Determination of distances
Space perception is a process through which humans and other organisms become aware of the relative positions of their bodies and objects around them. Space perception provides cues, such as depth and distance, that are important for movement and orientation to the environment [Encyclopedia Britannica].
When performing combat missions, it is often necessary to quickly and accurately determine the distance to landmarks (targets). Precise methods of measuring distances using angle meters and range finders are used in surveying. For example, an LED or radio rangefinder can determine a 3-5 km distance with an accuracy of only a few centimeters. However, these ways of determining distances are time-consuming.
In combat, distances on the ground, depending on the situation and the nature of the combat mission, are measured: by sight, steps, speedometer, the angular dimensions of objects, the linear dimensions of objects, by time and speed of movement, by the ratio of light and sound speed, by the construction of geometric figures on the ground and by other methods.
Determining the distance by sight is the easiest and fastest method, the accuracy of which depends on the observer's experience, the conditions of observation, and the distance to be determined. Determination of distance behind the speedometer is the distance traveled by car, determined as the difference between the speedometer pointer at the beginning and the end of the road. Determination of distance by the angular dimensions of objects is the method when the linear dimensions of the distant object to which the distance is measured are known. The method of determining the distance by time and speed is used to approximate the length of the traversed path, for which the average speed is multiplied during the movement [Національний університет біоресурсів і природокористування України].
Space perception. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from: https://www.britannica.com/science/space-perception.
Військова топографія. Національний університет біоресурсів і природокористування України. Retrieved from: https://elearn.nubip.edu.ua/mod/page/view.php?id=243602.