How Far Can You See on Flat Ground
- Habitation
- News
- Lifes-niggling-mysteries
How far away is the horizon?
On a articulate day, you can see for miles and miles and miles.
The one-time saying turns out to be just virtually true. For a half-dozen-foot (182.88 centimeters) tall person, the horizon is a little more than 3 miles (5 kilometers) away.
Geometry tells usa that the distance of the horizon – i.e. the farthest indicate the center can run across before Earth curves out beneath our view – depends just on the height of the observer. For instance, if you stood atop Mountain Everest (which is 29,029 feet, or eight,848 meters tall), the horizon would be about 230 miles (370 km) abroad.
Related: What's an air pocket?
Add the result of refraction, which bends rays of light every bit they pass through the temper, and the horizon is even further. Cold weather condition increases the amount of atmospheric refraction, then in a particularly frosty location such as Antarctica people accept been able to see hundreds of miles away.
Plus, since clouds hover in a higher place ground level, they can be seen to further distances than features on Earth's surface.
But just equally atmospheric condition sometimes aids our view, it tin can besides hinder information technology. Fog and scattered light can limit visibility to below what you lot could expect based on superlative. And of course, topography plays a role – even the best viewing atmospheric condition aren't much expert if there's a big fat mountain in your manner (though the view might be pleasing anyway).
Originally published on Alive Scientific discipline.
For the scientific discipline geek in everyone, Live Science offers a fascinating window into the natural and technological world, delivering comprehensive and compelling news and analysis on everything from dinosaur discoveries, archaeological finds and astonishing animals to health, innovation and vesture engineering science. Nosotros aim to empower and inspire our readers with the tools needed to empathize the globe and capeesh its everyday awe.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/32111-how-far-away-is-the-horizon.html
Postar um comentário for "How Far Can You See on Flat Ground"