[watermoose]

This explanation dismisses refraction because it assumes the atmosphere is of a single consistency. The atmosphere is composed of different types of elements at different densities and temperatures depending on altitude, etc.

Also, our atmosphere contains an ionosphere where electrons, which are involved in light propogation, could bend the light more depending on the amount of ionosphere the light must travel through on the way to our eyes.

It's strange to me that these things were not discussed.

[alkonaut]

Any atmospheric effect is dismissed early on because (for example) the illusion isn't visible in photographs. See picture in the atticle. It also disappears if you hang upside down when you view the sky. Also in the article.

[sratner]

It dismisses refraction because the size difference is not captured by a camera or other instruments.