The Flat Earth Society

Flat Earth Discussion Boards => Flat Earth Theory => Topic started by: ScaryGary on November 07, 2017, 01:09:30 PM

Title: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: ScaryGary on November 07, 2017, 01:09:30 PM
Wondering if anyone has tested these questions and can provide an answer?

1) With high powered optics, if watching the sunset on a flat surface such as ocean (we know water is flat because it levels out), should the sun set occur later relative to a person's perception of sunset with no optics?  Would the difference be noticeable?  Not sure how far the highest powered optics can view

2) How far out in the ocean with high powered optics should we be able to see based on heliocentric earth view - Given the earth's curvature recesses 8 inches every mile?
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: 3DGeek on November 07, 2017, 01:44:37 PM
Wondering if anyone has tested these questions and can provide an answer?

1) With high powered optics, if watching the sunset on a flat surface such as ocean (we know water is flat because it levels out), should the sun set occur later relative to a person's perception of sunset with no optics?  Would the difference be noticeable?  Not sure how far the highest powered optics can view

2) How far out in the ocean with high powered optics should we be able to see based on heliocentric earth view - Given the earth's curvature recesses 8 inches every mile?

Important correction:

* The rule isn't '8 inches every mile' - it's '8 inches every mile SQUARED' - so at one mile, it's 8"x1 at two miles it's 8"x4, at three miles it's 8"x9 and so forth.
* But the rule isn't correct - it's only an approximation...so don't use it beyond a few tens of miles.  8" per mile-squared describes a parabola - not a sphere.

Many people misunderstand the rule - and say it the way you did - and many others push it beyond where it's a reasonable approximation...both things are serious errors that can derail logical thought!


Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: ScaryGary on November 07, 2017, 02:10:09 PM
Thanks for clarification, 3DGeek, but I am still looking for answers.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: mtnman on November 07, 2017, 03:30:18 PM
In addition to 3D's comment about parabola vs sphere, there is also another thing to watch for. The formula to calculate horizon and the amount hidden of distant objects also has an input for viewing height. Most people just quoting the 8 inches/mile don't realize that by just looking at that part of the formula they are effectively making the viewing height zero, which is probably never really the case.

If you are standing at the edge of the ocean with your feet in the water, your eyes are still several feet above the water. It doesn't sound like much, but it makes a difference.

Checkout this page for a calculator using open source code https://dizzib.github.io/earth/curve-calc
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: ScaryGary on November 07, 2017, 05:13:02 PM
In addition to 3D's comment about parabola vs sphere, there is also another thing to watch for. The formula to calculate horizon and the amount hidden of distant objects also has an input for viewing height. Most people just quoting the 8 inches/mile don't realize that by just looking at that part of the formula they are effectively making the viewing height zero, which is probably never really the case.

If you are standing at the edge of the ocean with your feet in the water, your eyes are still several feet above the water. It doesn't sound like much, but it makes a difference.

Checkout this page for a calculator using open source code https://dizzib.github.io/earth/curve-calc

This answer did nothing for me.  Looking for answers not lectures...thanks
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: Uetzicle on November 07, 2017, 06:00:36 PM
The answer is, as long as the telescope is at the same height as your eyes, the horizon won't change, and what is visible won't change. It will just appear larger.

So, if your eyes are 6 feet above the surface, and the telescope has a mount that is 6 feet tall, the horizon on the ocean will be exactly the same, almost exactly 3 miles away (2.999547 miles, using the calculator mtmman linked to). You will see the same thing with both, it will just be magnified with the telescope.

So, for #1, the sun will set at the exact same time, bare eyes or telescope (and don't look at the sun with a telescope without filters).

And #2, how far out? With your eyes and the telescope both at 6 feet, 3 miles.

For there to actually be a change to these two things, elevate yourself. Or shrink yourself. Stand on a ladder, or on the 2nd floor of a building, and the sun will set ever so slightly later. And you'll be able to see a mile or two further away.

If you want a really good test of this, wait a few months and go to a large frozen lake in northern Minnesota. There are plenty of them larger than 3 miles across. You won't have waves to 'obstruct the view'. Just a flat sheet of ice (all but for the curvature of the earth, of course! ;-)
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: ScaryGary on November 07, 2017, 06:06:39 PM
The answer is, as long as the telescope is at the same height as your eyes, the horizon won't change, and what is visible won't change. It will just appear larger.

