What is an approximate overhead radius of observation from the ground?
The answer is that it depends on where you are. On the East Coast, between trees, buildings and hazy sky one can generally not see very far. In contrast, on the Great Plains, one can sometimes see clouds more than 100 km away. The CERES satellite ‘footprint’ (the total viewing range for one overpass) is about 20 km in diameter. If you hold your arms streched out to the side at a slight angle so that your hands are above your head, this gives an approximation of the amount of sky you should consider. The most important thing is to be consistent with your observational field of view.
