Longest line of sight (UK)

[CharlieSpotted]

I know it's unfinished, but as it stands I'm not sure whether it's ugly or beautiful!! Maybe if each level was painted a different colour I'd get to like it more!

Much of the buildings going up in the area (once centered around Madin's divisive Central Library ) are identikit glass-and-steel boxes, could be any city in the world, but at least the Octagon stands with Birmingham's tradition of divisive architecture.

 

[Howardh]

Much of the buildings going up in the area (once centered around Madin's divisive Central Library ) are identikit glass-and-steel boxes, could be any city in the world, but at least the Octagon stands with Birmingham's tradition of divisive architecture.

The skyline of London - not totally sure of the area but Docklands - behind St Pauls (you can see it all from London Bridge - Blackfriars) is outstanding, save for that building that looks like a sail (am I in the right area??). So why can't all sky-high developments look as good??

 

[Cross City]

According to Google Earth, 30.14 miles from the Wrekin summit to Birmingham's BT Tower

Birmingham being on a quite sizeable plateau certainly helps. From my office window in west Brum I can easily see the Wrakin and Shropshire hills quite often and occasionally some hills further away to the south/west which I assume are somewhere in Wales. I'll try to remember to snag a photo next time I see them.

 

[Howardh]

Birmingham being on a quite sizeable plateau certainly helps. From my office window in west Brum I can easily see the Wrakin and Shropshire hills quite often and occasionally some hills further away to the south/west which I assume are somewhere in Wales. I'll try to remember to snag a photo next time I see them.

West Brom is supposed to be the highest professional football ground in the UK, so if all the buildings around Brum were removed then it should look quite a hill from afar? That aside, how high above sea level would the top of, say, the BT tower be, and how far would it be possible to see from there? Any photos, he asks hopefully?!

 

[Cross City]

West Brom is supposed to be the highest professional football ground in the UK, so if all the buildings around Brum were removed then it should look quite a hill from afar? That aside, how high above sea level would the top of, say, the BT tower be, and how far would it be possible to see from there? Any photos, he asks hopefully?!

The BT Tower isn't the tallest buikding in Brum anymore I don't think. When the Octagon is finished that'll be the tallest at 155m from ground level and a snip under 1000ft above sea level at the top.

https://www.paradisebirmingham.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Octagon_Plans.pdf

The bits towards Quinton and Halesowen are higher than the city centre which is where my office is. Unfortunately it faces west and not towards the city or else I'd get some great views.

 

[nw1]

Going back to a theme that has come up in previous posts: in clear conditions with limited light pollution, I wonder how far away the red lights on TV transmitters can be seen with the naked eye?

It's come up before that there is a line of sight between the upper part of the Chillerton Down mast on the Isle of Wight and the hills above Cherbourg. This is about 60 miles. Thus, from the hills above Cherbourg and with only sea between (hence limited light pollution) I wonder if it would be possible, under exceptionally clear conditions, to sight the red lights of the upper part of the Chillerton Down mast? The fact that there would be few other light sources in between (unless a ship happened to be passing) might make it easier to discern even a single red light, perhaps.

 

[Greetlander]

Was reading yesterday that it's possible that from the summit of Boulsworth Hill - (just over the border into Pendle from Calderdale) it's possible to see the big rollercoaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Can anyone confirm and/or provide photographic proof?

 

[nw1]

Birmingham being on a quite sizeable plateau certainly helps. From my office window in west Brum I can easily see the Wrakin and Shropshire hills quite often and occasionally some hills further away to the south/west which I assume are somewhere in Wales. I'll try to remember to snag a photo next time I see them.

Not sure where you are but these could possibly be the Malvern Hills or even Black Mountains, both are visible from the Lickey / Clent hills to the south of Birmingham.

 

[davehsug]

Was reading yesterday that it's possible that from the summit of Boulsworth Hill - (just over the border into Pendle from Calderdale) it's possible to see the big rollercoaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Can anyone confirm and/or provide photographic proof?

