"JIMMIE" wrote in message
...
On Sep 5, 6:37 pm, "christofire" wrote:

It is conceivable that the Coriolis effect may act upon EM radiation.
But given the speed of propagation of the radiowaves the effect would
truly be miniscule. I Art thinks the rotation of the earth has any
significant effect on EM propagation he should show some reference. Im
not going to hold my breath until that happens.

the key with the coriolis effect is that the earth turns under something
that is moving north or south at different rates. it doesn't affect what is
moving, that still follows normal physics... so basically something launched
from the equator going north will have a higher velocity to the east than an
observer north of it so it will appear to bend to the east. it really
didn't, its just that the observer didn't move fast enough to keep up with
it. that is why it is an 'effect' and not a 'force'. the object travels in
a normal ballistic path as if the earth wasn't there once it leaves the
launching point... so if you shine your laser north from the equator it will
'appear' to bend east, but if it did actually follow the earth's curvature
it would only very slightly miss the north pole.