Question

Why do stars seem higher than they actually are? Illustrate your answer with the help of a diagram.

Answer 1

Stars seem higher than they actually are because of the phenomenon of atmospheric refraction. This can be understood with the help of given diagram. When the light from a star descends to the earth's surface, it passes through the different layers of the atmosphere. The atmospheric air at higher levels is rarer and the air near the earth's surface is denser, and the light from the star bends more sharply when it passes through the denser layer of air.