1. Shape of the Earth

2. The actual shape of the Earth is an Oblate Spheroid

3. the earth is slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator

4. Therefore the equatorial diameter is larger

6. The Earth is very slightly oblate about a 43km difference between the polar and equatorial diameters

7. The Earth appears to look like a sphere from space

8. The gravitational pull is greater at the Poles than the Equator
The gravitational pull is greater at the Poles than the Equator. This is because at the Poles you are closer to the center of the earth.

9. Evidences of Earth’s Shape

10. Eclipses – Shadow of the earth is cast upon the moon in a lunar eclipse

11. Sunset – light lingers at the top of trees, then the top of hilltops, then finally the clouds

12. Large Objects on the Horizon – Objects disappear bottom up and Objects appear top down

13. Photographs from Space – Best evidence of shape

14. Polaris (North Star) - Altitude of Polaris should change exactly in step with distance north from equator but doesn’t

15. Dimensions for the Earth LOOK IN YOUR ESRT

16. Equatorial Radius 6378km 3963mi Polar Radius 6356.5 km 3950mi

17. Equitorial Diameter 12,756km 7926mi Polar Diameter 12,713km 7899mi