Cloud Height Calculator

How to Use the Cloud Height Calculator

1. Enter the Observed Angle of Sun in degrees. This is the angle measured from the horizontal line to the sun as observed from the ground.
2. Enter the Atmospheric Refraction in degrees. This is the bending of light rays as they pass through the atmosphere. A typical value is 0.56667 degrees.
3. Click the Calculate button to compute the cloud height.
4. The calculated cloud height will be displayed in degrees.

Working Principle

The cloud height is calculated based on the observed angle of the sun and the atmospheric refraction. The formula used is:

Cloud Height (H) = (90 - observedAngle) + atmosphericRefraction

This formula assumes that the sun is at a certain angle above the horizon and that the light rays are bent as they pass through the atmosphere, allowing us to determine the height of the cloud layer.

Example

If the observed angle of the sun is 85 degrees and the atmospheric refraction is 0.56667 degrees, the cloud height would be:

Cloud Height = (90 - 85) + 0.56667 = 5 + 0.56667 = 5.57 degrees