[LINK] More with google maps - Uluru and Great Wall

[Ivan Trundle]

On 02/05/2007, at 9:11 PM, Alastair Rankine wrote:

> On 02/05/2007, at 7:55 PM, Ivan Trundle wrote:
>
>>> Took a long time to find the great wall of China. I don't know  
>>> what they're talking about when they say they can spot it from  
>>> space.
>>
>> You can't - it's an urban myth.
>
> Well, does 180 miles up qualify as "space" ? If so, then the Great  
> Wall *is* visible from space, see http://www.snopes.com/science/ 
> greatwal.htm
>
> Also I also have to recommend http://googlesightseeing.com/ .

Some astronomers suggest that space begins more than 100km from the  
earth, though many will agree that space begins at around 100km.  
Earth's atmosphere cloud is still traceable in the geocorona at more  
than 1000km. The exosphere (where air molecules are not bound  
gravitationally to Earth) is from 300-600km, depending upon solar  
flares.

NASA astronauts can claim 'space-flying' status at 80km, whilst the  
Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) claims 100km. Low-earth  
orbits (ones that 'stick') begin at around 120-150km.

There's an interesting article referring to Richard Halliburton's  
1938 book, 'Second Book of Marvels' and more at:

http://geography.about.com/od/specificplacesofinterest/a/greatwall.htm

'Can you see the Great Wall of China from the Moon?'

...and more here:

http://www.nasa.gov/vision/space/workinginspace/great_wall.html  
(where the Pyramids are visible).

iT