2006-07-30 23:29:11 · 11 answers · asked by paul h 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Contrary to the common belief, we know the world is spherical since from the Greeks. Indeed, the hypothesis was first formulated by Pythagoras (570 BC) and then verified by measuring Earth's radius by Eratosthenes (240 BC).
It is true that common people found this difficult to accept still in the Middle Ages (and some people even today!), but in fact, from the time there were ships to observe at the horizon, scientists have known the issue quite well.
2006-07-30 23:43:01 · answer #1 · answered by Flavio 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Earlier it was explained that we could see objects only upto a certain distance. Hence v couldn't c the bottom of a ship far out at sea.
2006-07-31 07:49:19 · answer #2 · answered by sidrav_91 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I doubt your question was ever asked but before we knew the world was round sailors thought the sea was endless , stories that they thought they could sail of the end of the world probably relate to the fact that most ships that sailed off into the unknown never returned , so instead of saying they failed it was better to say they were brave men who sailed to the end of the world and gave their lives to prove there was nothing else out there to be discovered .
2006-07-31 06:45:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the water is cloudy ...
Same applies today most of the time as there are
few seas clear enough to see the bottom of a sea
going ship ... ;-) ...
2006-07-31 06:36:30 · answer #4 · answered by Gone 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because the bottom of the ships under water
2006-07-31 06:43:20 · answer #5 · answered by paulamathers 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The earth isnt round, it is still flat and resting on an infinate number of purple turtles.
LMAO
You know, that there are still some people that believe this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh and they still believe other crazy things like heaven and ghosts.
2006-07-31 07:41:44 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What difference does it make if the world is round or flat - you still can't see the bottom of the ship - duh
2006-07-31 06:38:09 · answer #7 · answered by Jeff J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a myth that peolpe ever thought the earth was flat!
Sorry to burst your bubble.
2006-07-31 06:34:46 · answer #8 · answered by Rob G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sailors always knew the earth was round, but the church said it was flat so they kept their mouths shut for fear of persecution
2006-07-31 11:19:12 · answer #9 · answered by shiara_blade 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dunno were you live but even if the ship was up close you still can't see the bottom of the ship!
2006-07-31 06:35:52 · answer #10 · answered by i_b_moog 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