So with FET is it some kind of astonishing coincidence that a series of factors such ... always makes them appear round instead of an ellipse when not straight overhead
And the sun always appears round even when not being overhead? Have you ever observed a sunset?
You are only helping me show that the sun isn't a ball.
Forgot to reply. I guess I've been slacking.
Anyway, have you ever observed a disk from an angle?
Nice examples of a superior mirage/refraction of light. You can see the same thing with ships, buildings, and such of a distance of a couple miles. I've posted pictures of that before.
Now at the angle above the horizon that the sun is in those pictures you posted, how far away would it need to be? Unless the light is somehow bending around in a huge curve from the other side of the disk, the sun would be somewhere beyond the "icewall" if that light is traveling a path anywhere near 'straight'. If the light is bending around the long way from the other side of the disk, what blocks the light that should be seen from straight across?