So, if your eyes are 6 feet above the surface, and the telescope has a mount that is 6 feet tall, the horizon on the ocean will be exactly the same, almost exactly 3 miles away (2.999547 miles, using the calculator mtmman linked to). You will see the same thing with both, it will just be magnified with the telescope.

So, for #1, the sun will set at the exact same time, bare eyes or telescope (and don't look at the sun with a telescope without filters).

And #2, how far out? With your eyes and the telescope both at 6 feet, 3 miles.

For there to actually be a change to these two things, elevate yourself. Or shrink yourself. Stand on a ladder, or on the 2nd floor of a building, and the sun will set ever so slightly later. And you'll be able to see a mile or two further away.

If you want a really good test of this, wait a few months and go to a large frozen lake in northern Minnesota. There are plenty of them larger than 3 miles across. You won't have waves to 'obstruct the view'. Just a flat sheet of ice (all but for the curvature of the earth, of course! ;-)

Good answer, thank you.  I guess the horizon occurs because things are shrinking as they get further away.  This is most noticeable with equal height telephone poles which appear to get smaller and smaller.  Also kinda strange how the clouds basically touch the ocean where the horizon occurs whereas they are easily 100s of feet above us when directly overhead.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: douglips on November 08, 2017, 01:30:26 AM
Were you asking for a Round Earth theory of the horizon, or a Flat Earth theory of the horizon?

The round earth theory of the horizon is that when the earth curves away from you you can no longer see things on the earth, that's where the 8 inches/mile^2 rule of thumb comes in. In this model, the horizon is about 3 miles away if you are six feet tall standing on the beach at sea level. An object that is beyond that distance will only be partially visible, depending on atmospheric conditions.

I think, if I understand Tom Bishop, that the flat earth theory of the horizon is that there is a certain distance beyond which all objects tend to zero apparent size. I don't have information on what that distance is, but it appears that the distance from an observer to the sun at sunset (3000 miles up, 6000 miles away in one interpretation of FET, or about 6700 miles away).
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: mtnman on November 08, 2017, 01:37:51 AM
Were you asking for a Round Earth theory of the horizon, or a Flat Earth theory of the horizon?

The round earth theory of the horizon is that when the earth curves away from you you can no longer see things on the earth, that's where the 8 inches/mile^2 rule of thumb comes in. In this model, the horizon is about 3 miles away if you are six feet tall standing on the beach at sea level. An object that is beyond that distance will only be partially visible, depending on atmospheric conditions.

I think, if I understand Tom Bishop, that the flat earth theory of the horizon is that there is a certain distance beyond which all objects tend to zero apparent size. I don't have information on what that distance is, but it appears that the distance from an observer to the sun at sunset (3000 miles up, 6000 miles away in one interpretation of FET, or about 6700 miles away).

FYI, Tom also states that the vanishing point at sunset is caused by things blocking the direct view (trees, waves, etc.) which indicates to me that there should be no sunset visible from high altitude, like from an airplane or a mountain top. I pressed this question in a thread recently, but never got an answer.

If FE defines a horizon as a finite distance past which objects can not be seen, then how do we see planets, stars and galaxies in the night sky?
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: Tom Bishop on November 08, 2017, 02:44:52 AM
Were you asking for a Round Earth theory of the horizon, or a Flat Earth theory of the horizon?

The round earth theory of the horizon is that when the earth curves away from you you can no longer see things on the earth, that's where the 8 inches/mile^2 rule of thumb comes in. In this model, the horizon is about 3 miles away if you are six feet tall standing on the beach at sea level. An object that is beyond that distance will only be partially visible, depending on atmospheric conditions.

I think, if I understand Tom Bishop, that the flat earth theory of the horizon is that there is a certain distance beyond which all objects tend to zero apparent size. I don't have information on what that distance is, but it appears that the distance from an observer to the sun at sunset (3000 miles up, 6000 miles away in one interpretation of FET, or about 6700 miles away).

FYI, Tom also states that the vanishing point at sunset is caused by things blocking the direct view (trees, waves, etc.) which indicates to me that there should be no sunset visible from high altitude, like from an airplane or a mountain top. I pressed this question in a thread recently, but never got an answer.

If FE defines a horizon as a finite distance past which objects can not be seen, then how do we see planets, stars and galaxies in the night sky?

The perspective lines intersect each other at a finite distance. This does not mean that all light disappears at that finite point where they intersect. It is mainly the angles of where the body is positioned that is affected.

