Question - Atmospheric Perspective

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    Atmospheric Perspective
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on atmospheric perspective and its effects on visual perception, particularly in art. It establishes that objects appear lighter in hue at greater distances due to light scattering and absorption by the atmosphere. In a vacuum, such as outer space, atmospheric perspective does not apply, although space dust can create similar visual effects. Participants clarify that even in seemingly clear conditions, the atmosphere affects light transmission, akin to viewing through fog.

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  • Understanding of atmospheric perspective in art
  • Basic knowledge of light behavior and scattering
  • Familiarity with visual perception principles
  • Concept of vacuum and its implications on light transmission
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  • Research the physics of light scattering in different mediums
  • Explore the effects of atmospheric conditions on color perception
  • Study the role of space dust in visual phenomena
  • Investigate techniques for depicting atmospheric perspective in art
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Artists, physicists, and anyone interested in the interplay between light, atmosphere, and visual perception.

hannaheart13
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Hello! Please excuse me if I posted this in the wrong place. I've never been too good at these forum things, but I did have a question about atmospheric perspective that I believe has more to do with physics than any other category on the forum.

While doing a personal artistic study on perspective, I came to learn that the reason objects further in space appear lighter in hue is because of the friction in the air that the light particles have to travel through. Therefore, the more air the light has to travel through, the lighter the object in the distance appears. This made me wonder, if I were to look at an object in a frictionless vacuum such as outer space, would atmospheric perspective still apply to what I'm seeing? My initial thought would be "no", but then I really wasn't sure. Being raised on Earth, it's hard to imagine looking at objects in the distance where atmospheric perspective wouldn't apply. So what do you think?
 
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Welcome to PF.

That's not quite it. The atmosphere isn't completely transparent even when it looks like it over short distances. So the further away something is, the more light from it is absorbed or reflected and the more light from other directions is reflected toward you. It is exactly like looking through fog.

In space, this phenomena mostly doesn't apply, but there are times when space dust will provide a similar effect.
 
Oh yes, that actually makes perfect sense! Seems like something that should have been obvious since the word atmosphere is a key component there haha. Oh well :) Thank you for the information!
 

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