Fish watching

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Fisch unter der Wasseroberfläche mit 3 beispielhaften Lichtstrahlen.

The light emanating from the fish is refracted away from the normal on the water surface. The greater the entrance angle, the greater is the refraction. If the light hits the boundary of the medium perpendicularly, it will pass through in a straight line.

The rays of light emanating from the fish are refracted at the surface of the water before they fall into our eyes. If we watch something in the water from above, the rays of light do not fall into our eyes straightly. Because of the refraction the objects seem to be at a different position. Due to the fact that our perception does not recognise the refraction, it looks like the fish would be a bit further above in the water and a bit bigger.

Roll your mouse over the picture to see the path of rays being perceived by the brain.

Seitliche Ansicht: Fisch unter der Wasseroberfläche, mit eingezeichnetem Lichtstrahlenverlauf, welche offenbaren, dass die tatsächliche Positionen von der wahrgenommen Position des Fisches abweicht.

In the side view you see the fish at the yellow and actual position whereas it is seen at the orange position in the view from above. (Of course the fish does not change its colour thereby.)



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