http://news.yahoo.com/photo/070819/480/717918dd34294f7c909dc2235a1bac4d&g=events/sc/091905hurricanes;_ylt=AgRcCKQuemlYjovouw2oOQm9IxIF
why do pictures of the Earth look like that from space, somewhat upside down, it looks as though it could fall off. But when you are standing on Earth; land looks linear and flat with no curving.
2007-08-19 09:34:15 · 8 answers · asked by thekingisback 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
if it WAS flat, and we stood in california, we could see all the way to new york with binoculars.
but since its not, things tend to ""fall" or curve out of view.
and being in space gives you a different angle for viewing the earth. and allows you to see it curves better
2007-08-19 10:12:07 · answer #1 · answered by Mercury 2010 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Gravity of course is the reason things don't fall off and yes it looks flat because we are so small in comparison. However I wonder if there is also another reason for the particular appearance of this image. I'm not convinced that this is a true "curvature of the Earth" shot. Hurricane Dean is quite large, but still on the order of 100 km across (haven't checked the correct number.) I'm not sure that you'd see as much curvature in a true shot that showed a section of Earth that size. Rather, I suspect that the curving border is actually the window frame of the observation port in the Destiny laboratory. As far as I recall that window basically points straight down (nadir) so you'd have to get over at an angle to actually take a shot that really showed the curvature of the Earth.
2007-08-20 00:20:37 · answer #2 · answered by Peter T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Crikey, don't you realise that in zero gravity there is no up and down?
The crew in the ISS have no up and down, only in relation to their instruments. The person who took that picture could just as easy turned up side down to take the picture and the Earth would have come out on the bottom of the photo.
The earth looks flat from the surface because it is so big.
To a germ on a basket ball, it would think it was on a flat surface.
Having said that, the horizon on Earth is amazingly close. From the ocean front at the beach it is only a few miles away.
2007-08-19 17:02:39 · answer #3 · answered by nick s 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Because that picture WAS taken upside down. Rotate the picture 180 degrees and it will look normal.
Earth's curvature can be seen at sea level if one has an unobstructed panoramic view of the horizon. It may also be seen if one reaches higher elevations but having an unobstructed view of the horizon is the key.
2007-08-19 17:01:59 · answer #4 · answered by Troasa 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, that's an awesome picture. But try to imagine how much more "normal" it would look if the camera that took the picture from aboard the space shuttle was turned 180-degrees.
2007-08-19 17:27:25 · answer #5 · answered by Chug-a-Lug 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because from the vantage point of your eyes, being VERY close to the Earth, you can see only a tiny part of it, as opposed to being further away (like in space).
2007-08-19 16:49:50 · answer #6 · answered by cyswxman 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That is an amazing picture, but all planets look round from space. Be thankful for gravity.
2007-08-19 16:42:17 · answer #7 · answered by happybidz2003 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No comment. I'm not interested in home mortgages.
But thanks for the 2 points.
2007-08-19 17:13:10 · answer #8 · answered by Pete K 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