I'm not sure yet what you mean or why it matters but I'm interested, if you could please elaborate?
In case we don't come to agreement on the Coriolis effect problem, I encourage you to experiment the distant landmark example for yourself sometime
No theory or physics involved, really
Just some trigonometry
Measure distance between yourself and the distant object using Google Maps and then punch the distance into an earth curvature calculator to get the amount of curve or drop there should be
At 25kms, easily visible with the naked eye, there should already be appx 150ft of drop, meaning anything shorter than 150ft would be 100% blocked from view
You'll instead find that you're staring at 100% of the distant landmark; zero drop
We have examples much further than this were the object should be blocked by an entire mile of earth
At some point you will be limited due to the atmosphere, regardless of your optical zoom
I have has this conversation a few times since I was little... there are actually a few factors which affect how far you can see. But since I only have a few minutes, I will try to keep it simple. Light curves around the edges of a sphere, in addition, atmospheric conditions can create a lense effect. If on the water, an shoreline 200 miles away, can be seen if there is enough humidity. Light reflecting off the water will reflect into the atmosphere making the waterline appear farther. The atmospheric lense effect makes the shoreline or city appear closer at the same time.
Coriolis effect example doesn't work if you account for sea level
I'm not sure yet what you mean or why it matters but I'm interested, if you could please elaborate?
In case we don't come to agreement on the Coriolis effect problem, I encourage you to experiment the distant landmark example for yourself sometime
No theory or physics involved, really
Just some trigonometry
Measure distance between yourself and the distant object using Google Maps and then punch the distance into an earth curvature calculator to get the amount of curve or drop there should be
At 25kms, easily visible with the naked eye, there should already be appx 150ft of drop, meaning anything shorter than 150ft would be 100% blocked from view
You'll instead find that you're staring at 100% of the distant landmark; zero drop
We have examples much further than this were the object should be blocked by an entire mile of earth
At some point you will be limited due to the atmosphere, regardless of your optical zoom
Bring binoculars if you have them
I have has this conversation a few times since I was little... there are actually a few factors which affect how far you can see. But since I only have a few minutes, I will try to keep it simple. Light curves around the edges of a sphere, in addition, atmospheric conditions can create a lense effect. If on the water, an shoreline 200 miles away, can be seen if there is enough humidity. Light reflecting off the water will reflect into the atmosphere making the waterline appear farther. The atmospheric lense effect makes the shoreline or city appear closer at the same time.