Earth Curve Calculator

The Earth Curve Calculator allows users to calculate the earth’s curvature effects such as the curve drop, hidden height, visible height, and distance to the horizon based on specified distances and heights.

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Guide to Using the Earth Curve Calculator

This step-by-step guide will help you understand how to use the Earth Curve Calculator effectively. This tool is designed to calculate various aspects related to the curvature of the Earth based on distance, observer height, and target height.

Step 1: Input Distance

Begin by entering the distance between the observer and the target in the designated field:

  • Distance (miles): Use the input field labeled “Distance (miles)” to enter the distance. This is required and should be a number between 0 and 24,901 miles, with a precision of up to one decimal place.

Step 2: Input Observer Height

Next, input the height of the observer above the ground level:

  • Observer Height (feet): Enter this in the field labeled “Observer Height (feet)”. This field is required and accepts values between 0 and 1000 feet, also allowing decimals up to 0.1 for greater accuracy.

Step 3: Input Target Height

Input the height of the target in feet:

  • Target Height (feet): Fill in this information in the field labeled “Target Height (feet)”. Similarly, this is a required field, and you should provide a number ranging from 0 to 1000 feet, with up to one decimal place.

Step 4: Understanding Result Fields

Once you’ve entered all necessary information, the calculator will compute various results based on the inputs:

  • Earth Curve Drop: This value represents the drop in Earth’s curvature over the specified distance. It is calculated using the formula 8 * (distance²) / 12 and the result is displayed in inches.
  • Hidden Height: This result shows the height of the target that is obscured due to curvature, calculated as max(0, (Earth Curve Drop) – (Observer Height in inches) – (Target Height in inches)).
  • Visible Height: The portion of the target visible above the horizon, determined by Target Height in inches – max(0, (Earth Curve Drop) – (Observer Height in inches)).
  • Distance to Horizon: This indicates the distance to the horizon from the observer’s standpoint, derived using the formula √(Observer Height * 1.5), and is shown in miles.

By following these steps and entering accurate data, you can gain insights into the effects of Earth’s curvature on visibility and horizon distance.