atmospheric refraction
atmospheric refraction, change in the direction of propagation of electromagnetic radiation or sound waves in traversing the atmosphere. Such changes are caused by gradients in the density of the air. See refraction.
Citation Information
Article Title:
atmospheric refraction
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
22 October 2013
Access Date:
February 22, 2025