Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: neilep on 20/01/2005 13:01:21

Title: Can you see the earths curve atop a Mountain ?
Post by: neilep on 20/01/2005 13:01:21

hello,

At 29000ft, standing on top of Mount Everest, would I be able to see the Earths Curve, I think I've noticed it when flying at 35000ft......just curious that's all.

Thank you


'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'

Title: Re: Can you see the earths curve atop a Mountain ?
Post by: Corbeille on 20/01/2005 17:24:09

The earth's curve is noticable at sea-level if you have an uninterupted view of the horizon, for example - looking out to sea (like from my bedroom window!).
It's only a gentle curve but it's definitely noticable. I've no idea if 29,000 feet is high enough for it to look noticably a bit more of a curve. I suppose you can see further the higher up you go so that means you can see a wider horizon and therefore a more pronounced curve.

The view from Everest,-  http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap030831.html

- NASA's picture of the day shows a panarama which is rocky and jaggered and not good enough to discern a curve.



Mike



 Nah pop no style, a strictly roots!

Title: Re: Can you see the earths curve atop a Mountain ?
Post by: neilep on 20/01/2005 17:45:10

Thanks Chum...please post a piccy  of the view from your bedroom window so that I may flog myself with jealousy induced flagellation.

Thanks for your answers too.

Neil


ps: and that's a great picture link....wow !!

'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'

Title: Re: Can you see the earths curve atop a Mountain ?
Post by: chris on 21/01/2005 18:26:00

Indeed, one of the clues that gave the ancient Greeks the idea that the world must be round was that ships seemed to progressively disappear over the horizon until just the top of the mast was showing. As they weren't sinking, the ony way to explain the observation was to assume that, like the sun and the moon, the earth was round, not flat.

Chris

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx

Title: Re: Can you see the earths curve atop a Mountain ?
Post by: n/a on 12/02/2005 18:22:09

The earth curve is noticable from a little plane .... Or on sea as mentioned ... I supose a mountain is high enought.

Title: Re: Can you see the earths curve atop a Mountain ?
Post by: n/a on 12/02/2005 18:25:02

Also it must be easier to dicern it on relatively flat surface like sea (compared to the everst surrounding... ;))

Title: Re: Can you see the earths curve atop a Mountain ?
Post by: DrN on 15/02/2005 21:17:04

its noticable from the cliffs where i used to live, but I think I've only ever been in a plane when its been very cloudy :(

I guess what would be good would be to climb a mountain that was next to the sea.