How to Measure Height of Clouds with Binoculars, Camera, etc.

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter pixel01
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Height
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on methods for estimating the height of clouds using tools such as binoculars and cameras. Participants explore various techniques and considerations related to cloud height measurement, including observational and experiential approaches.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that knowing the winds-aloft speed could allow for measuring the angular movement of clouds to estimate their height.
  • Another participant mentions that pilots often gauge cloud height based on cloud morphology, indicating that specific cloud shapes correspond to certain altitudes.
  • A participant raises the idea that cloud height might be approximated by its color, although they express uncertainty about this method.
  • A later reply challenges the validity of using color to estimate cloud height, arguing that human perception of color is too subjective for accurate measurement and stating that pilots do not consider color in their assessments.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the methods for estimating cloud height, particularly regarding the use of color as a measurement tool. There is no consensus on the effectiveness of this approach, and multiple competing views remain regarding the best methods.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on specific conditions, such as the accuracy of wind measurements and the subjective nature of color perception. The discussion does not resolve these uncertainties.

pixel01
Messages
688
Reaction score
1
Hi all

Clouds can be very high or quite low and we all just guess. How can we roughly identify the height of a cloud by using binoculars, camera or anything?

Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
If you know the winds-aloft speed, you can measure the angular movement against that.
 
Pilots usually gauge cloud height by their morphology. In other words, certain cloud shapes generally occupy specific altitudes.

- Warren
 
I have heard somewhere they can approx. the cloud's height by its color, but I am not sure. Does anyone know this?
 
pixel01 said:
I have heard somewhere they can approx. the cloud's height by its color, but I am not sure. Does anyone know this?

I can't imagine this is possible. Your eye is too subjective an instrument to be of much use in accurately measuring color. I can tell you that, as a pilot, we do not consider color at all.

- Warren
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K