Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Late_Cretaceous · 05-17-2003, 03:51 PM

Here is a question that I have had since I was a kid.

When I was 6 we flew from Canada to England. The captain anounced that we were above Iceland at one point so I looked out the window. I was quite surprised to see what I think may have been the entire island in one field of few (I knew a fair bit of geography even at that age, and recognized the shape of Iceland from maps). Even though I was quite young at the time, I do recall being surprised to see the entire country from an airplane. We were cruising at an altitude of 5 or 6 miles at the time.

What I have always wondered is this: Is it possible actually see something the size as the entire island of Iceland out of an airplane window from this height? Perhaps I only really saw an offshore island?

Anybody good at trig?

Hayden · 05-17-2003, 05:25 PM

It's quite probable. You can see three sides of the North Island of New Zealand from the summit of Mt Tarawera, which isn't all that tall; and that island is much bigger than Iceland, IIRC.

HR

Minnesota · 05-17-2003, 07:56 PM

Yes it is.

At a height of 5 miles the horizon would be 199 ground miles away, giving a total horizon-to-horizon ground distance of 398 miles.

At a height of 6 miles the horizon would be 221 ground miles away, giving a total horizon-to-horizon ground distance of 442 miles.

Iceland, with a North-South length of 186 miles, and an East-West length of 310 miles, falls well within these limits.

For hayden's information,

New Zealand's North island, which is about 515 long and 260 miles wide, could not be seen in its entirety from those altitudes.

Grumpy · 05-17-2003, 09:58 PM

Yes, but...
That would mean that a landmass the size of Iceland would extend almost to the horizon; it would be all around, rather than within a single field of view. And that assumes the maximum horizon is not obscured by haze.

Hayden · 05-17-2003, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Minnesota For hayden's information,

New Zealand's North island, which is about 515 long and 260 miles wide, could not be seen in its entirety from those altitudes. [/B]

That's not what I claimed

I could see the east coast at Mahia, the west coast at Thames (roughly) and White Island, which is off the Bay of Plenty. These coasts are reasonably close to the mountain specified, and it isn't the widest part of the island. In my head, I extrapolated to aircraft altitude and the size of Iceland, then took a wild guess.

HR

Vorkosigan · 05-18-2003, 06:39 AM

Minnesota! Good to see you here....

Can you post the FORMULA!? I saw it in a magazine years ago and promptly forgot it...and have wanted to remember it ever since.

Vorkosigan

Minnesota · 05-18-2003, 07:10 AM

Vorkosigan,

I usually charge a quarter for such secret information, but seeing as you're a moderator . . . . .

Distance to Horizon in miles = 1.224 x square root of height in feet.

Eyes 6' above ground: (1.224 x 2.449) = horizon 2.99 miles away.

05-17-2003, 03:51 PM	#1
Late_Cretaceous Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Alberta Posts: 1,049	Iceland from an airplane. Here is a question that I have had since I was a kid. When I was 6 we flew from Canada to England. The captain anounced that we were above Iceland at one point so I looked out the window. I was quite surprised to see what I think may have been the entire island in one field of few (I knew a fair bit of geography even at that age, and recognized the shape of Iceland from maps). Even though I was quite young at the time, I do recall being surprised to see the entire country from an airplane. We were cruising at an altitude of 5 or 6 miles at the time. What I have always wondered is this: Is it possible actually see something the size as the entire island of Iceland out of an airplane window from this height? Perhaps I only really saw an offshore island? Anybody good at trig?

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05-17-2003, 05:25 PM	#2
Hayden Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Posts: 712	It's quite probable. You can see three sides of the North Island of New Zealand from the summit of Mt Tarawera, which isn't all that tall; and that island is much bigger than Iceland, IIRC. HR

05-17-2003, 07:56 PM	#3
Minnesota Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 172	Yes it is. At a height of 5 miles the horizon would be 199 ground miles away, giving a total horizon-to-horizon ground distance of 398 miles. At a height of 6 miles the horizon would be 221 ground miles away, giving a total horizon-to-horizon ground distance of 442 miles. Iceland, with a North-South length of 186 miles, and an East-West length of 310 miles, falls well within these limits. For hayden's information, New Zealand's North island, which is about 515 long and 260 miles wide, could not be seen in its entirety from those altitudes.

05-17-2003, 09:58 PM	#4
Grumpy Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Alaska, USA Posts: 1,535	Yes, but... That would mean that a landmass the size of Iceland would extend almost to the horizon; it would be all around, rather than within a single field of view. And that assumes the maximum horizon is not obscured by haze.

05-18-2003, 06:39 AM	#6
Vorkosigan Contributor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Barrayar Posts: 11,866	Minnesota! Good to see you here.... Can you post the FORMULA!? I saw it in a magazine years ago and promptly forgot it...and have wanted to remember it ever since. Vorkosigan

05-18-2003, 07:10 AM	#7
Minnesota Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Minnesota Posts: 172	Vorkosigan, I usually charge a quarter for such secret information, but seeing as you're a moderator . . . . . Distance to Horizon in miles = 1.224 x square root of height in feet. Eyes 6' above ground: (1.224 x 2.449) = horizon 2.99 miles away.

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