It might seem a stupid question but think about it. The sun is 150 million kilomters away from the sun. Which means that the Earth's inclined rotational (and relatively small) distance shifting our point of view from the sun should not have an effect on the sun's visible brightness. So what's the main reason?
2006-06-16 09:41:06 · 8 answers · asked by prabato 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
because at that time it is below the horizon and its rays are reflected to us by different layers of atmosphere.while comoing to us it is diffused
2006-06-16 09:47:53 · answer #1 · answered by angrydude 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you shine a light on a basketball (in the dark) you will see that the ball is not as well illuminated around the edge of where the light is striking the ball. The same applies to the Earth. Although, when looking at the light (or Sun) it doesn't matter so much from which point you're looking at it, you're still facing it and it facing you and it's brightness would be the same (relative to distance and obstructions).
The atmosphere does scatter some of the rays (think of light through water, atmosphere has the same effect but at a much lower amplitude). But the biggest impact is the fact that the Earth is not as well illuminated as in full Sun, which reinforces the illusion of the Sun being dimmer.
2006-06-16 11:49:45 · answer #2 · answered by Netchelandorious 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, even though it looks neat NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN!
Not without proper protection anyway.
The sun doesn't appear to be as bright when it's on the horizon because the light has more atmosphere to travel through. When the sun is on the horizon the light that reaches you travels more parallel to the surface of the Earth rather than perpendicular to it. The atmosphere is also filled with a lot of dust.
2006-06-16 14:52:54 · answer #3 · answered by minuteblue 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its due to the sunlight rays coming in contact with the earth at differant angels which cause the light to appear dimmer, but the sun doesnt actually change in brightness.
2006-06-16 18:19:17 · answer #4 · answered by maltease14 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has a less effective direct hit of sun beams on the Earth at those times
2006-06-16 10:13:57 · answer #5 · answered by Dave 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no faversham is right, it has to pass through a lot more atmosphere then when it is way over head, thats why in sunrise or set the sky can appear red, because going through so much atmosphere all the rays at the blue end of the spectrum get filtered out and only the red one get through (because they are longer waves).
2006-06-16 09:58:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the suns rays pass through more of the earths atmosphere when it's close to the horizon.
2006-06-16 09:46:26 · answer #7 · answered by faversham 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
bacuse during sunset & sun rise it's light come to earth not in a right angle.
2006-06-16 09:47:44 · answer #8 · answered by Ranoo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