Tagged Questions
2
votes
2answers
28 views
Penetration of light in the atmosphere
While I was considering an answer to this question, I wondered how much light that enters the atmosphere reaches the ground without colliding with air molecules—if any. I've taken a good bit of ...
2
votes
1answer
132 views
What is the cause of orange sky glow?
I live in the Netherlands and recently I have been seeing an orange glow in the sky at night, in the northwestern direction. What is the cause of this? And why is it in the northwestern direction (I ...
8
votes
1answer
240 views
What causes a ring-like image around light of the moon?
I just encountered an interesting image in sky.
As you can see in following images there was a ring-like image around light of the moon.
I don't know if it was clouds but it was looking like it is far ...
3
votes
1answer
68 views
image distortion when taking a picture from space
I'm trying to understand if there is a distortion of an image taken from space (i.e. from a satellite), and if there is, then how to model it mathematically (depending on the angle in which we take ...
2
votes
2answers
939 views
If blue light has a higher energy than red light, why does it scatter more?
As $E=hf=\frac{hc}{\lambda}$, blue light - with a smaller wavelength - should have a higher energy. However, it is the case that blue light scatters the most. Why is it that higher energy rays scatter ...
6
votes
1answer
471 views
What does the Rayleigh Phase Function tell us
I am working on some radiative transfer equations, and struggling as I'm fairly new to this field. I have read about the Rayleigh Phase Function which is:
$P(\theta) = \frac{3}{4}(1 + cos^2 \theta)$
...
6
votes
2answers
250 views
Is apparent horizon curvature lesser due to refraction of light in the atmosphere?
I have encountered this claim while searching for sources answering " Can we see the curvature of earth from the top of world's tallest building? ".
Wikipedia article on horizon claims (with no ...
10
votes
5answers
9k views
Why does the road look like it's wet on hot days?
Often, I'll be driving down the road on a summer day, and as I look ahead toward the horizon, I notice that the road looks like there's a puddle of water on it, or that it was somehow wet. Of course, ...
