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boddynock
Learned Scribe
Belgium
258 Posts |
 Posted - 28 Aug 2007 : 14:00:44
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Because I live in one of the low lands I have a question about mountains  . Can someone tell me from how far you can spot mountains? I know it is a large distance but can someone give a more accurate range
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Jorkens
Great Reader
Norway
2950 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2007 : 14:29:40
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| Well as I cant see far without seeing mountains I am not much help here, but there are many factors that play in, such as the altitude of the surrounding lands, weather, air humidity and such, so one set answer is difficult. |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36797 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2007 : 14:56:49
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The size of the mountain is a factor, too.
I know from spending time in Colorado that you can see the Rockies from at least a couple of hours' drive away. But, as I recall, you can't see them from the entire state. So, I'd say you could see 15,000 ft mountains from prolly 200 miles away, but I don't know about how much further.
And keep in mind that I'm going entirely from memory. That trip was in 1984. |
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freyar
Learned Scribe
Canada
220 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2007 : 16:16:52
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Yeah, the specific answer will really depend on the conditions. In a dry environment, with tall mountains, you'd be able to see quite a distance.
Another factor is the size of the world, also (assuming spherical, like earth). |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2007 : 16:31:33
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| I don't really live near any big mountains myself either (polar ice caps moving back and forth acros the landscape during ica ages will do that), but from a holiday in Germany I remember that it's possible to see the Alps from the northern shore of Chiemsee in southern Bavaria (Bayern). |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
Terry Pratchett |
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Wooly Rupert
Master of Mischief
USA
36797 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2007 : 16:59:15
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quote:
Originally posted by Kajehase
I don't really live near any big mountains myself either (polar ice caps moving back and forth acros the landscape during ica ages will do that), but from a holiday in Germany I remember that it's possible to see the Alps from the northern shore of Chiemsee in southern Bavaria (Bayern).
Neither do I. The third highest mountain in Florida is Space Mountain -- the Disney ride! |
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boddynock
Learned Scribe
Belgium
258 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2007 : 17:17:59
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thanks for your comments guys. i really apreciate your help, I know it is a difficult question to answer :-)
Florida, I visited when I was about thirteen yours old :p |
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Kes_Alanadel
Learned Scribe
USA
326 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2007 : 17:23:43
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From where we live in the middle of the Willamette Valley, on a very clear day, we can see Mt. Hood (11,239 ft. elevation), 92 miles away (approx. distance), and the Three Sisters (North 10,085; Middle 10,047; and South 10,358) at 81 miles away.
But, if you cross the Cascades and are in the High Desert area of Eastern Oregon, from Prineville you can make out the Wallowa Mtns. on the border of Idaho (9,500+ in elevation) that are approx 180 miles away.
~Kes |
Ack! I seem to have too much blood in my coffee stream!
When did 'common sense' cease to be common? |
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Wenin
Senior Scribe
585 Posts |
Posted - 28 Aug 2007 : 21:03:17
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I live in Chicago, so not a mountain in sight. =) All I can offer is the following.
Pythagorean Theorem
h^2 = a^2 + b^2
Or
h^2 - b^2 = a^2
b = Radius of Earth = 3959 miles (20903520 feet) + observers elevation
h = Radius of Earth + mountain's elevation
a = Distance from observation point to the top of the mountain
10,000 ft mountain - visible within: 122 Miles
15,000 ft mountain - visible within: 150 Miles
20,000 ft mountain - visible within: 173 Miles
If the observer was at sea level.
Square Root Calculator (I don't think Window's calculator can do this, at least not in Win2000)
http://www.math.com/students/calculators/source/square-root.htm
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Edited by - Wenin on 28 Aug 2007 21:15:29 |
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Kajehase
Great Reader
Sweden
2104 Posts |
Posted - 29 Aug 2007 : 15:12:17
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| The level of pollution obviously play a part as well. I've a feeling there's quite a few places on earth today where it was possible to see "big things" further away 300 years ago than it is now. |
There is a rumour going around that I have found god. I think is unlikely because I have enough difficulty finding my keys, and there is empirical evidence that they exist.
Terry Pratchett |
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vision and mountains
