Computer-graphics analysis of atmospheric refraction

Abstract

Interactive computer graphics is applied to the transmission of visual images through the lower atmosphere. The required input data to the computer consist of an atmospheric temperature profile and light-pen sketches of three objects at various distances from the observer. A transfer characteristic, computed from a bundle of rays leaving the observer, maps each object’s actual location into a corresponding image. The three images, and the horizon line, are then simultaneously displayed on the graphics terminal, thus generating a pictoral version of what the observer would see. This program provides an essential aid to the study of atmospheric refraction.