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The Planet Earth. What is the Shape of the Earth?. Tagbanwas of Palawan. Believed that land is mostly mountains surrounded by water, and underneath is an exact but inverted image of land and water and all that are in them. Shape of the Earth. About 100 BC to 1500 AD
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Tagbanwas of Palawan Believed that land is mostly mountains surrounded by water, and underneath is an exact but inverted image of land and water and all that are in them.
Shape of the Earth • About 100 BC to 1500 AD Mayans and Aztecs of South Americas -believed the earth had a general shape of a flat cross • About 1400 BC Hindu Writing -described the earth as a round disk • 200 BC Aristarchus -Reasoned that the earth is round
How does the Earth appear to an observer in an open field where no trees or buildings block his view?
Horizon • The line where the sky and the ground seem to meet • The greatest distance an observer sees on the Earth’s surface. A 1.6 m tall person can see up to 4.5 km away At 2500 m high one can see up to 178 km away
Activity # 1 List at least seven differences in your notebook. What are the possible explanations for the change in scenery?
Altitude of Polaris Altitude of Polaris = Latitude
All other stars will move in a counterclockwise direction but Polaris will stay as it is
True Shape of the Earth Oblate spheroid Poles squished and equator bulges • Earth rotates on its axis • centripetal force pushes squishes the poles and pushes out in the equator
Apparent Shape • Earth appears to be a PERFECT Sphere
Gravity Measurement • Weigh more at South Pole – closer • Weight less at Equator – farther
Current Findings • The Earth is like a lumpy POTATO