X1-018 (2003/08/28)

The effect of the Earth's atmosphere on the apparent size and shape of objects

The effect of the refraction of light in the Earth's atmosphere on the apparent shape and size of objects is investigated. It is shown that the effect that objects look larger when they are near horizon, is a not a physical but a psychological effect, but the effect that objects look oblate when they are near horizon, is physical.

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