Hi
,
Since there are apparently a growing number of people who believe the earth is flat, here are several facts and/or experiments that will help to refute the idea:
1. The moon - During a lunar eclipse (when the earth's shadow is cast on the moon), the curve of the earth is clearly visible. Furthermore, on any night when the moon is not full, the portion of it that is lit directly by the sun's rays produces a clear arc next to the shadow, indicating that the moon is a sphere. And if it is, then it's reasonable to conclude that the earth is, too.
2. The view from a jet plane - The last time I flew to South Africa, I was watching the flight data on the screen mounted to the seat in front of me. I noticed that we were flying higher than I'd ever benn - 45,000ft.!! I looked out of the window, and I could literally see the curve of the earth. It wasn't much, but it was there!
3. Ships sailing away from you - Take a pair of binoculars to the beach. Using the binoculars, watch a ship that is sailing away from you. If the earth is flat, it will keep getting smaller and smaller until you can't see it any more. But, that's not what happens! Long before the ship gets too small to see, it will
sail over the horizon. The last portion you will see is the highest mast of the ship!
4. The higher you are, the further you can see - This is similar to #3. You can only see as far as the horizon will let you. If the earth is flat, height makes no difference. So, start by watching the ship from the beach. Once
it goes over the horizon, run into a high building and take the express elevator to the top. Now look at the horizon with the binoculars. You can see the ship again! But keep watching it. It will again disappear, just like in #3.
