How does the sun “become” elliptical?

Posted on January 27, 2018 by Jim deMaine

As the sun sets, why does it appear elliptical? I’m sure you scientists know!

Sunset 1

Sunset 3

 

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1 Response to How does the sun “become” elliptical?

  1. William Calvin says:
    January 28, 2018 at 11:34 PM

    When within a solar diameter of the horizon, the sun may be already set–but it still appears above, thanks to refraction (bending) of the light’s path. But the bending is less for the sun’s top half, hence the distortion of shape.

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