I was recently talking to someone as we were looking out across the ocean about this. I wonder how far the very farthest point is that you can see (where the water meets the sky) supposing the weather is clear and everyhting.
2007-10-25 12:35:18 · 22 answers · asked by Hammond 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Geography
You can see as far as the eye can see. No, really, this is the answer.
If you want the math...Calculate the point where you stand...the rate of curvature on the earth...and based on that rate of curve how high is the "turning point" of the horizon based on your point of view. The distance between you and the point where the horizon begins curving is the farthest the eye can see.
2007-10-25 12:40:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
a few calculations.
i) you need to account for the curvature of the earth
ii) you need to account for any optical effects such as refraction
for a 6 foot person it is approximately 3 miles (4.8km) to the horizon
take 6 feet - less 2 inches for the eye height = 1.78m
distance to horizon approx sqrt(2*radius of earth plus height of eyes). Radius of earth 6378km
double that for two 6 footers looking at each other
plus add optical refraction effects
2007-10-25 13:05:44 · answer #2 · answered by elentophanes 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It depends on how high you are. In the old days the person in the crow's nest could see the furthest.
If you are a sea level is answer is 7 miles.
However you only need to get about 10 feet above sea level to see another mile.
2007-10-25 12:40:09 · answer #3 · answered by Dr. D 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
About 25 miles, depending on the tides etc. After that whatever is there drops below the line of sight (water level) due to the Earth's curvature.
2007-10-25 12:38:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Actually humans can typically see for 11 miles if its clear and you are at sea level. the higher u get off the ground, the greater distance you can look out.
2007-10-25 15:14:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Line of sight to the horizon for a 6 foot tall person at sea level is about 22 to 23 miles average.
2007-10-25 12:38:29 · answer #6 · answered by luckyaz128 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋
13 miles at sea level. The curvature of the Earth won't allow you to see farther.
2007-10-25 16:01:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
well im sure u can see a great distance, i live in connecticut, and i can look across the long island sound and see new york on a clear day, and the long island sound is about 20-25 miles across... so im sure u can see more than that
2007-10-25 12:38:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Wouldn't that be the horizon? It'll kind of look like it tapers off on the left and right just a bit.
2007-10-25 12:38:42 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
normally about 14 km, there are some special cases though.
If the air is very cold( -50 - -70 Celsius) then it will bend the light giving you the opportunity to see as far as 250 km. ( seen this one on discovery :) )
2007-10-25 12:41:36 · answer #10 · answered by Matei Stefan 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