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How to Use the Atmospheric Refraction Sunset 3D Explorer - Step by Step


Open the Atmospheric Refraction Sunset 3D Explorer, drag the "Sun's true altitude" slider or press "Play sunset" toward the horizon, and watch the true marker and the apparent disk pull apart.


Move the Sun toward the horizon

Drag the "Sun's true altitude" slider, or press "Play sunset" to lower it automatically from a few degrees above the horizon to well below it.


Watch the true marker separate from the apparent disk

The faint dashed ring is the Sun's true (geometric) direction; the bright disk is what your eye actually sees. As altitude nears zero, the disk visibly lifts above the marker and flattens into an oval.


Watch for the green flash window

Near the horizon crossing, the facts panel calls out a "green flash window" - the brief moment the last visible sliver of the upper limb can flash green.


Toggle clean, stable air

Press "Clean, stable air" to widen the green-flash window and slightly exaggerate the flattening, matching how mirage-friendly conditions make the flash easier to catch.


Drag to orbit and use fullscreen

Drag to orbit the camera, scroll or pinch to zoom, and use the Fullscreen button to expand the whole wrapper for a clearer view.

Next: see when to use this explorer or how it compares to the Twilight Types 3D Explorer.

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