1. What is the View Distance Formula?

The view distance formula calculates how far an observer can see to the horizon based on their height above the Earth's surface and the Earth's radius. It accounts for the curvature of the Earth in determining visibility.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the view distance formula:

Where:

• \( d \) — View distance (meters)
• \( R \) — Earth's radius (default 6,371,000 meters)
• \( h \) — Observer's height above surface (meters)

Explanation: The formula calculates the distance to the horizon by considering the observer's height and the Earth's curvature.

3. Importance of View Distance Calculation

Details: This calculation is essential for navigation, aviation, radio communications, and understanding visual limitations due to Earth's curvature.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter Earth's radius (default is set to 6,371,000 meters) and observer height in meters. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does Earth's curvature affect view distance?
A: The curvature creates a horizon beyond which objects are obscured by the Earth's surface.

Q2: How accurate is this formula?
A: It provides a good approximation for ideal conditions without atmospheric refraction.

Q3: Does atmospheric refraction affect view distance?
A: Yes, refraction typically increases view distance by about 8% by bending light around the curvature.

Q4: What's the view distance for a person standing at sea level?
A: For an average eye height of 1.7 meters, view distance is about 4.7 km (without refraction).

Q5: How does height affect view distance?
A: View distance increases with the square root of height - doubling height increases distance by about 41%.