1. UNIT 1 PART 2
Mapping the Earth

2. PROOFS OF THE EARTH’S SHAPE
-The way a ship disappears over the horizon
ex: the mast is the last part you see

3. The shape of the Earth’s shadow on the moon during an eclipse

4. -All the other planets are spherical.

5. -The gravitational attraction is
basically the same all over the Earth.

6. -The altitude of Polaris is equal
to your latitude in the Northern Hemisphere.

7. -Photographs of Earth from space
-this is the best proof

8. -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

10. Remember: If you draw the Earth to scale it will look like a perfect circle!!!