In the case of the sun at sunset, the explanation is that the perspective lines are perfect, but the surface of the earth is not perfect, and there will be an area upon which something can disappear behind. Where the perspective lines merge in the distance the photons from that area are increasingly trying to occupy the same space at once. Some of these photons are blocked out since the earth is not perfectly or mathematically flat and there are slight imperfections on the surface, as the perfect lines merge into the non-perfect earth.

It is mentioned in Earth Not a Globe, in fact, that the sunset takes longer when the seas are calm compared to when they are more disturbed.

When the stars and planets are above your head they are not affected by ground imperfections, and so there is nothing blocking the light.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: mtnman on November 08, 2017, 06:54:37 AM

FYI, Tom also states that the vanishing point at sunset is caused by things blocking the direct view (trees, waves, etc.) which indicates to me that there should be no sunset visible from high altitude, like from an airplane or a mountain top. I pressed this question in a thread recently, but never got an answer.

If FE defines a horizon as a finite distance past which objects can not be seen, then how do we see planets, stars and galaxies in the night sky?

The perspective lines intersect each other at a finite distance. This does not mean that all light disappears at that finite point where they intersect. It is mainly the angles of where the body is positioned that is affected.

In the case of the sun at sunset, the explanation is that the perspective lines are perfect, but the surface of the earth is not perfect, and there will be an area upon which something can disappear behind. Where the perspective lines merge in the distance the photons from that area are increasingly trying to occupy the same space at once. Some of these photons are blocked out since the earth is not perfectly or mathematically flat and there are slight imperfections on the surface, as the perfect lines merge into the non-perfect earth.

It is mentioned in Earth Not a Globe, in fact, that the sunset takes longer when the seas are calm compared to when they are more disturbed.

When the stars and planets are above your head they are not affected by ground imperfections, and so there is nothing blocking the light.

Forget about the imperfect surface of the Earth for a moment. How would a sunset occur when viewed from an aircraft a few thousand feet in the air? There are no Earth imperfections, mountains, waves, or other things to block the view.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: Tom Bishop on November 08, 2017, 07:05:53 AM

FYI, Tom also states that the vanishing point at sunset is caused by things blocking the direct view (trees, waves, etc.) which indicates to me that there should be no sunset visible from high altitude, like from an airplane or a mountain top. I pressed this question in a thread recently, but never got an answer.

If FE defines a horizon as a finite distance past which objects can not be seen, then how do we see planets, stars and galaxies in the night sky?

The perspective lines intersect each other at a finite distance. This does not mean that all light disappears at that finite point where they intersect. It is mainly the angles of where the body is positioned that is affected.

In the case of the sun at sunset, the explanation is that the perspective lines are perfect, but the surface of the earth is not perfect, and there will be an area upon which something can disappear behind. Where the perspective lines merge in the distance the photons from that area are increasingly trying to occupy the same space at once. Some of these photons are blocked out since the earth is not perfectly or mathematically flat and there are slight imperfections on the surface, as the perfect lines merge into the non-perfect earth.

It is mentioned in Earth Not a Globe, in fact, that the sunset takes longer when the seas are calm compared to when they are more disturbed.

When the stars and planets are above your head they are not affected by ground imperfections, and so there is nothing blocking the light.

Forget about the imperfect surface of the Earth for a moment. How would a sunset occur when viewed from an aircraft a few thousand feet in the air? There are no Earth imperfections, mountains, waves, or other things to block the view.

The horizon is always at eye level with the observer, even on an airplane.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: xenotolerance on November 08, 2017, 07:13:46 AM
No, it isn't.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: Curious Squirrel on November 08, 2017, 07:26:19 AM
No, it isn't.
It is because they need it to be, and Rowbotham has declared theodolites (? the thing to measure the dip angle) inaccurate in ENaG. If someone can dig up the actual quote that would be swell, but essentially: "I looked through his instrument and saw a drop. Upon removing the glass from the instrument I could no longer see a drop. Therefore the instrument is in error/the glass creates an error." I unfortunately don't recall the chapter right now. Maybe I'll dig it up later when I'm back from vacation.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: Tom Bishop on November 08, 2017, 07:36:37 AM
No, it isn't.
It is because they need it to be, and Rowbotham has declared theodolites (? the thing to measure the dip angle) inaccurate in ENaG. If someone can dig up the actual quote that would be swell, but essentially: "I looked through his instrument and saw a drop. Upon removing the glass from the instrument I could no longer see a drop. Therefore the instrument is in error/the glass creates an error." I unfortunately don't recall the chapter right now. Maybe I'll dig it up later when I'm back from vacation.

