What process allows us to see the Sun above the horizon before it has actually risen?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Refraction is the bending of light as it passes through a medium with different densities. In the case of the Sun, its light passes through the Earth's atmosphere, which has different densities at different altitudes. This causes the light to bend and appear higher in the sky than it actually is, allowing us to see it above the horizon even though it hasn't technically risen yet.

What Process Allows Us to See the Sun Above the Horizon