Can't see why it wouldn't be if there's a clear sight line? We know it's easily visible from Winter Hill and ridges northwards.

 

[Howardh]

Can't see why it wouldn't be if there's a clear sight line? We know it's easily visible from Winter Hill and ridges northwards.

Apparently there's been a recent fault with the bright red mast lights, they were dimmed or out, and a member of the public had to alert them.

I wish I'd kept the link, if anyone local has any details I'd love to know more, especially if nobody knew the lights were out how could air traffic be alerted?

Normally those lights can, literally, be seen from dozens of miles away - that's what they're for - but I remember them being upgraded years ago and the difference was noticeable!

How often can they be seen from the Isle of Man without binoculars? Or from North Wales?

 

[Cross City]

Not sure where you are but these could possibly be the Malvern Hills or even Black Mountains, both are visible from the Lickey / Clent hills to the south of Birmingham.

Yeah I'm north of the Lickey's when I'm at work and they're definitely not the Malverns, the Lickeys block any view of those when you're in Brum.

 

[nw1]

Yeah I'm north of the Lickey's when I'm at work and they're definitely not the Malverns, the Lickeys block any view of those when you're in Brum.

In that case I'd guess the Black Mountains. I presume you know the Clee Hills of Shropshire and it's not those.

 

[Altrincham]

I’ve been intrigued recently by possible of lines of sight from the upper parts of Sheffield. It seems that the area around Ringinglow is good for spotting the upper parts of the Humber Bridge (especially the bridge’s red lights on clear nights). I think there’s mention of it earlier on in this thread. And I have read that it may even be possible to see Lincoln cathedral from Sheffield.

I have come across a picture showing York Minster from Ringinglow Lane. It makes me wonder if (further up the road) there are parts of Derbyshire where it might be possible to see the aforementioned cathedrals and bridge.

York Minster from Sheffield (Ringinglow... © R cc-by-sa/2.0

Long distance photograph. Taken using a blackberry and a bird spotter last year. The Minster is visible behind Ferrybridge power station.

www.geograph.org.uk

 

[Halish Railway]

I’ve been intrigued recently by possible of lines of sight from the upper parts of Sheffield. It seems that the area around Ringinglow is good for spotting the upper parts of the Humber Bridge (especially the bridge’s red lights on clear nights). I think there’s mention of it earlier on in this thread. And I have read that it may even be possible to see Lincoln cathedral from Sheffield.

I have come across a picture showing York Minster from Ringinglow Lane. It makes me wonder if (further up the road) there are parts of Derbyshire where it might be possible to see the aforementioned cathedrals and bridge.

York Minster from Sheffield (Ringinglow... © R cc-by-sa/2.0

Long distance photograph. Taken using a blackberry and a bird spotter last year. The Minster is visible behind Ferrybridge power station.

www.geograph.org.uk

It’s possible to see York Minster from Ilkley Moor as well on a good day.

 

[Howardh]

OK - is this photo genuine or not? I think it probably is, even if below the horizon mountains can be seen due to something along the lines of temperature inversion (??) but anyway, if therw was zero atmosphere as on the moon, is it theoretically possible to see Snowdonia from Ireland without special atmospheric effects?

https://extra.ie/2021/01/15/news/photo-welsh-mountains-from-howth (Photo may be copyrighted so I'll just leave the link)

A photograph of Welsh mountains taken from Dublin’s Howth summit has divided opinion, as some felt the picture might not be genuine.

Earlier this week, amateur photographer Niall O’Carroll snapped a photo of Snowden Mountains in Wales from Howth summit, claiming that clear January skies allowed him to see 140km across the Irish Sea.

When the photo was posted on Today FM’s Facebook, many social media users expressed their scepticism, with one comment reading: ‘Nope I’m not buying it.

