What is the name for the phenomenon where atmospheric path length dims stars near the horizon due to scattering?
Answer
Atmospheric Extinction
Atmospheric Extinction is the specific term used to describe the dimming of starlight caused by the atmosphere acting as a filter. When observing stars near the horizon, the light must traverse a much thicker column of air compared to looking directly overhead (the zenith). This increased path length causes scattering of light by atmospheric constituents, resulting in the effective dimming or invisibility of fainter celestial objects along that line of sight.
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