dorsal/arxiv
View SchemaFlatness of the setting Sun
| Authors | Z. Neda, S. Volkan |
|---|---|
| Categories | |
| ArXiv ID | physics/0204060 |
| URL | https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0204060 |
| DOI | 10.1119/1.1533054 |
Abstract
Atmospheric refraction is responsible for the bending of light-rays in the atmosphere. It is a result of the continuous decrease in the refractive index of the air as a function of altitude. A well-known consequence of this phenomenon is the apparently elliptic shape of the setting or rising Sun (or full-Moon). In the present paper we systematically investigate this phenomenon in a standard atmosphere. Theoretical and numerical calculations are compared with experimental data. The asymmetric rim of the Sun is computed as a function of its inclination angle, observational height and meteorological conditions characterized by pressure, temperature and lapse-rate. We reveal and illustrate some extreme and highly unusual situations.
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"abstract": "Atmospheric refraction is responsible for the bending of light-rays in the\natmosphere. It is a result of the continuous decrease in the refractive index\nof the air as a function of altitude. A well-known consequence of this\nphenomenon is the apparently elliptic shape of the setting or rising Sun (or\nfull-Moon). In the present paper we systematically investigate this phenomenon\nin a standard atmosphere. Theoretical and numerical calculations are compared\nwith experimental data. The asymmetric rim of the Sun is computed as a function\nof its inclination angle, observational height and meteorological conditions\ncharacterized by pressure, temperature and lapse-rate. We reveal and illustrate\nsome extreme and highly unusual situations.",
"arxiv_id": "physics/0204060",
"authors": [
"Z. Neda",
"S. Volkan"
],
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"doi": "10.1119/1.1533054",
"title": "Flatness of the setting Sun",
"url": "https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0204060"
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