látótávolságszámítás

Látótávolságszámítás refers to the calculation of the distance to the horizon. This calculation is fundamental in fields such as astronomy, surveying, navigation, and optics. The visible horizon is the line where the sky appears to meet the surface of the Earth, and its distance is dependent on the observer's height above the ground and the curvature of the Earth.

The simplest formula for calculating the distance to the horizon, assuming a perfectly spherical Earth and neglecting atmospheric refraction, is d = sqrt(2 * R * h), where 'd' is the distance to the horizon, 'R' is the radius of the Earth, and 'h' is the height of the observer above sea level. For a spherical Earth with an average radius of approximately 6,371 kilometers, and an observer at a height of 10 meters, the distance to the horizon is about 11.3 kilometers.

Atmospheric refraction can affect the perceived horizon. Refraction bends light rays, making distant objects appear higher than they actually are. This effect effectively extends the visible horizon beyond the geometric horizon. The standard formula often incorporates a correction factor for average atmospheric conditions, which can increase the calculated distance by approximately 8-15%.

In practical applications, surveyors use these calculations for setting out lines of sight and determining visibility over terrain. Navigators, especially at sea, rely on the distance to the horizon to estimate their position and the range of visibility. Astronomers use similar principles when considering atmospheric effects on observations. The concept is crucial for understanding the limits of human and instrumental perception of distant objects on Earth's surface.