Says the Earth is Spherical??? I really need an Answer for this!!!
2006-09-10 11:49:54 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Jeez. What, do you think all those pics from space are fake?
That's a new one for the conspiracy buffs.
Also, simple observation:
1. Ships disappear over the horizon
2. The constellations are upside down when viewed from Southern Hemisphere.
3. Time zones would not work
4. Seasons would be hard to explain
5. Ships navigation since the 1500's are based on a spherical world.
6. Maps are all based on spherical world, and would be nonsense if it wasn't speherical
6. Earth's shadow on moon during lunar eclipse
I suspect the Asker is just trying to see what answers we come up with. Surely she does not think the Earth is flat. But then who knows, there are some strange people on the internet.
2006-09-10 12:27:31 · answer #1 · answered by nick s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think all planets and stars are essentially spheres, and the reason is always the same: gravity. Drop anything and it falls towards the center of the earth. Build a mountain, or any projection from the surface of the earth, and eventually it wears flat as the material at the top is pulled down. The same held true as planets and stars formed = as the matter accumulated, gravity molded it into spheres.
One of the other answers pointed out that the earth bulges a bit around the middle. I think this is due to the centrifugal force (centripital acceleration) of the rotation of the earth. Again, the same is true of other planets and of the stars: they bulge around the middle and so are not completely spherical.
If your question is how has the shape of the planet actually been observed, well then there are lots of answers:
Ancient peoples noticed that as a ship sailed towards the horizon, its top sails disappeared last.
After Columbus, people began circumnavigating the globe by sailing ship and recently, this has been done with planes and even balloons.
And with the advent of space travel, those who have been in space have seen the globe with their own eyes and photographed it to show the rest of us.
2006-09-10 12:42:45 · answer #2 · answered by Bad Brain Punk 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll go with Mike, but you need to be good to spot it. For most purposes IT IS a sphere. What do you expect them to say? Pyramidal? Hexidecagon? NOT flat, surely?????
2006-09-10 11:56:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you need, is to go to school and PAY ATTENTION!!!!
The Earth is ROUND. You know, LIKE A BALL, ORANGE, PEA... The Earth is NOT FLAT, like your head!!!
GOD!!!!!!!
I BESEECH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
STRIKE ME DOWN BEFORE HER GENERATION TAKES CONTROL OF THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-09-10 11:56:13 · answer #4 · answered by ICG 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's really slightly oval.
2006-09-10 11:54:50 · answer #5 · answered by Me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