When we try to watch the Sun above us, it turns into Usain Bolt, right? What do you think, is this because he realizes he is being watched or is it some kind of illusion?
If you have wondered the secret behind this optical illusion that the Sun creates while watching the sunset with your loved ones or alone in the evening, let’s go into details to find out the real reason!
This phenomenon is a result of atmospheric conditions.
The reason why the Sun suddenly appears to be moving very fast while watching the sunset is actually an optical illusion. As the sun sets or rises, certain events occur as light is refracted and scattered by the effects of gases and particles in different layers of the atmosphere. This refraction and scattering in the atmosphere creates some visual effects on us regarding the position of the Sun.
Since the air layers in the atmosphere, especially the lower parts of the atmosphere, are denser, the Sun’s light is refracted more there. This causes color changes and optical deformations in the sky as the Sun approaches or moves away from the horizon. This refraction in the lower atmosphere can also cause the Sun to appear golden and appear larger.
The sun passes through different densities of the atmosphere as it rises and sets.
Particles in the atmosphere also play an active role in this process and scatter more light, especially in low-frequency red and orange tones. Refraction of light also creates the perception that the Sun is moving slower or faster than it is lower or higher.
Sunlight has different wavelengths, and gases in the atmosphere refract this light by scattering it at different wavelengths. Red and orange tones at lower wavelengths scatter less than other colors. This causes sunlight to appear in more red and orange tones at sunset.
As the Sun approaches and moves away from the horizon, optical events in the atmosphere become more evident. Because this depends on the changes in the interaction of light with the atmosphere.
Since the refraction phenomenon we mentioned is more evident especially in the horizontal direction, it increases its effect even more when watching the horizontal movement of the Sun. When the color changes in the sky and these optical events in the atmosphere come together, they make us think that the Sun is saying, “The show is over, I have to go home.” The answer to this illusion is actually that simple!
In other words, the Sun does not accelerate as it sets; The atmosphere alone adds a humorous touch to the daily movement of this great star of ours in the sky!
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