Physics
Radar Horizon Calculator
Find the radar horizon distance accounting for atmospheric bending.
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Radio waves bend slightly around the Earth, so the radar horizon is farther than the optical one.
The math behind it
A common approximation is d(km) ≈ 4.12·√h(m), using an effective Earth radius 4/3 the true value.
Worked Example
30 m antenna → about 22.6 km.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why farther than optical horizon?
Atmospheric refraction bends radio waves more than visible light.
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