If objects (like boats or buildings or mountains) that are no longer visible because they are a great distance away from us, people may think that they are not visible because they are beyond the curve of the earth, but if they were past the curve then it would not be possible to zoom into the distance with a camera and see distant objects.
This question was asked to ChatGPT.
how can a binoculars see through the physical barrier of the earth’s curve?
Binoculars cannot see through the physical barrier of the Earth’s curve. The Earth is not flat, but spherical, and its curvature blocks the view of distant objects beyond a certain point. The distance to the horizon depends on the height of the observer and the radius of the Earth(popsci.com). Binoculars can only magnify the image of what is already visible to the eye, but they cannot extend the line of sight beyond the horizon. For example, if you are standing on a beach at a height of 2 meters above sea level, you can see the horizon about 5 kilometers away(earthscience.stackexchange.com). If you use binoculars with a 10x magnification, you can see objects that are 5 kilometers away more clearly, but you cannot see anything beyond that distance. To see farther, you would need to increase your height or move to a different location. The higher you are, the farther you can see. For instance, if you are on top of a mountain at a height of 1000 meters, you can see the horizon about 113 kilometers away(earthscience.stackexchange.com). Binoculars can help you see more details of objects that are within that range, but they cannot show you what is behind the curve of the Earth.
The use of optical aids like binoculars or telescopes can greatly enhance your ability to see distant objects. They can magnify the image and overcome the limitations imposed by the curvature of the Earth, enabling you to observe objects that would be beyond the range of naked-eye visibility.
