Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Is the Earth flat?
Position‹2 of 2

No, the Earth is not flat

This position holds that the Earth is not flat but round, as the evidence shows. It points to the classic proofs: the round shadow the Earth casts in lunar eclipses, ships vanishing hull-first over the horizon, and different constellations being visible from different latitudes.

Supporting arguments · 3

  1. Ships appear to sink as they move closer to the horizon and emerge as they move closer to the observer
    As a ship travels toward the horizon, the ship appears to sinking until it disappears altogether. The curvature of a spherical Earth explains why the ship disappears.
  2. Different constellations are seen from different places on Earth
    Certain constellations can only be seen in the Northern Hemisphere but disappear in the Southern Hemisphere. The vice-versa is true as well. The Earth is a globe because constellations appear to shift and disappear due to the spherical curvature of the Earth.
  3. The Earth has a round shadow and experiences lunar and solar eclipses
    Lunar eclipses show the shadow of the Earth on the Moon, proving that it is spherical. Neither solar nor lunar eclipses would be possible if the Earth wasn't spherical.