My money is that it IS possible and the photo isn't faked, based on "Generate A Panorama"

Panorama

 

[najaB]

if therw was zero atmosphere as on the moon, is it theoretically possible to see Snowdonia from Ireland without special atmospheric effects?

I don't see why not. Though, an atmosphere makes it easier to see distant objects, assuming that there's no cloud/haze.

 

[181]

The first post of this thread says that the longest theoretical line of sight in the UK is from Snowdon to Merrick at 144 miles, and I presume that 'theoretical' means based on geometry without any help (or more likely hindrance) from the atmosphere, so 140 km ought to be easily possible. I have seen Ireland (presumably the Wicklow Mountains) from Snowdon, so I'd expect the reverse to be possible; I wasn't sure whether the Hill of Howth was high enough, but https://viewfinderpanoramas.org/panoramas/WAL/SNOWDON-N.gif indicates that it is. Furthermore, although the panorama in post #945 is from an altitude of 450m, that from the Hill of Howth includes the Welsh mountains, and the zoomed-in version looks similar to the photograph.

The picture does look surprisingly clear -- all I saw in the opposite direction was some vague outlines, as far as I can remember -- but maybe that's just good luck with the weather. Perhaps it's been processed to enhance the contrast (I know very little about such things), but I see no reason to doubt that the basic image is genuine.

 

[Gonzoiku]

The first post of this thread says that the longest theoretical line of sight in the UK is from Snowdon to Merrick at 144 miles, and I presume that 'theoretical' means based on geometry without any help (or more likely hindrance) from the atmosphere, so 140 km ought to be easily possible. I have seen Ireland (presumably the Wicklow Mountains) from Snowdon, so I'd expect the reverse to be possible; I wasn't sure whether the Hill of Howth was high enough, but https://viewfinderpanoramas.org/panoramas/WAL/SNOWDON-N.gif indicates that it is. Furthermore, although the panorama in post #945 is from an altitude of 450m, that from the Hill of Howth includes the Welsh mountains, and the zoomed-in version looks similar to the photograph.

The picture does look surprisingly clear -- all I saw in the opposite direction was some vague outlines, as far as I can remember -- but maybe that's just good luck with the weather. Perhaps it's been processed to enhance the contrast (I know very little about such things), but I see no reason to doubt that the basic image is genuine.

Impressive photo.

Thing is, if it is a composite of two images from what point was the photo of the mountains taken, if not from the Ben of Howth? I don't see many other candidate spots

GZ

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Definitely possible... If you add the horizon distance from the height of the top of Snowdon to the height from which the picture was taken, the answer is just over 100 miles - given that we are seeing only the top portion of the Welsh Highlands in the picture, it's correct for the distance.

The air last week was exceptionally clear - I was following the front of a medium length aircraft contrail from passing overhead me in Epsom until it vanished on the south west horizon, still just about visible, and Flight Radar 24 showed that it was over Guernsey when I lost it below the horizon.

If the air was clear and still enough to allow that, it's more than clear and still enough to allow a sharp photo, from the necessary elevation, of some mountains at half that distance.

 

[Taunton]

There are a number of photographs around of similar, more usually taken from the Wicklow Mountains rather than Howth, and one or two the other way, of Ireland hilltops taken from Snowdon.

 

[TheHSRailFan]

Hey everyone,
It's been a year!

I haven't been able to upload all this as that requires transferring the photos from my phone to my PC, which takes time. Back in mid-December I was up in Manchester at my sisters for a bit of time off to explore stuff. After a few recommendations on this I made the inpulse on the 19th on a Journey to Bolton to visit Winter Hill. Annoyingly, I had a bit of wait before the 535 bus. After getting off at a stop (conviently named 'San Marino' after the place next to it) and a walk up the hill I was pleasantly greeted with a somewhat good view.
This first Image is on the way up Looking North. You don't really get a good view DIRECTLY north after this image.


