2007-08-04 06:29:12 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
According to the "Distance to Horizon Calculator," if your eyes are 6 ft. above sea level, the horizon is about 3.2 miles away.
The answer of course depends on how high you are above the ground (or water). Because of the earth's curvature, the higher up you are, the farther away the horizon is.
By drawing a diagram and using the Pythagorean theorem, you can show that the distance to the horizon is roughly proportional to the square root of your height. A good rough formula is:
distance in miles = sqrt(1.5 * height in feet)
So at a height of 6 feet you can see about 3 miles away. If you climb a small hill to 24 feet, you can see twice as far away.
This formula only works for heights which are small compared to the earth's radius. Also, it doesn't account for the refraction of the earth's atmosphere, which allows you to see a little bit "around the corner" where the earth curves.
2007-08-04 06:52:42 · answer #1 · answered by RickB 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Less than you might think. If you are six feet tall and stand with your toes in the water the sea horizon is about three miles. Anything beyond that is poking up over that horizon.
2007-08-04 13:44:05 · answer #2 · answered by lykovetos 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The sensible answer is that you can see about 15 miles to the horizon from a cliff (like Dover) about 60 feet (20M) high.
2007-08-04 20:42:05 · answer #3 · answered by R.E.M.E. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the surface of the Earth is curved you can only see for a few miles.
2007-08-04 13:38:06 · answer #4 · answered by goodgirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
60 miles or to the beginning of the horizon
2007-08-05 05:29:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the surface as well on your sight. as we know that the world is like an egg shape so the surface of see level cures and also your vision enters in space in which there is no object from which the light rays reflect and hit your retina. You see objects bcuz the light rays reflect from certain things and hit your retina or eye. Try to visualize the answer or e-mail me (shahbachas@yahoo.com).
2007-08-04 13:39:17 · answer #6 · answered by shahbachas 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
the horizon is seen at about 7 miles
2007-08-04 13:37:51 · answer #7 · answered by Jan Luv 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you have really good eyesite and the weather is clear, you can see to the horizon. However, if you have poor eyesite, or the weather is not clear (foggy or rainy or other such obstructions), you would only be able to see to the horizon.
2007-08-04 14:12:22 · answer #8 · answered by ngc7331 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
as far as you can see
2007-08-04 21:56:42 · answer #9 · answered by Zahi K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if i was at sea level right now i wouldn't see much as i would be several hundred feet beneath the ground
2007-08-04 13:33:26 · answer #10 · answered by Stephen M 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