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Can You Really See Russia from Alaska?

Posted on 09/11/2008 8:21:07 PM PDT by Maceman

OK, I didn't watch the Sarah Palin interview, but apparently she made the comment that "you can actually see Russia from Alaska."

Of course, the DUmmies are all over this "gaffe", and there are numerous hits on Google about it already.

The Bering Strait is 53 miles across, which means you can't see Russia across it because of the curvature of the earth.

However, I did find one post on answers.yahoo.com that states:

Actually, the answer is yes and no. From the mainland, there is no way to see Russia from Alaska. The distance is too great.

However, there are two islands in the Bering Staight - Big Diomede and Little Diomede. The big island is Russian and the small one American. They are 1.5 miles from each other. Interestingly, the International Date Line separates the two, so there is a time difference of 23 hours between the two.

I thought that was actually an interesting little fact.

But I'm wondering, have any Freepers who have been to Alaska ever seen Russia from there?


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: alaska; beringstrait; mccain; mccainpalin; palin
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1 posted on 09/11/2008 8:21:07 PM PDT by Maceman
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To: Maceman

That means the answer is “yes.”


2 posted on 09/11/2008 8:24:26 PM PDT by Jemian (Nobama - wants to kill babies & raise taxes; Palin - wants to kill taxes & raise babies!)
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To: Maceman

I lived in Alaska for 4 years, and knew about the closeness of Big and Little Diomede islands. Didn’t go there, not many do.

By virtue of serving in the Air Force there in the 80’s during the Cold War, with aircraft that flew recon missions near Russia out of Shemya, I was aware how close we were to Russia. Very aware.


3 posted on 09/11/2008 8:24:53 PM PDT by News Junkie
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To: Maceman

You can see it soon after lift off in a plane...the Palins own a small plane, so yes, they can see Russia from Alaska.

On a clear day anyway.


4 posted on 09/11/2008 8:24:56 PM PDT by Bobalu (Obama cannot win without the kind of people that Palin appeals to.)
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To: Maceman

Yes you can. In fact here is the view from Alaska to Russia:

http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/407734.jpg


5 posted on 09/11/2008 8:25:14 PM PDT by icwhatudo (If my brother-n-law threatened to kill my father-I'd tell his boss too (Just like Palin did))
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To: Maceman

She of course was perfectly correct again. These left wing ninnies are totally confused about the USA and or its geography. (among other things).


6 posted on 09/11/2008 8:25:14 PM PDT by Don Corleone (Leave the gun..take the cannoli)
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To: Maceman
The interview was awful. Charlie was a jerk. Not an existential jerk - but one who “interfaced” with his own pompous ass too much... Charlie's nose was so far up in the air, I'm surprised he could see Sarah. I will never buy a product that's advertised on ABC News as long as I live.
7 posted on 09/11/2008 8:25:35 PM PDT by GOPJ (Biden and Obama voted for the "bridge to no where". Why doesn't the MSM care?)
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To: Maceman

The smaller island is the USA, the larger Island Russia.

Diomede Islands

8 posted on 09/11/2008 8:25:52 PM PDT by libh8er
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To: Maceman

there is an island of Alaska that YES yiu can see Russia from it....


9 posted on 09/11/2008 8:26:08 PM PDT by Jewels1091
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To: Maceman

When I read this I immediately thought of Big and Little Diomede Islands too. MSM idiots forget about the Aleutian Chain (in the Navy, we patrolled up and down the Aleutians from Kodiak NAS during the early 60s). So Gov. Palin IS CORRECT! Typical nitpickin’ Lefties, what a shameless bunch. You know, we’re not talking about being able to see Moscow for pete’s sake!


10 posted on 09/11/2008 8:26:20 PM PDT by brushcop (We remember SSG Harrison Brown, PVT Andrew Simmons B CO 2/69 3ID KIA Iraq OIF IV)
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To: Maceman

Some folks say that you can walk to Russia from Alaska during the winter. Maybe an urban legend or in this case a rural legend?


11 posted on 09/11/2008 8:26:41 PM PDT by milemark (allegedly.)
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To: icwhatudo

That pic was the view of Big Diomede, Russia from Little Diomede, Alaska


12 posted on 09/11/2008 8:26:54 PM PDT by icwhatudo (If my brother-n-law threatened to kill my father-I'd tell his boss too (Just like Palin did))
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To: Maceman

Only if your eyes are open.


13 posted on 09/11/2008 8:26:59 PM PDT by Ron in Acreage (Sarah Palin: The liberals worst nightmare.)
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To: libh8er

Distance between the USA and Russia — half a mile !


14 posted on 09/11/2008 8:27:06 PM PDT by libh8er
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To: Maceman

Just for some perspective. Looks pretty close to me.

15 posted on 09/11/2008 8:27:06 PM PDT by camerakid400
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To: Maceman

From the top of Mt. McKinely you can see Russia. However, the air must be clear, and no head-wind. Of course, Matt Damon and Pamela Anderson must be at least 800 miles away in order for the hot gas not to muddle with the view.


16 posted on 09/11/2008 8:27:09 PM PDT by Scythian
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To: Maceman

Technically, Alaska and Russia are less than 3 miles apart at their closest point in the Bering Strait where two islands, Russia’s Big Diomede Island and Alaska’s Little Diomede Island, are located. In winter it is possible to walk across the frozen Bering Strait border between these two islands.

Of course, I doubt the DUmbasses would know Jr. High level geography, so of course they would call it a gaffe.


17 posted on 09/11/2008 8:27:11 PM PDT by mnehring (Maverick/Barracuda 2008)
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To: Jemian
Of course the answer is yes. They even talked about it on one of the cruises I was on and specifically mentioned the Dimoede Islands.

Do the DUmmies really think the Governor of the state is ignorant of that fact?

18 posted on 09/11/2008 8:27:20 PM PDT by comebacknewt
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To: Maceman

Oh, and with Charlie’s nose so far up in the air - or up his behind, he’d be hard pressed to see Russia - even if it was an existential unreality.


19 posted on 09/11/2008 8:27:49 PM PDT by GOPJ (Biden and Obama voted for the "bridge to no where". Why doesn't the MSM care?)
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To: Maceman

..sorry, didn’t finish. I had a friend who actually walked the gap several years ago when it was frozen over..


20 posted on 09/11/2008 8:28:06 PM PDT by mnehring (Maverick/Barracuda 2008)
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