Atmosphere

Ok yes the FE theory says the atmosphere causes the horizon because "air isn't clear" by another member's words. Why is it then. that when approaching an island i visit frequently, i can see the mountain tips in a helicopter long before i can see them by boat. The amount of gases and water vapour is thicker there due to thin cloud formations, surely all FE logic would point to me seeing the mountain tips later if i was in the helicopter.

Quote from: SparteX on November 20, 2007, 01:24:37 PM

Ok yes the FE theory says the atmosphere causes the horizon because "air isn't clear" by another member's words. Why is it then. that when approaching an island i visit frequently, i can see the mountain tips in a helicopter long before i can see them by boat. The amount of gases and water vapour is thicker there due to thin cloud formations, surely all FE logic would point to me seeing the mountain tips later if i was in the helicopter.

It's a gradient. You're above much of the compounding obstruction being in the helicopter.

Wrong. it's a low flying bag of spanners russian piece of crap that i'm surprised still flies, we're well within the field of obstruction. Find me evidence to say that the 1000' or so the helicopter flies results in such a massive drop in atmospheric density when we can comfortably breath without a pressurised cabin.

Quote from: SparteX on November 20, 2007, 01:33:06 PM

Wrong. it's a low flying bag of spanners russian piece of crap that i'm surprised still flies, we're well within the field of obstruction. Find me evidence to say that the 1000' or so the helicopter flies results in such a massive drop in atmospheric density when we can comfortably breath without a pressurised cabin.

Where did I say it massively drops?

Like I said, it's a gradient.

"such extended distances?"

Yes, like i said, being able to see farther 1000 feet up than i can when i'm on the sea level. Which brings me to another point.
Why is it that when traveling by boat, i see the mountain tips long before i see the rest of the island, flat earth theory suggests i would see the island's shore line and many hills coming into view first. yet i see mountain tips first despite them being set back some distance into the land.

explain.

Quote from: SparteX on November 20, 2007, 01:54:01 PM

Yes, like i said, being able to see farther 1000 feet up than i can when i'm on the sea level. Which brings me to another point.
Why is it that when traveling by boat, i see the mountain tips long before i see the rest of the island, flat earth theory suggests i would see the island's shore line and many hills coming into view first. yet i see mountain tips first despite them being set back some distance into the land.

explain.

I really don't want to make a diagram so I'll try to explain best I can:

IT'S A GRADIENT.

Being at sea level and looking horizontally towards the island, the effects I mentioned are compounded. These issues decrease with altitude. Looking diagonally would mean you're looking through less obstruction. Although, part of your post implies the sinking ship aspect, it's still not adequately explained.

Looking diagonally is LESS obstruction? measure the distance from one corner of a square to another, you'll find it to be longer than any of the sides.

IT'S A GRADIENT.

Quote from: SparteX on November 20, 2007, 02:01:57 PM

Looking diagonally is LESS obstruction? measure the distance from one corner of a square to another, you'll find it to be longer than any of the sides.

Quote from: divito the truthist on November 20, 2007, 01:58:18 PM

IT'S A GRADIENT.

What about gradients don't you understand?

Looking horizontally means the value of obstruction increases as the distance increases.
Looking diagonally means that the value of obstruction increases only as far as you're looking horizontally. The vanishing point and the clearer atmosphere above then play a role.
Looking vertically means that the value of obstruction is decreasing as the distance increases.