Point 3. you answered with point 2

yes, i am aware of this...

Refraction is not something that can bring a solid object back into view. It can on the other hand obscure the view of a solid object.

i am talking about atmospheric refraction:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmospheric_refraction#/media/File:Atmospheric_refraction_-_sunset_and_sunrise.png

Point 3. you answered with point 2

yes, i am aware of this...

Refraction is not something that can bring a solid object back into view. It can on the other hand obscure the view of a solid object.

i suspect refraction can do both - to some degree - depending on the weather, etc., but i do believe that light bending around the curvature of the earth would EXTEND one's view across a horizon - and not diminish the view. so perhaps we are talking about two different things.