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We are 3D creatures, living in a 3D world but our eyes can show us only two dimensions. The depth that we all think we can see is merely a trick that our brains have learned; a byproduct of evolution putting our eyes on the front of our faces. To prove this, close one eye and try to play tennis.
The miracle of our depth perception comes from our brain's ability to put together two 2D images in such a way as to extrapolate depth. This is called stereoscopic vision.
Of the many things that can be said about our universe, it is not 2D. Its ridiculous to suggest so.
originally posted by: ngchunter
originally posted by: ngchunter
originally posted by: theMediator
Maybe someone could help with my calculations here...
I might be wrong, but I counted in a sphere earth, everytime someone would go from north to south 111km, he would also to downwards about 32~ km...
Yes, your math is terribly wrong. The correct formula is sqrt(radius^2 + distance^2)-radius. The drop for 111 km would be 967 meters. At 30,000 feet altitude the horizon distance is about 341 km. At that distance the horizon has dropped about 9.12 km. Sound like a lot? At 341 km distance 9.12 km corresponds to an angular size of only 1.53 degrees, or about 3 times the apparent width of the sun or moon. It's not that much in reality.
Tell you what, if I use a theodolite app on my phone from cruising altitude next time I take a commercial flight later this year and I show that the true horizon is higher than the apparent horizon, will you shut up?