Rowbotham is correct about that device. Look up Snell's Law.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: xenotolerance on November 08, 2017, 07:42:39 AM
Theodolites (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodolite), Snell's law (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snell%27s_law).

Theodolites are legit, Rowbotham was a hack who did not understand refraction.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: inquisitive on November 08, 2017, 07:57:36 AM
No, it isn't.
It is because they need it to be, and Rowbotham has declared theodolites (? the thing to measure the dip angle) inaccurate in ENaG. If someone can dig up the actual quote that would be swell, but essentially: "I looked through his instrument and saw a drop. Upon removing the glass from the instrument I could no longer see a drop. Therefore the instrument is in error/the glass creates an error." I unfortunately don't recall the chapter right now. Maybe I'll dig it up later when I'm back from vacation.

Rowbotham is correct about that device. Look up Snell's Law.
Please provide a link to documentation on theodolites to prove your statement.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: Uetzicle on November 08, 2017, 04:12:23 PM
Okay...theodolites are out. So just use a straw, protractor, and a weighted string. No optics, no 'scary deceitful technology', just a hole to look through and a string to show the angle. Not as precise, but it will still show you the angles to the horizon change with elevation.

But to the whole 'horizon is always at eye level' thing. It is surely a biological, subconscious response to automatically orient your vision on the horizon, or what you perceive as the horizon. Sort of an evolutionary behavior of a species that learned to walk upright and look in front of themselves with binocular vision. "There's the line that helps my eyes tell my feet which way is forward. So put it in the middle of my vision." (there's probably already a name for it...my biology knowledge is limited)

So whether you realize it or not, your eyes will adjust the angle of vision automatically. 'Straight ahead' usually just means 'angled down to the horizon'.

Or as somebody much wiser once said, "Your eyes can deceive you. Don't trust them."
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: Uetzicle on November 08, 2017, 04:24:39 PM
Okay...theodolites are out. So just use a straw, protractor, and a weighted string. No optics, no 'scary deceitful technology', just a hole to look through and a string to show the angle. Not as precise, but it will still show you the angles to the horizon change with elevation.

But to the whole 'horizon is always at eye level' thing. It is surely a biological, subconscious response to automatically orient your vision on the horizon, or what you perceive as the horizon. Sort of an evolutionary behavior of a species that learned to walk upright and look in front of themselves with binocular vision. "There's the line that helps my eyes tell my feet which way is forward. So put it in the middle of my vision." (there's probably already a name for it...my biology knowledge is limited)

So whether you realize it or not, your eyes will adjust the angle of vision automatically. 'Straight ahead' usually just means 'angled down to the horizon'.

Or as somebody much wiser once said, "Your eyes can deceive you. Don't trust them."

Here it is. 'Gaze Stabilization or Biological Image Stabilization. Excellent read. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982216310041 (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960982216310041)
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: ScaryGary on November 08, 2017, 04:33:35 PM
No, it isn't.

Just another programmed sheep believing everything they are told but not the truth itself.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: mtnman on November 08, 2017, 05:46:10 PM

The horizon is always at eye level with the observer, even on an airplane.
You would be hard pressed to find a less scientific and measurable statement. Have you tested this with any instrumentation or device with any level of accuracy?

Saw a reference to a theodolite app for the iPhone. Looks interesting. I'll ask Tom in advance of getting it, would measuring horizon angles with something like that be accepted by you as accurate? Would you expect it to always show the horizon at zero degrees elevation or something else?
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: Tom Bishop on November 08, 2017, 06:18:11 PM

The horizon is always at eye level with the observer, even on an airplane.
You would be hard pressed to find a less scientific and measurable statement. Have you tested this with any instrumentation or device with any level of accuracy?

Saw a reference to a theodolite app for the iPhone. Looks interesting. I'll ask Tom in advance of getting it, would measuring horizon angles with something like that be accepted by you as accurate? Would you expect it to always show the horizon at zero degrees elevation or something else?

On the topic of those theodolite apps read this metabunk thread (https://www.metabunk.org/debunk-the-horizon-never-falling-as-proof-of-flat-earth-theory.t4671/).
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: Curious Squirrel on November 08, 2017, 06:34:15 PM

The horizon is always at eye level with the observer, even on an airplane.
You would be hard pressed to find a less scientific and measurable statement. Have you tested this with any instrumentation or device with any level of accuracy?