View of the city centre of Manchester. By how hazy it was, you could tell it was't going to be an excellent day... as well as a view looking South West way towards Chester and what not.


At this point I had moved to another Hill nearby called 'Rivington Pike' which had a small tower on top of it. First image is of Blackpool Tower (around 25 Miles/40.2km away) in the few pixels it takes up. 2nd image is looking directly west with the Irish sea being barely visable. 3rd image is looking North from the Pike, I have no idea what the white tall structure is. If anyone whos from the NW knows do tell.


I then spent 2 hours walking around before Sunset before coming back to the hill, hoping the sun would burn through some of this myst. Sadly my results where ok but not what I wanted. Image 1 is looking almost east. I could see Liverpool Port very easily 2 hours ago, however not now thanks to the cloud. Image 2 however showed a different story, the Irish sea is more visable in this as well as the Ribble estury... and Blackpool tower a little. You may also notice on 2 and as we look at 3 that the hills and mountains(i guess a little) of the Lake District(around 50 Miles/80.4km away) come into view which was a suprise. It was nice seeing them even though they where barely visable.


Theres 2 more images, one being a zoom into the port of 2 hours before and another looking east again to a stunning view of the clouds. However I have reached the image limit and they don't really contribute in this post. While the view of the sunset was nice, I was slightly dissapointed (with my original but overly ambious aim of seeing Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon) But still got some good views.

This may not be 10/10 or as good as others but hey hoo, my next step is getting a proper camera (both for this and trains ofc ) so i can take some proper zoomed in photos.

 

[Howardh]

Hey everyone,
It's been a year!

I haven't been able to upload all this as that requires transferring the photos from my phone to my PC, which takes time. Back in mid-December I was up in Manchester at my sisters for a bit of time off to explore stuff. After a few recommendations on this I made the inpulse on the 19th on a Journey to Bolton to visit Winter Hill. Annoyingly, I had a bit of wait before the 535 bus. After getting off at a stop (conviently named 'San Marino' after the place next to it) and a walk up the hill I was pleasantly greeted with a somewhat good view.
This first Image is on the way up Looking North. You don't really get a good view DIRECTLY north after this image.
View attachment 177370

View of the city centre of Manchester. By how hazy it was, you could tell it was't going to be an excellent day... as well as a view looking South West way towards Chester and what not.
View attachment 177372View attachment 177373

At this point I had moved to another Hill nearby called 'Rivington Pike' which had a small tower on top of it. First image is of Blackpool Tower (around 25 Miles/40.2km away) in the few pixels it takes up. 2nd image is looking directly east with the Irish sea being barely visable. 3rd image is looking North from the Pike, I have no idea what the white tall structure is. If anyone whos from the NW knows do tell.
View attachment 177374View attachment 177375View attachment 177376

I then spent 2 hours walking around before Sunset before coming back to the hill, hoping the sun would burn through some of this myst. Sadly my results where ok but not what I wanted. Image 1 is looking almost east. I could see Liverpool Port very easily 2 hours ago, however not now thanks to the cloud. Image 2 however showed a different story, the Irish sea is more visable in this as well as the Ribble estury... and Blackpool tower a little. You may also notice on 2 and as we look at 3 that the hills and mountains(i guess a little) of the Lake District(around 50 Miles/80.4km away) come into view which was a suprise. It was nice seeing them even though they where barely visable.
View attachment 177377View attachment 177378View attachment 177379

Theres 2 more images, one being a zoom into the port of 2 hours before and another looking east again to a stunning view of the clouds. However I have reached the image limit and they don't really contribute in this post. While the view of the sunset was nice, I was slightly dissapointed (with my original but overly ambious aim of seeing Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon) But still got some good views.

This may not be 10/10 or as good as others but hey hoo, my next step is getting a proper camera (both for this and trains ofc ) so i can take some proper zoomed in photos.

