In the time in which we live, it is getting ever harder to determine whether something is indeed fact. There is so much deception that is indeed going on that it makes it difficult for some to wade through information and make a decision for oneself about the verity of a matter. The internet is a useful tool, as information is indeed at one’s fingertips, but the problem is also exacerbated by the worldwide web, as nefarious people supply the innocent with deceptive information and make all information suspect.
I try to stay out of online arguments. I learned very early on when social media finally wormed its way into my life that people are not out to learn, but to proliferate what they know, whether they have actual knowledge or not.
One subject that is probably among the most often debated these days is the shape of the earth. I really don’t care what people think about the actual shape of the earth, as it is not a salvation issue. However, to dispel years and years of science just because some science is indeed not science [evolution, vax, etc], is irresponsible and illogical.
There are probably those that, no matter what information I offer, will never change their mind. That is o.k. But, there are a couple of points that have been made as to why some say that the earth is flat, after having been proven scientifically for centuries, even millennia, that we live on a globe. Those are the issues I want to address. I ask only that the reader note that this is independent study, and not drawn from any ‘pro-globe’ propaganda.
Of late, people are saying that the idea of a globe came about with the advent of evolution.
That is simply not true. The ancient peoples were not dumb, as many suppose. They were, in fact, brilliant people who gave us the basis of all math. I am not a mathematician, and it was not my favorite subject, but, having been in the AE field in the U.S. Navy, I was forced to learn higher math in order to be able to do triganometric calculations for fire control of torpedoes, and other disciplines in order to do logic in computers. I also had to learn statistics in order to do a particular plot during battle stations, and I became the best in the Pacific Submarine fleet, according to my Captain. In doing that job, I learned that numbers do not lie!
Our whole infrastructure has been built on the mathematics and natural philosophies of the ancients. We would not have many, if not most, of the scientific advancements that we have, if our math were ‘off’. Ancient societies and wonders of the world would not exist. Roads and bridges, religious sites, religious buildings, etc, would be absent from us if the math did not work. Many ancient societies, through scientific observations and math decided millennia ago that we live on a sphere. Yes, the dark ages came along, and Europeans deviated from that knowledge, as they rejected it for myths and traditions, but that did not change the history, that already existed. The globe is not a product of evolutionary thought: quite the opposite.
1. Ancient Celts and Greeks:
Ancient civilizations like the Celts and Greeks observed celestial phenomena and decided well before the modern age that the Earth was round. The Greek philosopher Pythagoras (6th century BCE), and later Aristotle, (4th century BCE) provided some of the earliest recorded arguments for a spherical Earth based on observations of the stars and the Earth’s shadow during lunar eclipses.
- Observation of the Stars: Aristotle observed that different constellations were visible at different latitudes on Earth. For instance, stars and constellations visible in Greece were not visible in Egypt and vice versa. This indicated to Aristotle that Earth’s surface is curved rather than flat.
- Shape of the Earth’s Shadow during Lunar Eclipses: Aristotle noted that during a lunar eclipse, when Earth comes between the Sun and the Moon, the shadow that Earth casts on the Moon is always round. The shape of this shadow could only be explained if Earth were spherical.
There’s a famous story associated with the Greek philosopher Eratosthenes (276-194 BCE), who used a well in Aswan, Egypt to measure the angle of the Sun’s rays at noon on the summer solstice. He observed that the Sun cast no shadow on the bottom of a deep well in Aswan [Ancient Syene] at noon on that day, indicating that the Sun was directly overhead. At the same time, in Alexandria, Egypt, which is north of Syene, Eratosthenes observed that the Sun cast a shadow. By measuring the angle of this shadow and knowing the distance between Syene and Alexandria, Eratosthenes calculated the circumference of the Earth with remarkable accuracy, thereby providing indirect evidence for a spherical Earth.
The ancient Celts did not leave behind written records or systematic treatises on the shape of the Earth like the Greeks did. However, there are some indirect references and cultural practices that suggest their understanding of celestial phenomena, which could imply a recognition of the Earth’s spherical shape.
One aspect that is sometimes referenced is the Celtic reverence for nature and celestial bodies. They had a deep connection to the cycles of the sun, moon, and stars, which played significant roles in their religious and cultural practices. For instance:
- Solar Alignments: The Celts, like many ancient cultures, built monuments and structures that aligned with the movements of the sun. These alignments, such as those seen in Stonehenge and other megalithic structures, suggest an awareness of celestial mechanics and the apparent movement of the sun across the sky, which would be consistent with an understanding of the Earth’s spherical shape.
- Mythology and Cosmology: Celtic mythology often included references to the sun’s journey across the sky and its seasonal variations. This could imply a conceptualization of the Earth as a spherical object orbiting the sun, although these myths are more metaphorical than scientific.
- Druidic Knowledge: Druids, the Celtic priestly class, were known for their deep knowledge of natural phenomena and astronomy. They observed celestial events and likely made calculations based on these observations, although specific records detailing their understanding of Earth’s shape are not preserved.
