A Seemingly Square Sun . ... Credit Copyright: T. Polakis Explanation: Isn't the Sun round? Yes, but in the above picture, the Earth's atmosphere makes it appear almost square. Here a layer of air near the Earth was so warm it acted like a giant lens , creating increasingly distorted paths for sunlight to reach the camera. ... No matter how the Earth's atmosphere makes the Sun appear, the Sun will always be spherical. ... NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers . ...