2007-05-08 01:25:00 · 17 answers · asked by Mircea V 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
"Now that we have access to space, the easiest way to prove the Earth is spherical is to leave it and view it from a distance. Astronauts and space probes have done just that. Every picture of Earth ever taken shows only a circular shape, and the only geometric solid which looks like a circle from any direction is a sphere.
One of the oldest proofs of the Earth's shape, however, can be seen from the ground and occurs during every lunar eclipse. The geometry of a lunar eclipse has been known since ancient Greece. When a full Moon occurs in the plane of Earth's orbit, the Moon slowly moves through Earth's shadow. Every time that shadow is seen, its edge is round. Once again, the only solid that always projects a round shadow is a sphere. "
Finally, my favorite proof, if the earth was flat, we would not be able to fly or sail around the world - we would fall off the end.
2007-05-08 01:35:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I presume you are asking "Is the earth flat?"
No, it is not flat. It is a sphere, like a ball.
If you look at the horizon over an ocean, then you can not see the continent on the other side. This is because the earth curves downward so that anything past the horizon is literally "beneath" the horizon.
The reason that people do not fall off is because no matter where you are then gravity pulls towards the ground, thereby making it appear that you are on top of the world... even if you are not.
2007-05-08 01:33:31 · answer #2 · answered by haratu 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It has been widely accepted for millenia that the earth is spherical and round, not flat. Eratosthenes in around 200 BCE determined that the earth was spherical and measured its circumference to an accuracy of 16% - quite amazing for that time. In most of the middle-ages the earth was widely believed to be spherical, and it was considered fact in the Muslim empire's scientific community. Even in Columbus's time, the Earth was never thought to be flat - that was made up and publicized by Washington Irving.
Throughout most of history, the earth has been considered spherical and round with little opposition. Its just conspiracy theorists who argue otherwise.
2007-05-08 02:16:14 · answer #3 · answered by Bhajun Singh 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps you should check out the Flat Earth Society.
2007-05-08 01:59:11 · answer #4 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There`s no hiding anything from you , is there Milton ?
Yes , it`s perfectly flat or saucer shaped . The "Round Earth Society" would have you believe it`s shaped like a ball , or sphere , but you and I know better , don`t we ?
2007-05-08 09:50:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's flat in space-time
2007-05-08 02:21:35 · answer #6 · answered by . 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It seems pretty flat to me. There are only a few places I've been to that are at all shiny or glossy.
2007-05-08 04:55:19 · answer #7 · answered by taotemu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes earth is flat ,
2007-05-08 01:43:50 · answer #8 · answered by sam g 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the right geometic term is oblate spheroid meaning it bulges in the middle where equator is and is flat on top and bottom where the poles are .
2007-05-08 03:08:25 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah its flat
I fell off yesterday going to the mailbox.
when I came back down it was next week!!
did I miss anything?
2007-05-08 02:02:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