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Which limitation affected astrolabe accuracy when measuring star altitudes near the horizon?

A)Atmospheric refraction causing angular distortion
B)Parallax error due to Earth's orbital motion
C)Instrument flexure under its own weight
D)Magnetic declination affecting alignment

💡 Explanation

When observing stars near the horizon, atmospheric refraction occurs because the bending of light rays passing through the atmosphere increases significantly, causing stars to appear higher than their actual position. Therefore angular distortion increases, rather than parallax, flexure, or magnetic errors that are less prominent at these conditions.

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