LESSON NOTE ON Importance of the Horizon Line

Importance of the Horizon

The concept of the horizon is important to different types of work, including aviation, navigation, and art. 

Pilots use the horizon to keep aircraft level while in the air. Using a method called "attitude flying," they can control their aircraft by determining the relationship between the aircraft's nose, or front end, and the horizon. Pilots can change their altitude or flight pattern by changing thehorizon to be composed of mostly sky (increasing their altitude) or mostly ground (lowering their altitude).

Before the introduction of modern tools such as global positioning system (GPS) devices, sailors depended on a clear view of the horizon to navigate the ocean. The sun's position to the horizon told sailors what time of day it was and what direction they were sailing. 

At night, sailors could use celestial navigation, or the appearance of certain stars or planets relative to thehorizon. As the Earth turns, stars and constellations rise and set on the horizon, just like the sun. Different constellations appear at different times of the year, or are only visible from certain places. The rising of the constellation of the Southern Cross, for instance, signaled that sailors were in the Southern Hemisphere.

Artists use the concept of the horizon to create perspectivein paintings and drawings. When depicted with shapes getting smaller and less detailed closer to it, a horizon can create the illusion of depth on a flat canvas. 

The horizon was also important for early methods ofcommunication. Before the radio and telegraph were invented, people couldn't communicate with anyone farther away than the local horizon.