bent light & horizon

From: ian (i.) gorlick <"ian>
Date: Thu, 22 Feb 1996 16:51:00 -0500


Dane

I think I see where you are making a wrong assumption in your geometry. The light from the top of the wall does not have to start off parallel to the ground, it can start with a slightly downward trajectory so it approaches the ground and then is on the upswing when it hits the observer's eyes. Light from the base of the wall MUST start parallel to the ground or with an upward trajectory, so it swings up sooner and passes over the head of the observer.

A flat surface and upward curving light should look almost indistinguishable from a downward curved surface and straight light in near and moderate distances, it will have weird effects for astronomical observations where the distances are very large and the curvature becomes extreme.

Brian Curley's friend:

the discussion is mostly sound but there is one small bit of confusion. Optical signals (mirrors, fires, flashlights) are still aimed directly at the desired target. The light you send at the target will retrace the exact path of the light coming from the target, so you still aim exactly where you see the target to be.

There will be a need for interesting corrections for long-range artillery. I would put this in the same category as Coriolis (sp?) force corrections in our own world.

At the relatively short ranges achievable with bows and catapults, there should be no measurable effect IMO.


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