Horizon Distance
The distance to the horizon is directly related to the observer's height above sea level. For example, an observer at eye level (2 meters height) can see approximately 5 kilometers to the horizon under standard atmospheric conditions.
Ship Visibility
As a ship sails beyond the horizon, it disappears from bottom to top in a predictable sequence. First the hull vanishes, followed by the lower superstructure, and finally the highest elements like funnels, masts, and antennas remain visible the longest.
Telescope Effect
The telescope view magnifies the image, allowing for clearer observation of the ship's details. However, it's important to note that optical magnification cannot reveal portions of the ship that are geometrically hidden below the horizon.
Atmospheric Refraction
Light bends slightly as it passes through Earth's atmosphere, effectively extending visibility beyond the geometric horizon. Under standard conditions (k=1.33), this atmospheric refraction increases the visible distance by approximately 15% compared to purely geometric calculations.
Interactive Exploration
Use the controls above to adjust observer height, ship height, distance, and atmospheric conditions to see how these factors affect visibility. The 3D visualization shows the mathematical relationship between these variables.
This demonstration illustrates how a ship gradually disappears below the horizon as it sails away from an observer, providing visual evidence of Earth's curvature.
