I don't know and I don't particularly care, the Ancient Greek and Arab philosophers/scientists thought the Earth was spherical.
Exactly they theorised it as early as the 6th century BC and presented empirical data 300 years later..... Interestingly the belief persisted in the Americas for over a millenia after this. I guess it'll be a while before they get on board with climate change too.
The thing is though, climate change deniers are in important political offices so instead of focusing more on reducing carbon emissions, we have silly bastards like that Australian senator debating Brian Cox. As far as I'm aware, there's no debate; the consensus is that man-made climate change is real and it's having an adverse effect on our planet.
I'm no flat earther , but can somebody do the maths on how far a flag on top of a 6ft pole would have to be away from the observer for the flag to drop just below the horizon ?
Depends how good the observer's eyesight is, or how powerful the telescope is that the observer is using, as well as the height of the observer's eyes above the surface of the earth. Among other things of course.
That's one factor clarified. What would the latitude/longitude co-ordinates be of both observer and object. ? The Earth is not a perfect sphere afterall.
I think a video was posted on here not so long ago about this and the reaction of some Americans when they found out a lake is not flat. Done with a laser beam shining onto a boat close up and then a mile away and seeing the difference.
Ah, Chicago. Is that the observer's position ? Which direction is the flagpole he's looking at ? Better pick one that might not end up in the ocean as I may need to ask you what the speed & direction of the current is if the flagpole is on a boat !
I'm kinda thinking as long as the observer is looking across the lake , I'm not too bothered if they are looking towards Chicago or away
So observer with Chicago behind him looking across the lake to Grand Mere State Park. Should he be able to see a flag on a 6ft flag pole or should it be out of sight below the horizon ?
Hang on - Hull FC just scored a 3rd try - gotta watch the replay... update H.T. Hull FC 22 Catalans 0
Watching it myself...if the world is not a sphere but egg shaped , that might be bad news for the City die hards !