Which observational distortion complicated astronomical calculations performed using astrolabes during the medieval era?

💡 Explanation

When observing stars through Earth's atmosphere with astrolabes, atmospheric refraction occurs because the varying density of air bends light, thus changing apparent positions and leading to inaccurate celestial measurements. Therefore atmospheric refraction posed a challenge, rather than parallax, lensing or time dilation which require modern instruments or relativistic effects.

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