Saw a reference to a theodolite app for the iPhone. Looks interesting. I'll ask Tom in advance of getting it, would measuring horizon angles with something like that be accepted by you as accurate? Would you expect it to always show the horizon at zero degrees elevation or something else?

On the topic of those theodolite apps read this metabunk thread (https://www.metabunk.org/debunk-the-horizon-never-falling-as-proof-of-flat-earth-theory.t4671/).
I'm not sure what you want us to look at here. The prevailing conclusion appears to be "the horizon does not rise to the level as stated by FE" with a fair bit of data to back it up.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: Tom Bishop on November 08, 2017, 06:36:07 PM
I'm not sure what you want us to look at here. The prevailing conclusion appears to be "the horizon does not rise to the level as stated by FE" with a fair bit of data to back it up.

A theodolite app is tested for accuracy and is found to be inaccurate.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: inquisitive on November 08, 2017, 06:38:37 PM

The horizon is always at eye level with the observer, even on an airplane.
You would be hard pressed to find a less scientific and measurable statement. Have you tested this with any instrumentation or device with any level of accuracy?

Saw a reference to a theodolite app for the iPhone. Looks interesting. I'll ask Tom in advance of getting it, would measuring horizon angles with something like that be accepted by you as accurate? Would you expect it to always show the horizon at zero degrees elevation or something else?

On the topic of those theodolite apps read this metabunk thread (https://www.metabunk.org/debunk-the-horizon-never-falling-as-proof-of-flat-earth-theory.t4671/).
How do you define eyelevel, what angle?

Please provide a link to accuracy of professional surveying equipment, until you do your claim is not valid.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: Curious Squirrel on November 08, 2017, 06:42:10 PM
I'm not sure what you want us to look at here. The prevailing conclusion appears to be "the horizon does not rise to the level as stated by FE" with a fair bit of data to back it up.

A theodolite app is tested for accuracy and is found to be inaccurate.
So you just ignored the guy using an actual theodolite, and the fact that even with the issues his conclusion was that the horizon does not rise to eye level? Instead you simply walk away with "oh it was inaccurate" and ignore everything else? Fascinating.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: mtnman on November 08, 2017, 07:00:39 PM

The horizon is always at eye level with the observer, even on an airplane.
You would be hard pressed to find a less scientific and measurable statement. Have you tested this with any instrumentation or device with any level of accuracy?

Saw a reference to a theodolite app for the iPhone. Looks interesting. I'll ask Tom in advance of getting it, would measuring horizon angles with something like that be accepted by you as accurate? Would you expect it to always show the horizon at zero degrees elevation or something else?

On the topic of those theodolite apps read this metabunk thread (https://www.metabunk.org/debunk-the-horizon-never-falling-as-proof-of-flat-earth-theory.t4671/).

I will have a read through this thread, but don't have time right now. Before I do, it looks like a general discussion about the "horizon rising to eye level" concept, that contains some reference to the apps like I mentioned (maybe the same app).

If you are offering this web page as reference, I assume you are prepared to accept all their conclusions. Is that correct?
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: Tom Bishop on November 08, 2017, 07:20:54 PM
I'm not sure what you want us to look at here. The prevailing conclusion appears to be "the horizon does not rise to the level as stated by FE" with a fair bit of data to back it up.

A theodolite app is tested for accuracy and is found to be inaccurate.
So you just ignored the guy using an actual theodolite, and the fact that even with the issues his conclusion was that the horizon does not rise to eye level? Instead you simply walk away with "oh it was inaccurate" and ignore everything else? Fascinating.

We just discussed the issues with "actual theodolites" on the previous page of this thread. You can refer back to that and read the appropriate Earth Not a Globe section for discussion of that device and look up Snell's Law.

Next we received a query about using a theodolite app for this task and I have provided a source showing that those are inaccurate as well.

If you are offering this web page as reference, I assume you are prepared to accept all their conclusions. Is that correct?

I believe I sent you there to look at their investigation of a theodolite phone app:

On the topic of those theodolite apps read this metabunk thread (https://www.metabunk.org/debunk-the-horizon-never-falling-as-proof-of-flat-earth-theory.t4671/).
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: inquisitive on November 08, 2017, 07:27:04 PM
I'm not sure what you want us to look at here. The prevailing conclusion appears to be "the horizon does not rise to the level as stated by FE" with a fair bit of data to back it up.