Great stuff from my own backyard!
I bought a Panasonic Lumix ZX 99 to replace my aged ZX 70, although not the main reason for buying, I believe the zoom is at least 30x, how good that is for long distance shots only time will tell, yet to use it for that purpose.

As for the photos above, I'm on my mobile right now so difficult to see in detail, you mentioned Rivington Pike, think it's a "beacon" site so obviously good for long distance views and also being seen!

Meanwhile for those who think Bolton's a grimy Northern town, think all the above were taken inside the borough's boundary and we do have our own volunteer mountain rescue team!

 

[King Lazy]

Hey everyone,
It's been a year!

I haven't been able to upload all this as that requires transferring the photos from my phone to my PC, which takes time. Back in mid-December I was up in Manchester at my sisters for a bit of time off to explore stuff. After a few recommendations on this I made the inpulse on the 19th on a Journey to Bolton to visit Winter Hill. Annoyingly, I had a bit of wait before the 535 bus. After getting off at a stop (conviently named 'San Marino' after the place next to it) and a walk up the hill I was pleasantly greeted with a somewhat good view.
This first Image is on the way up Looking North. You don't really get a good view DIRECTLY north after this image.
View attachment 177370

View of the city centre of Manchester. By how hazy it was, you could tell it was't going to be an excellent day... as well as a view looking South West way towards Chester and what not.
View attachment 177372View attachment 177373

At this point I had moved to another Hill nearby called 'Rivington Pike' which had a small tower on top of it. First image is of Blackpool Tower (around 25 Miles/40.2km away) in the few pixels it takes up. 2nd image is looking directly east with the Irish sea being barely visable. 3rd image is looking North from the Pike, I have no idea what the white tall structure is. If anyone whos from the NW knows do tell.
View attachment 177374View attachment 177375View attachment 177376

I then spent 2 hours walking around before Sunset before coming back to the hill, hoping the sun would burn through some of this myst. Sadly my results where ok but not what I wanted. Image 1 is looking almost east. I could see Liverpool Port very easily 2 hours ago, however not now thanks to the cloud. Image 2 however showed a different story, the Irish sea is more visable in this as well as the Ribble estury... and Blackpool tower a little. You may also notice on 2 and as we look at 3 that the hills and mountains(i guess a little) of the Lake District(around 50 Miles/80.4km away) come into view which was a suprise. It was nice seeing them even though they where barely visable.
View attachment 177377View attachment 177378View attachment 177379

Theres 2 more images, one being a zoom into the port of 2 hours before and another looking east again to a stunning view of the clouds. However I have reached the image limit and they don't really contribute in this post. While the view of the sunset was nice, I was slightly dissapointed (with my original but overly ambious aim of seeing Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon) But still got some good views.

This may not be 10/10 or as good as others but hey hoo, my next step is getting a proper camera (both for this and trains ofc ) so i can take some proper zoomed in photos.

It’s not too easy to make out the detail on your picture but regarding the white “tall structure”

I think this may be a mix of 2 structures. The vertical line is possibly a large wind turbine to the west of the A6 near Garstang and the horizontal line behind is I believe the top of one of the reactor buildings at Heysham nuclear power station.

I’d have to draw a line on a map which I can’t do right now to confirm.

 

[Gonzoiku]

It’s not too easy to make out the detail on your picture but regarding the white “tall structure”

I think this may be a mix of 2 structures. The vertical line is possibly a large wind turbine to the west of the A6 near Garstang and the horizontal line behind is I believe the top of one of the reactor buildings at Heysham nuclear power station.

I’d have to draw a line on a map which I can’t do right now to confirm.

OS 1:50000 map consulted, line drawn, agreed on basis of assumed location of turbine.

GZ

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

It’s not quite within the rules but I took a photo of a burning ball of hydrogen gas approx 150-million km away from my back garden this morning, with part of it obscured by a ball of rock approx 385-thousand km away from me in the foreground. Does that count?

