Date: Wed, 29 Jan 1997 17:57:53 -0500
From: Alex Bogomolny
Tom:
The distance in question is determined from Dist=sqrt(a(2R+a)), where R is the radius of the Earth and a the height of the fellow. If you take R=3960 mi, and assume that 1 mi = 5280'', then you get an estimate of 3.1 mi. This is a simple application of the Pythagorean Theorem: R2+Dist2=(R+a)2.
With regard to your second question, I am not quite certain where would you place a 200 feet island. Wherever you place it, as long as it's in the line of sight, it will obviously obscure the view. If it's behind the horizon but still protruding to be visible, it becomes a part of the view, is it not? :)
Regards
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