Definition
A light first seen as the vessel closes the coast is at its geographical range. The range in nautical miles is approximately 2.08 times the sum of the square roots of the height of the light and the height of eye, both in metres. Rising and dipping distance tables in almanacs tabulate this directly. Combined with a simultaneous compass bearing it yields a fix. Abnormal refraction and haze can shift the observed moment by a mile or more.
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