Ocean view or opitical illusion

[MikePS]

Several times over the years I have been trying to figure out what I am seeing looking E SE from the summit of Chocorua. On a clear day, as today with a long range view, I swear I see a thin light line, looking over Silver Lake that looks to me to be the ocean on the very edge of the distant horizon. This was about nine am with the sun directly facing me about 1/2 way to the top of the sky. In 30 years of hiking I only see this rarely, and only on this summit. It extends about a third of my view left to right, I think to big to be a lake. illusion, time for new specs or something else? Thanks for any thoughts, Mike PS

 

[kltilton]

I don't know the answer, but I have heard the same thing about the view from the summit of Chocorua. Looked like a great day to be up there!

 

[vegematic]

I was curious so I checked my Scudder's Guide. The chart shows the Atlantic ocean being visible slightly to the north of Silver Lake. The text says "Arrive at Chocorua's crest before 10 a.m. and catch the sun's glimmer off the Atlantic Ocean." I'd say you saw it.
-vegematic

 

[Amicus]

Here is as much as I could squeeze in of a topo with tangents from the summit of Chocorua to Old Orchard Beach (shoreline - 55 miles from Choc) and Wells Beach (56 miles). You must have been viewing the beautiful Atlantic.

 

[DougPaul]

The altitude of Chocorua is 3500 ft which gives a visual horizon to sea level of ~72 miles. (d=sqrt(1.5h) d in miles, h in feet; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horizon)

Given Amicus's distance of 55 mi, the ocean should be visible if it is not blocked by terrain. And as Vegematic noted, Scudder's verifies the visibility.

I have seen the harbor lights of Portland from the Alpine Garden, distance ~70mi. (alt=5000 ft, horizon 87 mi)

And, of course, the White Mountains were named because their snow covered peaks were visible from the ocean.

Also, varying atmospheric conditions can significantly lengthen or shorten the distance to the optical horizon. (Pretty common over near-polar waters.) A mirage is an example--light from the blue sky is bent sufficiently that it looks like it is coming from the ground (and we interpret it as water).

Doug

 

[Willoughby]

Atlantic from the Rockpile

The Mt Washington Obs just posted a YouTube video of their view of the Atlantic.

 

[una_dogger]

I've heard that the atlantic can be seen from the Blueberry Ledges on Whiteface in the nine-ten am range -- but I haven't been able to spot it yet. Congrats! That must have been an amazing sight!

 

[MikePS]

Many Thanks

Thanks to all for the research and information, I am glad I saw what I thought I was seeing, (trickier as the years roll on ) It is quite a sight, well worth an early start for the solo summit and the Atlantic. Very similiar to the observatory shot. Guess I will have to pack my beach towel next time !!!! Thanks again for all of your help, enjoy the fall hiking, MikePS

 

[Stan]

Also, varying atmospheric conditions can significantly lengthen or shorten the distance to the optical horizon. (Pretty common over near-polar waters.) A mirage is an example--light from the blue sky is bent sufficiently that it looks like it is coming from the ground (and we interpret it as water).Doug

In addition, the earth flattens a bit in the arctic region making a longer distance to the visible horizon. When we were up there during winter icebreaker operations we could clearly see the lights of our helicopter (reconnoitering leads in the ice) at 75 miles away even though we were less than 100 feet above the surface and the helo sufficiently close to the ice to illuminate it with search lights.

... and on the flat plains of Texas I've been told that if you stand on a tuna fish can you can see the back of your head ... likewise on Angels Landing in Zion NP you can bend over and look over the edge and view your hindside ...