Weather tools
Atmospheric Refraction Calculator
Calculates the angle of atmospheric refraction, which is the bending of light rays as they pass through the Earth's atmosphere.
Before you use this tool
Use this if
- Calculates the angle of atmospheric refraction, which is the bending of light rays as they pass through the Earth's atmosphere.
- You want a calculation that exposes its formula: Refraction Correction ≈ 1.02 / tan(Apparent Altitude) (This is a simplified formula. More accurate models consider atmospheric pressure, temperature, and wavelength of light.)
- You already have Apparent Altitude values to enter.
Skip this if
- You need an official emergency alert or life-safety instruction.
- You need a certified professional forecast instead of a calculator estimate.
When to use or skip it
Use this if
- Calculates the angle of atmospheric refraction, which is the bending of light rays as they pass through the Earth's atmosphere.
- You want a calculation that exposes its formula: Refraction Correction ≈ 1.02 / tan(Apparent Altitude) (This is a simplified formula. More accurate models consider atmospheric pressure, temperature, and wavelength of light.)
- You already have Apparent Altitude values to enter.
Skip this if
- You need an official emergency alert or life-safety instruction.
- You need a certified professional forecast instead of a calculator estimate.