Can You See The Curvature Of The Earth From Atop Mount Everest?
For a six-foot-tall person, the curvature is approximately 3 miles away. This is a geometrical finding since the human eye cannot see a 72-inch curve from 3 miles away. Studies place the threshold altitude for seeing Earth's curvature at about 35,000 feet. Even at this height, it is difficult to discern the curve as the observer requires a wide-angle of view. Since the distance of the horizon depends on the length of a person, it is possible to see the Earth's curvature while standing on a raised position. For a person standing at the summit of Mount Everest, which is about 29,029 feet, the horizon is approximately 230 miles away. On a clear day, it is possible to see such a distance, but 230 miles is not enough for the human eye to discern an expansive curvature like that of the Earth. It is, therefore, possible to see the horizon from the top of Mount Everest but not Earth's curvature. If we consider the effect of refraction, the horizon appears even further. Cold weather raises the atmospheric refraction making it possible for people in colder regions to see further. Secondly, clouds hover above the ground level and can be seen further than the surface. As much as the weather aids our view, it can also distort it. Precipitation and fog scatter light, making it impossible to see features visible on a clear day.
Photographing The Curvature
There are thousands of photographs on the internet of people claiming to have photographed the curvature of the Earth. Scientists have dismissed these photographs as fake or misrepresented. In almost every scenario, the curvature is caused by the distortion of the camera lens. If one lifts a camera above the center of the frame, then the right and left edges curve inwards to mimic Earth's curvature.
Where Can You See The Earth's Curvature?
The Earth curves at about 8 inches for every mile squared, but this distance is too minimal for a human being to discern the curvature. Even while on top of Mount Everest, it is impossible to see the curvature. Studies place the threshold to see the curvature at 35,000 feet, but even at this height, one must have at least a 60° angle of vision. While some commercial flights make it to such heights the problem is you also need a field of view that is wide (60 degrees ) and nearly cloud free, and therefore the Earth's curvature is out of reach for many people. The best place to see the curve is in space. Astronomers in the International Space Station can not only see Earth's curvature but also its spherical shape.
