Does the rotation of the earth have any effect upon artillery fire?
For example, if a target is out to 20,000 meters, as the earth turns below while the shell is in the air, would this not affect where the shell would land?
For example, if a target is out to 20,000 meters, as the earth turns below while the shell is in the air, would this not affect where the shell would land?
1 Answer
Feb 17, 2016
Yes - Trajectory calculation of long range projectiles must account for the Coriolis Effect.
Explanation:
In the northern hemisphere a projectile fired northward (away from equator) would appear to drift eastward due to coriollis effect and those that are fired southward (towards the equator) would appear to drift westward.
A simple and intuitive explanation of Coriollis Effect can be found in the following video :
