Wndsn Elevation Calculator
High-precision elevation calculator. Companion to Wndsn Quadrant Telemeters: Low tech, high utility graphical distance computers from the Wndsn applied science lab.
Measuring ground distance and vantage point height from an elevation (or depression).
Measuring from an elevation.
Input
Explanation
When measuring -- with the Telemeter -- heights of objects that are not on the same level as the vantage point, the triangle becomes skewed and the resulting angular size is distorted if we are looking to solve right triangles. But we don't have to; thanks to the law of sines.
The same concept can be applied to measuring the distance to "skewed" objects without a right angle solution. Measure altitude difference relative to shared base, e.g. the distance to a lighthouse of known height, measured from a skyscraper of unknown height, or the altitude of a structure on a mountain, measured from a valley, or the distance and altitude of an airplane of known size.
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