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From: jwm@stdc.jhuapl.edu (James W. Meritt)
Newsgroups: talk.politics.misc,sci.misc
Subject: Re: The Last Word on Friedman, Sevener, and Cuba
Message-ID: <119@aplcomm.UUCP>
Date: 17 Mar 88 14:13:33 GMT
References: <3405@bloom-beacon.MIT.EDU> <3895@whuts.UUCP> <3588@bloom-beacon.MIT.EDU> <3904@whuts.UUCP> <3699@bloom-beacon.MIT.EDU> <3925@whuts.UUCP>
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Reply-To: jwm@stdc.jhuapl.edu.UUCP (James W. Meritt)
Organization: The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Lines: 41

In article <3925@whuts.UUCP> orb@whuts.UUCP (45263-SEVENER,T.J.) writes:
.    Refraction *only* occurs in a *non*uniform medium or when going from
.    one uniform medium to another.
.
.    To the extent that a medium such as a gas varies continuously in
.    one direction, i.e. decreased density as one leaves Earth, then
.    to that extent it will be continously refracted.
.    On the other hand, to the extent a medium is *uniform*, then light
.    will not be refracted *one iota*.

.  Both arguments have nothing to do with *refraction* which *only occurs*
.  from a *change* in medium, whether it's a change in gaseous density
.  or change in substance from air to water, air to glass, air to vacumn,
.  etc.


I notice that your references contain nothing on meterology.  Perhaps this
is a cause of your misunderstanding?

While refraction occurs only in a non-uniform medium, a large number
of people would contend that the atmosphere is not such a media.
Thousands of meterologist, for instance.  Anybody that observes things
through an atmosphere, and not straight up.  As evidence to this
non-uniformity, go outside and look at a hot road.  Do you "see" a
"puddle of water" (or in memory, have you?)? When you get there, it is
gone, yes?  (ok, sometimes it really is a puddle, I mean besides those!)
What you see there is the sky!  We have here light refracted dozens of degrees
in just a few feet of air!  And the atmosphere changes radically due to
temperature (note: Cuba is _VERY_ warm, I have seen 106, water temp in 80's.
This is a good gradient) and humidity (100% on water surface, less on
up.  Entire area is muggy, though). 

Are you sufficiently closed minded that you cannot admit there are
things about which you do not know, or sufficiently prideful that
you cannot "back out"?


Disclaimer: Individuals have opinions, organizations have policy.
            Therefore, these opinions are mine and not any organizations!
Q.E.D.
jwm@aplvax.jhuapl.edu 128.244.65.5