the picture looks exactly like a nomal sunset, but the semi-circle that is the actual sun is flipped across the horizon. Other than this it is an ordinary sunset. I was wondering if there was an explanation of this regarding physics (a cloud is acting as a lens, ect.) I know that this is not from reflection as the water is not smooth, but the image of the half-sun on the water is almost a perfect solid semi-circle
2007-02-21 11:25:35 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
This normally happens when the sun is setting past a cloud bank that cuts off the upper part of the sun, showing only the lower half. It can happen when a warm air inversion puts hot air near the ground under a layer of cold air under quiet conditions so the interface acts as a mirror. It is what is responsible for mirages.
2007-02-21 11:32:04 · answer #1 · answered by Mike1942f 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you sure that it isn't the sun very close to the horizon with a cloud obscuring the top half?
Or someone has Photoshopped the image?
2007-02-21 11:30:30 · answer #2 · answered by davidbgreensmith 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