UNIT 1 PART 2 Mapping the Earth
PROOFS OF THE EARTH’S SHAPE -The way a ship disappears over the horizon ex: the mast is the last part you see
The shape of the Earth’s shadow on the moon during an eclipse
-All the other planets are spherical.
-The gravitational attraction is basically the same all over the Earth.
-The altitude of Polaris is equal to your latitude in the Northern Hemisphere.
-Photographs of Earth from space -this is the best proof
-The Earth’s shape is an OBLATE SPHEROID -The Earth’s shape is an OBLATE SPHEROID. This means it is slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator. -This is why the pull of gravity is slightly greater at the poles and less at the equator. Note: -gravity is measured from the center of the object -at the poles where it is flattened you are closer to the center of the Earth
Remember: If you draw the Earth to scale it will look like a perfect circle!!!