Science Rules!

May 15, 2016 8:21 PM

DolorasClitoris

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147857

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10563

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213

A dude more than 2,000 years ago figured out what some still can’t understand despite the benefits of free public school, generations of documentation and the internet at there fucking fingertips. Science rules.

What was NEVER EXPLAINED in that episode was HOW did they communicate so they knew the lengths of the shadows on the same day, the same time

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

The pillar directly under the sun has no shadow at noon, the one to the north does. Travel time won't change the angles. Then math!...

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

*Their fingertips... English also rules.

10 years ago | Likes 247 Dislikes 9

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

In the game of homonyms: their our know rules.

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 2

*ruled

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 4

This is just to enhance the round earth masculine bipolar non unconformed normal birthing beliefs of catholicism

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

v

10 years ago | Likes 119 Dislikes 6

I don't know why, but the font is very satisfying to look at.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Excellent gif

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 2

WOAH MOBILE SHOWS YOU THE GIFS IN COMMENTS INSTEAD OF HAVING TO TAP THE LINK, WHHAAAAAATTTTTTT

10 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 1

I still have to tap the links, I dunno what people are talking about

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Hail science!

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

But what if shadows do whatever the fuck they want? Before you say anything, remember, there's a shadow right behind you.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

This. ^

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Do people still believe that stuff? wow

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Earth may be flat and we're all curved!

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Burn the witch!

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

ATTENTION IMGUR. THIS IS WHAT A SCIENTIST ACTUALLY FUCKING LOOKS LIKE. STOP ABUSING OUR WORD.

10 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

The potato speaks the truth

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Biologist here. My eyebrows are not nearly that bushy.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You obviously aren't sciencing hard enough. Up your game.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Did you seriously say 2000 years ago?

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

This goes way beyond a Strawman. This is like...shadowboxing.

10 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 2

10 years ago | Likes 33 Dislikes 0

Were*

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Saddly, those 3 images dont phase a flat earther even in the slightest.

10 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 1

Lol you're right, they'll just say the pictures are edited. That or that there's some sort of device at the peak of the mountains.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I'll just grab my cellular phone and call up my friend down in Syene and ask how long the shadow is at this moment.

10 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 1

For Alexandria.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

They could measure the shadow at the sun's highest point, document it, then compare later with the shadow at the same time (also documented)

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Yes but he could be in on the conspiracy!

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Their.

10 years ago | Likes 19 Dislikes 2

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

i hate grammer missteaks, to

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Grammer is Nazi important so long as people know what you're communicating right? fuk gammhar

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

.. I don't think there's a such thing as a flat-earther. There are, however, people who believe in flat-earthers, which is funny.

10 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 4

We're definitely watching some strange one-sided argument with a bunch of people trying to express a point that no one is arguing against.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

Avoid Googling it if you want it to remain humorous and not incomprehensibly infuriating.

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

tia tequila and a few other celebs are self proclaimed flat earthers. its terrifying.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

but Flat Earth Society has members all around the globe... Oh, wait

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

No one believes the earth is flat, right? This is a great obj lesson for grade schoolers, but let's preach to those that are worth it.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Greek sailors were using this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism in antiquity. There was an app for that even then.

10 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

The Antikythera Mechanism is the most interesting archaeological find ever. Its the equivalent of finding a Rolex on the wrist of a caveman.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Has this been determined? It's not like there were piles of them.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eUibF">JqI">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eUibFQKJqI yes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbjfcikvhFY

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I'm not sure if sailors were using this. Maybe simpler versions.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

flat-earthers are almost as bad as anti-vaxers, but flat-earthers aren't hurting anybody. well, not yet.

10 years ago | Likes 18 Dislikes 2

I'm not anti-vaccination myself, but I do see some merit to not doing it in the form of applied eugenics.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I mean it's not like first world nations are teeming with opportunities to weed out the unfit from the breeding pool these decades. :-/

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Flat Earthers really aren't causing problems, they are just stupid. Global warming deniers are the real problem.

10 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

People that use the term "Global Warming" rather than "Global Climate Change" are not helping...just saying.

10 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 2

Look man you're the fourth person who told accused me of being wrong by saying "global warming" and so far when questioned not one of you

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

has bothered to respond. If you're going to make a post telling me and everyone else that I'm wrong, either back it up with facts or admit

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

that you were wrong. It sucks losing internet points to other people's ignorance so it's just an extra kick in the face to ignore me after.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Why?

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Basically, its easier for "deniers" and "skeptics" to manipulate the idea of "Global Warming" in the public's mind by pointing to

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Is VAX still around? I thought UNIX replaced it

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

So you're an anti VAX-user?