A theodolite app is tested for accuracy and is found to be inaccurate.
So you just ignored the guy using an actual theodolite, and the fact that even with the issues his conclusion was that the horizon does not rise to eye level? Instead you simply walk away with "oh it was inaccurate" and ignore everything else? Fascinating.

We just discussed the issues with "actual theodolites" on the previous page of this thread. You can refer back to that and read the appropriate Earth Not a Globe section for discussion of that device and look up Snell's Law.

Next we received a query about using a theodolite app for this task and I have provided a source showing that those are inaccurate as well.

If you are offering this web page as reference, I assume you are prepared to accept all their conclusions. Is that correct?

I believe I sent you there to look at their investigation of a theodolite phone app:

On the topic of those theodolite apps read this metabunk thread (https://www.metabunk.org/debunk-the-horizon-never-falling-as-proof-of-flat-earth-theory.t4671/).
Again, please provide details of how professional surveying theodolites are inaccurate.  A cheap phone app is not relevant to this discussion.

No mention of theodolites in that computer video.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: Tom Bishop on November 08, 2017, 07:34:07 PM
Again, please provide details of how professional surveying theodolites are inaccurate.

Details have been long provided. Look up the theodolite sections in Earth Not a Globe.

Quote
A cheap phone app is not relevant to this discussion.

Why are you telling me? You guys are the ones who brought it up.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: inquisitive on November 08, 2017, 07:36:51 PM
Again, please provide details of how professional surveying theodolites are inaccurate.

Details have been long provided. Look up the theodolite sections in Earth Not a Globe.

Quote
A cheap phone app is not relevant to this discussion.

Why are you telling me? You guys are the one who brought it up.
I am asking about professional equipment available today, please provide proof.  Something written many years ago is not relevant today with advances in technology.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: Tom Bishop on November 08, 2017, 07:49:57 PM
Again, please provide details of how professional surveying theodolites are inaccurate.

Details have been long provided. Look up the theodolite sections in Earth Not a Globe.

Quote
A cheap phone app is not relevant to this discussion.

Why are you telling me? You guys are the one who brought it up.
I am asking about professional equipment available today, please provide proof.  Something written many years ago is not relevant today with advances in technology.

Why? It's a simple device. Does Snell's Law not exist anymore?
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: Curious Squirrel on November 08, 2017, 07:57:22 PM
Again, please provide details of how professional surveying theodolites are inaccurate.

Details have been long provided. Look up the theodolite sections in Earth Not a Globe.

Quote
A cheap phone app is not relevant to this discussion.

Why are you telling me? You guys are the one who brought it up.
I am asking about professional equipment available today, please provide proof.  Something written many years ago is not relevant today with advances in technology.

Why? It's a simple device. Does Snell's Law not exist anymore?
What is your evidence that has anything to do with a theodolite? You have one statement written by someone with a bias, claiming the theodolite doesn't do the exact job it was made to do, and continues to do to this day. Where is your experimental evidence that your statement about the theodolite is correct?
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: Tom Bishop on November 08, 2017, 08:09:24 PM
What is your evidence that has anything to do with a theodolite? You have one statement written by someone with a bias, claiming the theodolite doesn't do the exact job it was made to do, and continues to do to this day. Where is your experimental evidence that your statement about the theodolite is correct?

The experimental evidence on that subject is there in Earth Not a Globe.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: inquisitive on November 08, 2017, 08:22:52 PM
What is your evidence that has anything to do with a theodolite? You have one statement written by someone with a bias, claiming the theodolite doesn't do the exact job it was made to do, and continues to do to this day. Where is your experimental evidence that your statement about the theodolite is correct?

The experimental evidence on that subject is there in Earth Not a Globe.
Please provide evidence of an experiment that has been carried out in the last 5 years to prove a theodolite is inaccurate.

2 second accuracy of a theodolite:

http://www.engineersupply.com/CST-berger-digital-theodolite-56-dgt2.aspx
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: Curious Squirrel on November 08, 2017, 08:23:25 PM
What is your evidence that has anything to do with a theodolite? You have one statement written by someone with a bias, claiming the theodolite doesn't do the exact job it was made to do, and continues to do to this day. Where is your experimental evidence that your statement about the theodolite is correct?

The experimental evidence on that subject is there in Earth Not a Globe.
No it's not. There is an assumption presented by Rowbotham based on one observation. That is not experimental evidence. If there's actually more than that a link would be appreciated, but I recall nothing more than that.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: Tom Bishop on November 08, 2017, 08:33:37 PM
What is your evidence that has anything to do with a theodolite? You have one statement written by someone with a bias, claiming the theodolite doesn't do the exact job it was made to do, and continues to do to this day. Where is your experimental evidence that your statement about the theodolite is correct?

