Is it Possible to Capture a Complete Image of Earth from Space?

[Mr Lollipop]

I've been messing around with some circle theorems and found that you couldn't possibly take a picture of a full Earth from a single shot. Is this impossible? Is their some math to prove otherwise, I'm really stuck.

 

[berkeman]

I've been messing around with some circle theorems and found that you couldn't possibly take a picture of a full Earth from a single shot. Is this impossible? Is their some math to prove otherwise, I'm really stuck.

Welcome to the PF.

What distance are you using for your calculations?

 

[phinds]

I've been messing around with some circle theorems and found that you couldn't possibly take a picture of a full Earth from a single shot. Is this impossible? Is their some math to prove otherwise, I'm really stuck.

Huh? Do you mean a single shot taking a pic of the entire surface of the Earth? That's rather trivially impossible so I'm thinking you must be asking something else but I can't figure out what.

 

[berkeman]

I'm guessing he means a full hemisphere, but we'll see what his reply is...

 

[Mr Lollipop]

Welcome to the PF.

What distance are you using for your calculations?

I used the ISS space station data of the horizon, tried to calculate surface area underneath using two separate techniques. I also drew out some diagrams involving circles and spheres, to my dismay came across some irregularities.

Thank-you FP [emoji1]

 

[berkeman]

View attachment 204542

I used the ISS space station data of the horizon, tried to calculate surface area underneath using two separate techniques. I also drew out some diagrams involving circles and spheres, to my dismay came across some irregularities.

Thank-you FP [emoji1]

Could you please describe in words what "irregularities" you are finding?

 

[Mr Lollipop]

Could you please describe in words what "irregularities" you are finding?

I have an overall theory, but this image could probably describe it better than I can. Sorta touching on quantum mechanics.

 

[berkeman]

I have an overall theory, but this image could probably describe it better than I can. Sorta touching on quantum mechanics.

View attachment 204543

Well, we don't discuss personal theories here at the PF. If you are having problems with some math in your calculations, you can post that (prefereably type it into the forum, rather than posting fuzzy cell phone pictures). There is a LaTeX tutorial here to help you learn to type equations:

https://www.physicsforums.com/help/latexhelp/

 

[Mr Lollipop]

I don't think they're personal theories because I'd be surprised if nobody reached similar conclusion. But cheers, I will try to better my layout.

 

[jim mcnamara]

It seems this thread has multiple issues. Please repost what you have in the Topology and Analysis forums. It does not appear to have anything to do with Quantum Mechanics.

Thank you.