for long distances

preferrably

Yup

have you noticed things far off in the distance you couldn't see before come into view?

because there are hills and buildings

Thats because all objects at sharp angles form into a horizon and the angle between the top and bottom of objects are not the same

Then you have obtical effects and other factors

that sounds similar, hills and buildings are larger in angle when close up

and yeah

have you noticed that objects far away near the horizon become much lower from the horizon when you get close to it?

it's not very noticeable, it supposedly happens

but there must be refraction whether it's flat or globe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyN5aLRnZ-E

here, an 8 hour long car drive

going pretty straight

you can see that objects in the horizon get closer

Refraction tends to bend down unless there are heat waves or humidity that can cause heavy miraging

what causes the refraction?

dielectric responses in materials/air

The standard refraction model basically mimics angular resolution

is the sun above or inside the atmosphere?

What causes refraction? A change in medium

from which medium to which medium?

it can be a continuously changing medium

Atmospheric particles bend the light similar to .. a process of drag

Sometimes the heat and wind can lift the image and wobble it

Hmmm 🤔

Kind like how a paper bag moves in the wind

Angular size and refraction can be entirely separated as two different concepts

i don't think refraction can explain how much the horizon moves

refraction has a limit on how much the light will bend

we are saying they're separate albert

I agree, thats why i dont believe in the globe

The horizon is a property of a perspective matrix closing into a vanishing point combined with minor refraction

The horizon is literally caused by your sharp angle to the surface

why does refraction have a limit?

and i think i do agree that usually the main effect of horizon is angular size

Because there is an angle where light is absorbed or reflected. Refraction is super tricky i dont even want to pretend i am an expert

However let me source a great video for you

there is total internal reflection but

i don't think that would put a limit on how much it can bend in the atmosphere