 

[TheSmiths82]

I have been told it is possible to see the Beetham Tower in Manchester from Snowdonia. The Beetham Tower is no longer the tallest in Manchester and with the skyline rapidly increasing to make Canary Wharf look like a small village I am guessing Manchester city centre will be even easier to spot from miles away.

 

[King Lazy]

OS 1:50000 map consulted, line drawn, agreed on basis of assumed location of turbine.

OS 1:50000 map consulted, line drawn, agreed on basis of assumed location of turbine.

GZ

Thanks. I’m power station is a distinctive set of buildings. The photo when zoomed seems to show them slightly offset so it seemed a reasonably educated guess.

OS 1:50000 map consulted, line drawn, agreed on basis of assumed location of turbine.

GZ

Thanks! I’m familiar with both landmarks and knew the direction would be roughly correct so felt relatively confident to make the guess. On the photo it looks like the vertical white line is slightly right of the horizontal one which again made me fairly certain they’re two structures.

 

[Lloyds siding]

It’s not quite within the rules but I took a photo of a burning ball of hydrogen gas approx 150-million km away from my back garden this morning, with part of it obscured by a ball of rock approx 385-thousand km away from me in the foreground. Does that count?

Well, that puts everyone else's observations in the shade!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Well, that puts everyone else's observations in the shade!

...but it doesn't win because the Andromeda Galaxy is visible with the naked eye from a properly dark location ( when it's not cloudy ) and that's about 3 million light years away...

 

[D6130]

Hey everyone,
It's been a year!

I haven't been able to upload all this as that requires transferring the photos from my phone to my PC, which takes time. Back in mid-December I was up in Manchester at my sisters for a bit of time off to explore stuff. After a few recommendations on this I made the inpulse on the 19th on a Journey to Bolton to visit Winter Hill. Annoyingly, I had a bit of wait before the 535 bus. After getting off at a stop (conviently named 'San Marino' after the place next to it) and a walk up the hill I was pleasantly greeted with a somewhat good view.
This first Image is on the way up Looking North. You don't really get a good view DIRECTLY north after this image.
View attachment 177370

View of the city centre of Manchester. By how hazy it was, you could tell it was't going to be an excellent day... as well as a view looking South West way towards Chester and what not.
View attachment 177372View attachment 177373

At this point I had moved to another Hill nearby called 'Rivington Pike' which had a small tower on top of it. First image is of Blackpool Tower (around 25 Miles/40.2km away) in the few pixels it takes up. 2nd image is looking directly east with the Irish sea being barely visable. 3rd image is looking North from the Pike, I have no idea what the white tall structure is. If anyone whos from the NW knows do tell.
View attachment 177374View attachment 177375View attachment 177376

I then spent 2 hours walking around before Sunset before coming back to the hill, hoping the sun would burn through some of this myst. Sadly my results where ok but not what I wanted. Image 1 is looking almost east. I could see Liverpool Port very easily 2 hours ago, however not now thanks to the cloud. Image 2 however showed a different story, the Irish sea is more visable in this as well as the Ribble estury... and Blackpool tower a little. You may also notice on 2 and as we look at 3 that the hills and mountains(i guess a little) of the Lake District(around 50 Miles/80.4km away) come into view which was a suprise. It was nice seeing them even though they where barely visable.
View attachment 177377View attachment 177378View attachment 177379

Theres 2 more images, one being a zoom into the port of 2 hours before and another looking east again to a stunning view of the clouds. However I have reached the image limit and they don't really contribute in this post. While the view of the sunset was nice, I was slightly dissapointed (with my original but overly ambious aim of seeing Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon) But still got some good views.

This may not be 10/10 or as good as others but hey hoo, my next step is getting a proper camera (both for this and trains ofc ) so i can take some proper zoomed in photos.

Some great photos there.....but - if I may make a small observation - the views towards Blackpool, Liverpool and the Irish Sea are looking to the West, not the East.