Did you ever notice that you can see further across the water than you thought possible? Others are noticing, too. Now you can easily calculate the drop below the horizon that a ship, lighthouse or city should be on the earths reportedly curved surface.
Renaissance mathematician, astronomer, and Catholic cleric Nicolaus Copernicus proposed a heliocentric model of earth and sun in the 16th century. Prior to then, people did not ignore their senses that the earth was stable because no one can feel that the surface of the earth is traveling 24,901 miles every 24 hours (1,038mph) while turning a quarter of a degree every minute.
Schools teach that we are spinning and orbiting the sun. Meanwhile, sailors and many people wonder why they can to see further than expected over oceans, lakes or canals with binoculars and telephoto lenses.
A recent picture by Michigan photographer Joshua Nowicki from atop the sand dunes of Stevensville, Michigan clearly shows downtown Chicago 60 miles away. How did he capture this image when the buildings are shorter than the drop below the horizon 60 miles across Lake Michigan?
Light deviates from a straight line only when traveling from one medium to another such as going from air to water or glass lenses. Humidity differences may reduce visibility, but will not bend light.
Here is a simple calculator that considers how far away the object is and your height above the water to calculate how far below the horizon it would be below the horizon on a spherical planet with a radius of 3963.19 miles.
Also a few some questions are offered which remain inexplicable within the heliocentric model, but can easily explained when considering the alternative.
Have fun with this app, your analysis and sharing your thoughts with others. Watch for important enhancements soon!