"Paris, Leonard" wrote:
>
> Yes, refraction will do that. But, here's a question for you. Do we know
> that the moon is perfectly spherical to begin with? I know that the earth
> is not.
>
> Len
It would be pretty hard to detect the non-spherical nature of the earth
visually - the difference in polar and equatorial radii is only about
one part in three hundred.
While the moon is, no doubt, not perfecty spherical, the same reference
works that describe the earth as an ellipsoid do call the moon spherical.
As it has a much lower rotational frequency there are less forces working
to distort the moon from a spherical shape. It has much greater rigidity
than the earth, as well.
--
John Francis [EMAIL PROTECTED] Silicon Graphics, Inc.
(650)933-8295 2011 N. Shoreline Blvd. MS 43U-991
(650)932-0828 (Fax) Mountain View, CA 94043-1389
Hello. My name is Darth Vader. I am your father. Prepare to die.
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