# altitude and proximity to the sun

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/altitude-and-proximity-to-the-sun/34375>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [September 24, 2000, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/altitude-and-proximity-to-the-sun/34375 "2000-09-24T17:18:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![barbitu8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/839c29/32.png) [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2000, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/altitude-and-proximity-to-the-sun/34375/21 "2000-09-26T18:48:42Z")

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I don’t think it’s the quantity of atmosphere (troposhere or what not), but the quality. Near the ground, the air is more dense: more molecules of gas per square inch. The air gets “thinner” as you go up. With less molecules blocking the sunshine and reflecting it away, more rays get through to burn you faster.

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**Author:** ![Mr.Cynical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)\
**Post date:** [September 26, 2000, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/altitude-and-proximity-to-the-sun/34375/22 "2000-09-26T19:11:43Z")

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A hearty thanks to all of you. I just happened to be thinking about this while on a plane the other week, and in fact was discussing my theories on this matter over lunch today.

I’m glad to know that I was on the money!

Thanks!

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