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

Due to the phenomenon of atmospheric refraction stars seem higher than they actually are. It can be understood with the help of a diagram given below.

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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