The experimental evidence on that subject is there in Earth Not a Globe.
Please provide evidence of an experiment that has been carried out in the last 5 years to prove a theodolite is inaccurate.

Please provide evidence conducted in the last 5 seconds that it is not.

Since when does truth have an expiration date?
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: inquisitive on November 08, 2017, 09:06:50 PM
What is your evidence that has anything to do with a theodolite? You have one statement written by someone with a bias, claiming the theodolite doesn't do the exact job it was made to do, and continues to do to this day. Where is your experimental evidence that your statement about the theodolite is correct?

The experimental evidence on that subject is there in Earth Not a Globe.
Please provide evidence of an experiment that has been carried out in the last 5 years to prove a theodolite is inaccurate.

Please provide evidence conducted in the last 5 seconds that it is not.

Since when does truth have an expiration date?
Why are you so certain that something written over 100 years ago is true?

You have said this before but we learn more as time goes on, you have been given details of a theodolite that is accurate to 2 seconds.  That proves the accuracy available today.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: Tom Bishop on November 08, 2017, 09:28:57 PM
What is your evidence that has anything to do with a theodolite? You have one statement written by someone with a bias, claiming the theodolite doesn't do the exact job it was made to do, and continues to do to this day. Where is your experimental evidence that your statement about the theodolite is correct?

The experimental evidence on that subject is there in Earth Not a Globe.
Please provide evidence of an experiment that has been carried out in the last 5 years to prove a theodolite is inaccurate.

Please provide evidence conducted in the last 5 seconds that it is not.

Since when does truth have an expiration date?
Why are you so certain that something written over 100 years ago is true?

You have said this before but we learn more as time goes on, you have been given details of a theodolite that is accurate to 2 seconds.  That proves the accuracy available today.

Last I checked Darwin's Origin of the Species and Einstein's work is over 100 years old. How about attacking the content rather than the time the study was written?
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: inquisitive on November 08, 2017, 09:33:08 PM
What is your evidence that has anything to do with a theodolite? You have one statement written by someone with a bias, claiming the theodolite doesn't do the exact job it was made to do, and continues to do to this day. Where is your experimental evidence that your statement about the theodolite is correct?

The experimental evidence on that subject is there in Earth Not a Globe.
Please provide evidence of an experiment that has been carried out in the last 5 years to prove a theodolite is inaccurate.

Please provide evidence conducted in the last 5 seconds that it is not.

Since when does truth have an expiration date?
Why are you so certain that something written over 100 years ago is true?

You have said this before but we learn more as time goes on, you have been given details of a theodolite that is accurate to 2 seconds.  That proves the accuracy available today.

Last I checked Darwin's Origin of the Species and Einstein's work is over 100 years old. How about attacking the content rather than the time the study was written?
I have given you details of a theodolite with 2 seconds accuracy.  They are not inaccurate and you did not define eye level.  Please do.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: devils advocate on November 08, 2017, 09:45:32 PM

Since when does truth have an expiration date?

Errr all the time!

1) it is true that now is Wednesday evening, 8th Nov 2017-in a few short hours that will not be true.

2) the fastest internet connection is.........

3) the oldest person alive today is....

Truth is based on current circumstances. Rowbotham was a fraud in his day and his conman scheme is no more true today. Modern evidence shows the weaknesses of his conclusions, but sure ignore all that is new and revel in the past.....on an internet forum.......
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: Tom Bishop on November 08, 2017, 10:57:44 PM

Since when does truth have an expiration date?

Errr all the time!

1) it is true that now is Wednesday evening, 8th Nov 2017-in a few short hours that will not be true.

2) the fastest internet connection is.........

3) the oldest person alive today is....

Truth is based on current circumstances. Rowbotham was a fraud in his day and his conman scheme is no more true today. Modern evidence shows the weaknesses of his conclusions, but sure ignore all that is new and revel in the past.....on an internet forum.......

How was Rowbotham a conman?
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: StinkyOne on November 08, 2017, 11:07:12 PM

Since when does truth have an expiration date?

Errr all the time!

1) it is true that now is Wednesday evening, 8th Nov 2017-in a few short hours that will not be true.

2) the fastest internet connection is.........

3) the oldest person alive today is....

