Demonstrations

Refracted Sun

Code Number :	6A42.42?
Disclaimer:	Reprinted by permission of Dick Berg, University of Maryland, for use on this website. The demonstrations contained and referenced herein are listed for the purposes of cataloging and describing physics demonstrations which should be conducted only under the direction of a trained instructional support professional or physicist. These demonstrations are not presented for the purpose of being conducted by persons unconnected to this Facility and/or persons not consulting with or being supervised by the recognized instructional support professional or physicist and his/her staff. The University is responsible only for those demonstrations carried out using its own equipment using established safety and scheduling policies, and bears no responsibility for those choosing to use this source material for their own purposes. All demonstrations described and contained herein are public domain, and can also be found in reference materials in libraries, bookstores, and electronic sources. Further information regarding legal liability in use of demonstrations and labs will be found on the web site Injuries in School/College Laboratories in USA. The University of Iowa Disclaimers: University of Iowa Disclaimer All Rights Reserved..
Condition :	Excellent
Principle :	Refraction by the Atmosphere
Area of Study :	Optics
Equipment :	Large book or block, orange "sun" golf ball, 2-L bottle filled with water
Procedure :	Place the golf ball behind that block. Put your eyes or the camera at a position just above the top of the block, and move the ball away from the block until you can just see the top of the ball. Place the water bottle on top of the block an notice that the ball can now be easily seen in the water bottle and at a higher position than before. This simulates looking through an extensive layer of the atmosphere when observing a rising or setting sun / moon near the east or west horizon.

References

Edward Pascuzzi, "Capturing the Anti-Sun", TPT, Vol. 35, # 9, Dec. 1997, p. 553.

F. Jaquin, K. Steele, and D. Hafemeister, "The Apparent Ellipticity of the Setting Sun", TPT, Vol. 20, # 6, Sept. 1982, p. 404 - 405.

Z. Neda, and S. Volkan-Kacso, "Flatness of the Setting Sun", AJP, Vol. 71, # 4, April 2003, p. 379.

Janice VanCleave, "41, Mirage", Astronomy for Every Kid, p. 90.

D.Tattersfield, 5.22, "Demonstration 2", Project & Demonstrations in Astronomy, p. 107.

Mail Questions and Comments to: Dale Stille