the sun only looks like it's setting because it gets too far away.
Imagine what a large plane would look like if it flew directly over your head and continued flying straight. It would look like that plane came up from the horizon behind you, zipped over, and then set in front.
One could put together a 3D simulation of a large sphere moving overhead and it would look like the sun was setting as it disappeared over the horizon, even though it continued moving in a straight line.
The globe earth theory "makes sense" to people because it's all we've ever been told. And it fits enough to seem plausible.
Hmmm I guess I'll take a closer look next time I see a plane. 🤔 thanks tho
The plane example probably isn't the best because any plane you're going to see is small from ones perspective.
Try to visualize a large sphere passing over you. Now imagine what happens to that sphere as it continue moving over a flat plane. It will get smaller and smaller until it disappears from view. That disappearing isn't instant, it's a gradual shrinking until it's out of sight.
Example
Notice how the angle of ascent from the ground to the sun decreases at the sun moves away? The sun stayed moving straight along a flat plane, and yet from your perspective the sun moved DOWN towards the horizon.
Hope that helps
Think I'm going to make that drive again.
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