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

VMS forever! http://imgur.com/DYAtnn6

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

The history of scientific discovery is easily as interesting as scientific knowledge itself. Ridiculous how some things were found out.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

This assumes your light source is sufficiently far enough away that the difference in angle from the light source to the two sources is(1/?)

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

They tried to fire an arrow at it, but didn't get close, so they assumed the Sun was a long way away.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

(sorry..two objects) small enough to be negligible. Flat earthers explain things like this away by saying that the sun is much smaller (2/?)

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

and closer than we know it to be. Example: on a flat table with a table lamp place two of the same objects, one close to the base of (3/?)

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

the lamp and another about 12 inches out from it. The one close to the base has a shorter shadow. Based on what he just said, the table(4/?)

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

would have to be curved. I don't believe the earth is flat but this explanation requires the base assumption about the sun being far away.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Please don't send me to downvote hell!

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

You could also just do the boat on the horizon trick.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Yes but this method with the obelisks was able to help measure the circumference of the earth very accurately

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

And his only instruments were some obelisks and a shitload of walking.

10 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 0

or a research confederate. "Hey, Ramskanhk, measure that obelisk's shadow at, like, noon, ok?"

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

"and then text me the results so we can actually avoid aforementioned shitload of walking"

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

"lol just skype me bro."

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Okay I don't think I've ever met or heard of a person that still thinks the earth is flat. So idk if this post is like serious

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 2

I mean nobody has thought the earth was flat since like 2500 years ago

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

look on youtube.. It's actually getting pretty big sadly.. I've even met someone that believes so

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

If you are educated, then most of the people you know are probably educated to so you wouldn't be finding one anytime soon

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

i thought it was a metaphor for climate change deniers. they deny the science on an equal scale.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

A rapper by the name of B.o.B was indoctrinated by the Flat Earth society (still alive and kicking a century on!) and many people follow him

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

He got into an argument with Neil Tyson on Twitter after sampling Neil talking about a 'pear shaped Earth,' a BoB diss song followed...

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

(The diss song was written by one of Tyson's nephews or something. Back to flat. It was pretty good.)

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

How many people honestly think the earth is flat. I know flat earthers is a gag but I don't think that it is more than .01%

10 years ago | Likes 42 Dislikes 3

The last time I knew the whole Flat Earth thing was a Chan gang, designed to mock Facebook news feeds.

10 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Flat Earth Society greatly predates those guys, but I'll stipulate that the *chan trolls may outnumber the real flat earthers by now.

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Man 0.01% is pretty substantial in terms of global populations, it would be a lot smaller

10 years ago | Likes 24 Dislikes 0

All my experience on this earth leads me to believe that 700,000 people being that stupid is a vast underestimate.

10 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

I have a FB friend that believes it. She also believes Jesus (and all Israeleites) was black.

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Always keep an eye out for Poe's law some of them could just be doing it just to see everyone else flip out over it.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I've met one recently. He also believed all disease, bacteria, or viruses was caused by the cutting open of animals.

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I've never seen someone believe it and an Imgurian who claimed they could argue for it decided not to for no apparent reason, so just a meme

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Youtube. That's where they are. Lots of videos, and just you try to correct any of their misunderstandings...

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Almost no one. There are always a handful of crazies. Making an issue of it and assuming the moral indignation is patronizing.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

More than a handful sadly.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Thats about 712,000 people, roughly the population of San Fracisco

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I feel this way about creationists. I think the number of people who truly believe the bible should be taken literally is extremely small.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Retards like him maybe ?? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypRcl4x80U4

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

If they want to argue earth is flat, than I demand they explain every other phenomenon that depends on Earth being sphere.

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Oh man. The Flat Earth Society people insist that gravity isn't even real. Pretty funny stuff on their site/subreddit.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

like they wanna explain why shadows like ^ are different, about earthquakes, volcanoes?

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Don't Google it if you want your faith in humanity to stay where it is.

10 years ago | Likes 21 Dislikes 0

My wife showed me this and I literally can't believe there's a "movement" of people defending the concept.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

One guy tried to defend the flat earth idea & thought he was boosting his personal cred saying, "and I almost have my bachelors in physics"

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

I don't know, some religious people have to insist that the earth is only, what, 6 thousand years old. Nothing is too crazy for some people.

10 years ago | Likes 15 Dislikes 6

To be fair, it's fairly easy to view the round earth from space. We don't have a time machine to go back 20,000 years.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I have a Christadelphian friend who is adamant about the 7000 year old earth thing. Drives me crazy!

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Speaking on behalf of European Christians here: those guys are very few, and mostly southern-state evangelicals for that matter.

