What is the Coriolis effect in ballistics?

The Coriolis effect in ballistics refers to the apparent deflection of a projectile caused by the rotation of the Earth as the projectile travels through the air. When a projectile is fired, it doesn't travel in a perfectly straight line because the Earth is rotating beneath it. This effect is particularly significant over long distances, where even a small deviation can lead to changes in hitting the intended target.

As the Earth rotates, it affects the path of the projectile, causing it to appear to curve relative to an observer on the ground. This deflection is influenced by the latitude of the firing location and the direction in which the projectile is fired. Understanding the Coriolis effect is essential for advanced marksmanship and precision shooting, especially in long-range scenarios, where it can impact accuracy if not accounted for in calculations.