Name the phenomenon due to which the stars seem higher in the sky than they actually are.


Atmospheric refraction is the phenomenon due to which the stars seem higher in the sky than they actually are.

Explanation

When the light coming from the star enters the earth's atmosphere, it gets refracted (bent), as it leaves space (a vacuum). In the atmosphere air higher up in the sky is rarer but nearer the earth's surface, it is denser. Thus, as the light from the star comes down, the dense air bends the light more. Hence, due to this refraction of star's light, the star appears to be at a higher position than it actually is.


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Updated on: 10-Oct-2022

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