Help me answer this, please.

A friend of mine is arguing that the sun cannot be close, let's say 3100 miles up and 4500 miles away from the observer at sunset, because it would never be below 35 degrees and never "set" on the horizon.

He used this basic argument.

According to the videos the sun is 4500 miles away from the observer at sunset and 3100 miles above the ground on flatearth. 

These form the 2 legs of a right triangle.

The hypotenuse of this triangle (the line between the observer and the sun) is 5500 miles.

The angle between the hypotenuse and the bottom leg is 35 degrees.

www.calculator.net/triangle-calculator.html?vc=&vx=&vy=3100&va=&vz=4500&vb=90&angleunits=d&x=44&y=15

What do you think is missing here?

Perspective and light refraction. 

Perspective and light refraction.

That's what I thought, but doesn't a 35 degree angle seem like a lot for refraction?

'Seems like a lot' is a subjective statement. 

'Seems like a lot' is a subjective statement.

Agreed.

Can you give me a little more insight into your thought process.

How much refraction are we talking about? I've seen various figures at sunset on the standard model quoting .6 but I'm not sure what would be the best way to explain the issue.

I mean, his contention is that the sun would never be low enough on the horizon to actually appear to "set" at all, if it were at a 35 degree angle from the observer.

What's your take on this?

With the FET, sunset and sunrise would simply be impossible. No amount of light refraction or perspective would change that.

With the FET, sunset and sunrise would simply be impossible. No amount of light refraction or perspective would change that.

Can you provide evidence for these outlandish claims? 

How about we try something different. You love to dodge evidence, (I've been reading around the forum). How about you provide evidence that explains otherwise.

How about we try something different. You love to dodge evidence, (I've been reading around the forum). How about you provide evidence that explains otherwise.

You are the one who made the statement.  I am sorry if you can't support your claims, but you can't defend your claims by demanding that others prove you wrong.  You would make a terrible lawyer.  I hope you stick to ringing up customers at the gas station as your profession of choice. 

And there was have the infamous jroa beginning with the insults. Someone needs to moderate you Mr. Moderator

I see that you still can not support your statements.