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Picture the fabric of spacetime as described by Einstein; bending around dense objects. Light on Earth curves because of the Earth's gravity, the way Earth warps spacetime. While you hear the bending of light mentioned most often in relation to black holes, any gravitational field can affect light - although not as much as near a black hole!

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Light curves on Earth due to the planet's curvature. As light travels through the atmosphere, it refracts (bends) slightly. This refraction causes the light to curve downward, following the Earth's surface rather than traveling in a straight line.

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9mo ago
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Light can curve under gravitational force, this has been observed with light from stars, and is predicted by relativity

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16y ago
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Q: Why does light curve on the earth?
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How can you curve light?

Light travels in straight lines on earth, so you can change its angle by refraction but not curve it. However over interstellar distances it has been observed that light is bent by gravitation.


What is a light curve and how can it be used to identify a nova or supernova?

A light curve is a graph showing the brightness of an astronomical object over time. In the case of novae or supernovae, their light curves exhibit a rapid increase in brightness followed by a gradual decrease. By analyzing the shape and characteristics of the light curve, astronomers can determine the type and nature of the astronomical event, helping to identify whether it is a nova or a supernova.


What is the path of earths orbit is in the shape of an elongated closed curve called and what?

The path of Earth's orbit in the shape of an elongated closed curve is called an ellipse. An ellipse is a type of geometric shape that resembles an elongated circle, with two focal points inside the curve. This shape is a result of the gravitational forces between Earth and the Sun.


What is it called when winds curve?

When winds curve due to the Earth's rotation, it is called the Coriolis effect. This effect causes winds to deflect to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.


What is it called when the earth makes wind blow in a curve?

Its the Coriolis effect. In fact, the wind is trying to blow straight and the earth is turning under it in a circular motion. The resulting path of the wind on the earth is a curved line.