2 ms·
Relevant xkcd https://xkcd.com/1276/ https://xkcd.com/1276/ in spite it doesn't have the ISS. The projection from the center of the Earth is 109m/(6380+408)Km*
by gus_massa 2y ago
Relevant xkcd https://xkcd.com/1276/ https://xkcd.com/1276/ in spite it doesn't have the ISS.
The projection from the center of the Earth is 109m/(6380+408)Km*6380Km = 102m (336ft), similar to the projection of Neptune.
But the angular size in your eyes maped to the Earth surface is 109m/408Km*6380Km = 1.7Km (1.0 mi) similar to the projection of Jupiter.
For objects that are far enough both calculations are equivalent, but for the size in a photo I think the second is the relevant one.