While there isn’t direct textual evidence or explicit references to the shape of the Earth in Celtic sources, their reverence for celestial bodies and their understanding of seasonal changes suggest a level of astronomical knowledge that could support an implicit recognition of Earth’s spherical shape. This aligns with broader cultural and intellectual trends observed in other ancient civilizations around the world.
In “The Discovery of Middle Earth”, Graham Robb implies that the ancient Celts of Europe did know about the curvature of the earth, demonstrated in the fact that they had a very advanced system of surveying and mapping their territories. They used landmarks, natural features, and celestial alignments to navigate over long distances, which implies a practical understanding of the Earth’s geography and the movement of celestial bodies. Certain measurements they took seem to indicate a knowledge of the curvature of the earth.
2. Explorers and Navigators:
During the Age of Exploration (15th-17th centuries), explorers like Ferdinand Magellan circumnavigated the globe, providing practical proof that the Earth is not flat. Magellan’s expedition demonstrated that one could sail continuously in one direction and eventually return to the starting point, which is only possible on a spherical surface.
3. Kepler
The discovery of the elliptical orbit of the Earth around the Sun is credited to the German astronomer Johannes Kepler(1571-1630). Kepler formulated his laws of planetary motion in the early 17th century based on meticulous observations made by Tycho Brahe. Kepler’s first law states that planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus of the ellipse, which replaced the previously held notion of circular orbits.
Kepler’s laws were groundbreaking in the development of modern astronomy and physics, laying the foundation for understanding celestial mechanics and ultimately influencing the work of scientists such as Isaac Newton.
4. Isaac Newton and Gravitational Theory:
Isaac Newton’s theory of universal gravitation (late 17th century) provided further evidence for a spherical Earth. Newton showed that a large mass, such as Earth, would naturally form into a sphere due to gravitational forces pulling matter toward the center. This understanding aligns with the spherical shape observed in celestial bodies.
5. Modern Space Exploration:
In the 20th and 21st centuries, space exploration has provided irrefutable visual evidence of Earth’s shape. Satellites, space missions, and images from space clearly show Earth as a spherical object. Astronauts orbiting the Earth have also directly observed its curvature.
While I do not know any astronauts myself, some of my best friends and family live/lived near NASA, and fellowshipped with Astronauts, several of whom are believers. They have been to space. They are not part of a wider, worldwide illuminati deception, but testify frankly that the earth, as seen from space, is a sphere.
6. Geodetic Surveys and Measurements:
Geodetic surveys and measurements confirm the curvature of the Earth’s surface. The science of geodesy precisely measures Earth’s shape and size, accounting for variations due to factors like gravity and topography. These measurements consistently support the spherical model.
7. Natural Phenomena and Observations:
Natural phenomena such as the way ships disappear hull-first over the horizon, the shape of the Earth’s shadow on the Moon during eclipses, and the way constellations change with latitude all provide empirical evidence of Earth’s curvature and spherical shape.
Why are we not able to ‘see’ the curvature?
The inability to perceive the curvature of the Earth, even from an airplane, is primarily due to the vast scale of the Earth relative to the altitude at which commercial airplanes typically fly, as well as the limitations of human vision.
- Scale of the Earth: The Earth is incredibly large compared to the height at which airplanes fly. Commercial airplanes typically cruise at altitudes ranging from 30,000 to 40,000 feet (9,000 to 12,000 meters). At these altitudes, the curvature of the Earth is relatively subtle. The radius of the Earth is approximately 6,371 kilometers (3,959 miles), which means the curvature is gradual. The horizon appears flat because the curvature is only noticeable over much larger distances than those visible from an airplane window. One would have to be very near ‘outer space’.
- Field of View: Human eyes have a limited field of view and can only perceive a small portion of the Earth’s surface at any given time. Even from the cruising altitude of an airplane, the horizon may appear flat due to the limited perspective provided by the window and the relatively small angle of view.
- Atmospheric Effects: Atmospheric conditions such as haze, cloud cover, and the Earth’s atmosphere itself can obscure the visibility of the curvature. These factors can reduce the contrast between the sky and the Earth’s surface, making it difficult to discern the curvature visually.
- Visual Acuity: Detecting the curvature of the Earth requires precise observation under optimal conditions. Human eyes are not sensitive enough to easily discern the slight curvature from a typical airplane window, especially when the horizon line appears distant and relatively flat due to the Earth’s large size.
To actually see the curvature of the Earth, one would need to be at a much higher altitude, such as in the upper reaches of the stratosphere or beyond, where the curvature becomes more apparent due to the larger field of view and the contrasting blackness of space against the Earth’s surface. This perspective is typically achieved by astronauts in orbit around the Earth or on missions beyond Earth’s orbit.
Conclusion:
The evidence supporting a globe-shaped Earth spans millennia and comes from a variety of disciplines—ancient philosophy, exploration, physics, astronomy, and modern space science. The cumulative weight of observations, theories, and practical demonstrations overwhelmingly supports the conclusion that the Earth is spherical. This understanding not only aligns with scientific consensus but also with the accumulated knowledge and experience of human civilizations throughout history. This is not a late conspiracy by the elite in order to deceive the ignorant masses.