Truth is based on current circumstances. Rowbotham was a fraud in his day and his conman scheme is no more true today. Modern evidence shows the weaknesses of his conclusions, but sure ignore all that is new and revel in the past.....on an internet forum.......

How was Rowbotham a conman?

The obvious one is he conned some people into thinking the Earth was flat. I'm assuming he didn't give his book away for free.

Then there is this little con job:
In 1861, Rowbotham married for a second time (to the 16-year-old daughter of his laundress) and settled in London, producing 14 children, of whom four survived. He was also alleged to be using the name "Dr. Samuel Birley", living in a beautiful 12-roomed house, selling the secrets for prolonging human life and curing every disease imaginable.[4] Augustus De Morgan refers to him as S. Goulden.[1] He patented a number of inventions, including a "life-preserving cylindrical railway carriage". Birley was his middle name. Maybe it's just a coincidence.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: Curious Squirrel on November 08, 2017, 11:09:16 PM
What is your evidence that has anything to do with a theodolite? You have one statement written by someone with a bias, claiming the theodolite doesn't do the exact job it was made to do, and continues to do to this day. Where is your experimental evidence that your statement about the theodolite is correct?

The experimental evidence on that subject is there in Earth Not a Globe.
Please provide evidence of an experiment that has been carried out in the last 5 years to prove a theodolite is inaccurate.

Please provide evidence conducted in the last 5 seconds that it is not.

Since when does truth have an expiration date?
Why are you so certain that something written over 100 years ago is true?

You have said this before but we learn more as time goes on, you have been given details of a theodolite that is accurate to 2 seconds.  That proves the accuracy available today.

Last I checked Darwin's Origin of the Species and Einstein's work is over 100 years old. How about attacking the content rather than the time the study was written?
Sure! His entire claim rests on the supposition that the human eye unaided has greater visual acuity than an instrument developed to increase the acuity of the eye. He gives no information on the claimed difference between the theodolites, he tested it upon one circumstance, and his conclusion of the experiment about the post viewed at length is erroneous. He assumes the distance to be flat rather than level when drawing it. In all, his experiments upon it have no documentation, and are poorly executed and barely documented, with a clear bias. In summary, they prove nothing and should be thrown out. So unless you have something better documented you have nothing to stand on in your attempt to claim theodolites are inaccurate.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: ScaryGary on November 08, 2017, 11:18:00 PM

Since when does truth have an expiration date?

Errr all the time!

1) it is true that now is Wednesday evening, 8th Nov 2017-in a few short hours that will not be true.

2) the fastest internet connection is.........

3) the oldest person alive today is....

Truth is based on current circumstances. Rowbotham was a fraud in his day and his conman scheme is no more true today. Modern evidence shows the weaknesses of his conclusions, but sure ignore all that is new and revel in the past.....on an internet forum.......

Just another helpless programmed sheep.  Learn to think for yourself sometime. 
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: juner on November 08, 2017, 11:46:08 PM
Just another helpless programmed sheep.  Learn to think for yourself sometime.

Lay off personal attacks and posts that don't contribute. Warned.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: mtnman on November 09, 2017, 05:43:03 AM

A theodolite app is tested for accuracy and is found to be inaccurate.

If you are offering this web page as reference, I assume you are prepared to accept all their conclusions. Is that correct?

I believe I sent you there to look at their investigation of a theodolite phone app:

On the topic of those theodolite apps read this metabunk thread (https://www.metabunk.org/debunk-the-horizon-never-falling-as-proof-of-flat-earth-theory.t4671/).
I have reviewed the page you recommended Tom. The findings indicate that the theodolite app doesn't give very precise measurements. It lists errors up to 0.6 degrees. So probably not a great idea to use the app to make a bridge or something. I think it's still useful in looking at this "horizon rises to eye level" subject.

But what I find even more interesting and obviously ironic, is that as part of your attempt to preempt any claim of results from the app that might conflict with the "horizon rises to eye level" belief, you linked me to a page debunking the belief that the "horizon rises to eye level". It includes a video documenting a test with an actual theodolite that measures the angle to the horizon and to tall buildings in Chicago which both fit with the round Earth and not with his calculations for a flat Earth. Very interesting viewing. Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Fellow FE'ers important questions...
Post by: ScaryGary on November 09, 2017, 02:00:56 PM
Just another helpless programmed sheep.  Learn to think for yourself sometime.

Lay off personal attacks and posts that don't contribute. Warned.

Apologies