The scientific consensus overwhelmingly supports the idea that the Earth is a spheroid, not flat. The belief that the Earth is flat is not supported by scientific evidence and is considered a fringe or pseudoscientific idea. Here are a few key points that scientists use to support the round Earth model:
Photos from space: There are numerous photographs of the Earth taken from space, including those from satellites, spacecraft, and astronauts aboard the International Space Station. These images clearly show a spherical Earth, and they have been independently verified by multiple space agencies and organizations worldwide.
Earth's curvature: Various observations and experiments demonstrate the curvature of the Earth's surface. For example, the way ships disappear over the horizon hull-first, the changing altitude of the horizon with increasing elevation, and the curved shadow cast by the Earth during lunar eclipses all provide evidence of a curved Earth.
Gravity: Gravity behaves consistently with a spherical Earth. Gravity pulls objects toward the center of mass, resulting in a spherical shape for celestial bodies that have sufficient mass.
Satellite navigation: Global navigation systems, such as GPS (Global Positioning System), rely on the assumption that the Earth is a sphere. The accuracy and reliability of these systems are based on calculations that consider Earth's curvature.
Circumnavigation and flight routes: The ability to circumnavigate the Earth by traveling in a straight line in one direction and returning to the starting point is consistent with a round Earth. Additionally, long-distance flight routes are planned based on the Earth's curvature to achieve the most efficient paths.
It's important to note that the belief in a flat Earth is not supported by scientific institutions, experts, or empirical evidence. The overwhelming consensus among scientists and the scientific community is that the Earth is a spheroid.