I can see for miles!

[Goldie]

Having just posted in the Xenon chat regarding headlamps and visibility, I thought this may be of interest.

Out in the Cali last night in the Nikau Valley, North of Wellington, NZ. For the first time out here I could clearly see D'Urville Island (top of South Island), beyond Kapiti Island which is just off the coast and the sunset was amazing. But, in the distance I could see a small cone which is the Taranaki volcano near New Plymouth.

On returning home I Goggle'd the distance and it was 139 miles which is more than the distance between London and Cardiff (134 miles). Yep, I know Taranaki stands out like a pair of dog's Boxxocks at 8200ft, but I'm wondering can you see that sort of distance in UK or Europe to another Earth feature.

Andy

 

[calikev]

Interesting that's a hell of a distance to see. I was told years ago I don't know if its true that
The furthest you could see the horizon was 7 miles. Clearly untrue thinking about it
A picture would have been nice

 

[Goldie]

That's probably horizon to horizon distance at sea level. As ex-RN I'm used to gauging distances at sea and seeing funnels first, but nothing more than about 10 miles. Even I was amazed once I worked it out and still find it hard to believe.

Andy

 

[snowy55]

Phew, didn't know Xenons were that good

 

[Goldie]

For clarification. I was using MK1 eyeball, unaided by binoculars, telescopes, Xenons etc.

Andy

 

[2CV67]

Can't compete with 139 miles, but from my bedroom window I get a view down (actually up) the Rhine valley with Vosges on one side & Black Forest on the other.
On a good day, we can see (naked eye) several identifiable peaks at 100km.
Never seen the Alps though, which should be there behind & which you can sometimes see from up in the Vosges.

 

[owen_h]

Can't compete with 139 miles, but from my bedroom window I get a view down (actually up) the Rhine valley with Vosges on one side & Black Forest on the other.
On a good day, we can see (naked eye) several identifiable peaks at 100km.
Never seen the Alps though, which should be there behind & which you can sometimes see from up in the Vosges.

In the process of sorting out this years holiday to the Vosges & surrounding areas so might well be asking for campsite recommendations.

1st campsite in the Cali was at the base of Glastonbury Tor, could see a good way from there but not sure how far.

 

[Goldie]

Interesting that's a hell of a distance to see. I was told years ago I don't know if its true that
The furthest you could see the horizon was 7 miles. Clearly untrue thinking about it
A picture would have been nice

Here's the picture. About 4-5 miles to the the estuary and 139 miles to Mt Taranaki (Mt Egmont). Taken with a 50mm lens at 2x magnification.

Andy

 

[AlanC]

7 miles to the horizon is at sea level.

The distance will increase the higher you go up and can see further round the curvature of the earth. The 139ml distant shot by Andy above, is from a high vantage point to the top of a 2518mtr high mountain, so will be a lot further than 7 miles.

An impressive shot none the less.

Alan

 

[GrannyJen]

7 miles to the horizon is at sea level.

The distance will increase the higher you go up and can see further round the curvature of the earth. The 139ml distant shot by Andy above, is from a high vantage point to the top of a 2518mtr high mountain, so will be a lot further than 7 miles.

An impressive shot none the less.

Alan

It also depends on the time of year and how curved the Earth is at that time ....

 

[dannosail]

Not to mention good weather and air quality which probably have a significant effect on visibility in continental Europe.

 

[GrannyJen]

and the position of the moon that would also exersise a gravitational pull on the core mass thus influencing further the curvature ....

 

[AlanC]

Not to mention the depth of the sea as a result of the tides...
OK enough of this distraction...back to the marking...

Alan

 

[Maud]

back to the marking...

Joy

 

[GrannyJen]

Goodness, A year out of harness and I have already forgotten about course assessments,

Instead of now reading the latest missive from the DoE and consultation papers on course inclusion I now settle down to thumbing through Britstops and all-the-aires

 

[NZCol]

I was standing on the top of Tapue Ue Uenuku and could see Ruapehu !

 

[GrannyJen]

Is that kahuarangi?

I've been to a few places in the Nelson area,

Awatere valley mostly

 

[NZCol]

Top of Sth Island, highest mountain on the inland Kaikouras, it's the one you can see from Wgtn, Tappy on the RHS and Manukau on the LHS on the seaward kaikouras. Its 100km give or take to Wgtn and then another , i dunno, 200 to Ruapehu but we could see it !

 

[GrannyJen]

Lovely part of the world, Gods country, I think the Marlborough straits is one of the finest ferry trips anywhere. You have my feet itching again ...

Nice wine as well

Lovely picture.