So I'm just back from a jaunt through the woods adjacent to my home on this bright sunny fall day, and at 1:45 PM E.D.T. I notice something strange (perhaps waking up for the first time in my life?) The shadows of the trees on the southeastern part of the property (the house faces southwest if that matters) are being cast to the north and slightly to the east while the shadows of the trees about 60 feet away on the southwestern part of the property are still being cast north and slightly west. Isn't the sun far enough away that the 60 feet should make no real difference? I'm looking for a serious answer here, really, don't just tell me to go back to sleep.
2006-10-08 07:19:14 · 8 answers · asked by Seeker 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Yes, I viewed both at the same time.
No, there was no other light source.
The ground slopes slightly upward, toward the north about equally in both spots.
Gotta tell you, I'm mighty perplexed here.
2006-10-08 08:04:53 · update #1
Oh, and before someone thinks to ask, I wasn't drinking alcohol or on drugs.
2006-10-08 08:06:39 · update #2
By what mechanism does slope of ground come into play and become a factor here? I can understand it producing a change of magnitude, i.e., an upward slope resulting in a foreshortened shadow and a downward slope a longer shadow relative to that produced on flat ground. But a vector change, a change in direction? Is that possible?
2006-10-10 05:26:56 · update #3
Please go and very carefully measure the angles at which the ground is sloping with a spirit level, and the direction of the slope with a compass. Then measure the angle of the shadows with a compass. Until you confirm both places slope at exactly the same angle in exactly the same direction, you cannot ask this question. I am sure you will find things are not quite as equal as you think. The rays of light from the sun will always produce parallel lines of shadow on a perfectly flat surface from perfectly vertical objects.
2006-10-15 01:27:07 · answer #1 · answered by simon r 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If both areas are sloped in say the X axis at the same slope value but one is even a little more slopped in the Y axis, even just a little, it may show the shadow difference you are seeing.
If that doesn't help, take a look at the width of the shadows compared to the trees and compare then to the trees, if there is a difference then there may be proof of a slope difference to some degree.
If that doesn't work, check out the gravity hill phenomenon. Not just rolling thins uphill, but some locations will make thins look different heights even when parallel. You may have this uncommon phenomenon present in your woods. It could very well be your issue.
You should take some photos, and send me them :)
2006-10-11 15:36:58 · answer #2 · answered by whoevermeam 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the Sun is far enough away (93 million miles/150 million kilometers/8.5 light-minutes) that the light waves hitting the Earth are pretty much parallel with each other.
My guess is that what you saw could have been an optical illusion where the shadows merely seemed to be at a different angle, or the shadows were caused by another light source.
2006-10-08 07:29:57 · answer #3 · answered by Logan 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The only explanation that I can think of is the slant of the ground that the shadow is being cast on... i'm betting that the ground on one part slopes differently than at the other part... this would explain why the shadows would look different.
2006-10-08 12:05:03 · answer #4 · answered by Brooks B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can think of two things that could cause this. One is perspective - the effect that makes parallel lines appear to converge in the distance. The other is the slope of the ground the shadows fall on.
2006-10-08 07:44:18 · answer #5 · answered by injanier 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Very strange, no other source of light?
Did you observe them at the same time or was there a time gap. this would account for the slight difference in the angle of the shadows. Either that or we are in deep trouble.
Yes, if the ground has a varying slope to it, that would account for the different directions of the shadows. thanks answerer above me!
2006-10-08 07:46:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm guessing that the shadows are being cast from different lights, there is probably a light near the trees that is out of your sight, or maybe a light near the houses, hope that helps.
2006-10-08 07:30:05 · answer #7 · answered by abebibobub2003 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A glitch in the Matrix, my dear friend Marko, a simple glitch in the Matrix! :-)
No, but seriously, and given everything you are saying here is the fact, then I would basically agree with our "injanier" friend's observations (even though he spells his name incorrectly ...lol).
2006-10-09 11:30:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