Sea horizon

From International Dictionary of Marine Aids to Navigation
Jump to navigation Jump to search

1-2-110

The small circle on the earth's surface at which the sea and sky appear to meet, forming the field of view. As a result of the curvature of the earth and of atmospheric refraction of light, the observer can see more than half the celestial sphere. The visible horizon therefore lies below the celestial horizon.




Please note that this is the term as it stands in the original IALA Dictionary edition (1970-1989)