10 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 1

as a dutch person from the bible belt: their numbers are declining. but there are still FAR too many

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

No argument here.

10 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

I'm from Iowa, raised non-denominational, and was always taught the universe is ~7000 years old. My dad's preacher still says it. [1/2]

10 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 1

Meanwhile, I'm studying aerospace engineering with the intent of interplanetary exploration. Talk about out of sync. [2/2]

10 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 1

My man :D

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Also, I bet that 99.99999% of the flat earthers know the Earth isn't really flat, and just pretend they do, because they want to stand.

10 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 1

After talking with at-least 100 of them...i strongly disagree. They really do think the earth is flat.

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

My theory is still that they are faking it. As a hobby or something. Anything else is too disturbing and sad.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

i actually know people in real life that think the earth is flat

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I just find it hard to accept that people can be that stupid and ignorant.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I'm sorry to tell you this - but you're being a flat earther about flat earthers...

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

I just really really hope noone could be that dense.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

Carl sagan.

10 years ago | Likes 211 Dislikes 1

Hail to the Carl

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I still read it in his sexy voice

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Read cosmos for the first time not long ago. Most inspiring thing I've ever read.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Honestly, Neil Tyson doesn't even hold a candle to him. He's all we have to fill that void, but the void still remains.

10 years ago | Likes 35 Dislikes 3

I disagree. Neil has more character and charisma. Sagan was brilliant and poetic but not as stimulating as Neil.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I did fall asleep once or twice while Sagan was talking. But Neil comes across as obnoxious, and I don't see anything original from him.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Well, there is Nye.

10 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 5

You don't need to be seen everywhere to make enormous contributions to scientific understanding. Go look at winners of the nobel prize.

10 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 1

Why? Give reasons give factual reasons why. Other then it's hip to like Sagan. Why? What are your reasons.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

I think he likes being divisive. First episode of Cosmos (old and new). Sagan talked about the wonders and size of the universe (1/2)

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Tyson stopped in the middle of "the universe is massive" and spent five minutes ridiculing certain religious beliefs.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I don't remember that at all. I like Sagan but i also like Tyson and listen to his podcast which he has multiple priests on to discuss 1/2

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Yeah but come on, he's CARL SAGAN. If you had a person for every grain of sand on every beach you wouldn't find another Sagan among them.

10 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Though there is the Drake Equation which calculates the probability of finding a season of a Sagan's "Cosmos" transmitting in the universe.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Wow that is fantastix

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Fantastic, I can't freaking type right now

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Neil was inspired by Sagan,,as a child he met him,,went on to be the man he is today,,But Sagan inspired many ppl,,SAGAN IS GOD..

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Sagan actually hooked him up when they met and blessed Neil - so it was written (by Sagan on the inside cover of a book).

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

"Carl SATAN!" - My family

10 years ago | Likes 12 Dislikes 0

I know, right? Flares? Ugh!

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Is that a Captain Disillusion reference?

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I was watching cosmos and my parents started watching and got very uncomfortable by all the science.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Don't take this the wrong way. But fuck your family good sir or madam. Sagan is my hero and whenever I hear that shit. Blood boils.

10 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Hate the sin, not the sinner. There is one evil, and that is ignorance; those affected are merely victims.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Please don't fuck your family good.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Ah, and this is why punctuation is so important. I forgot the comma after family.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Flat earthers just want to be edgy

10 years ago | Likes 1948 Dislikes 7

Na its an internet group troll. Like Planet X Nibiru and the qhole ELENIN stuff.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 2

So God damn good. +1

10 years ago | Likes 29 Dislikes 0

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

I'm pretty sure they're just doing it for attention.

10 years ago | Likes 11 Dislikes 1

If only. They exist, I promise.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

They seriously need to expand their horizons

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

,+1

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

they use the same example to "prove" the elevation of the sun...there are a million problems with that...but still, they try.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Well, there's a tshirt idea

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Bunch of squares I tell yeah.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

they are the hipsters of the conspirascene.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I guess...

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

I wish they'd just fall off the edge of the earth

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

It is basically how to troll but acting like your serious and NEVER breaking character.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Nobody had heard from B.O.B. since 2010. He's like the drunk college girl losing her top in a bar because she can't get attention elsewhere.

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

He killed it on First We Feast - Hot Ones. I at least respect that.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Oh and I respect him for Magic, which is just a kick-ass tune. But... Well he kinda turned out for the worse after that.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Came back to upvote this.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 1

Balls sacks! Oh sorry I thought you said they were ball sacks... Which they are, making the stupid, stupider

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 4

These clowns think the sun behaves like a spotlight or somesuch bullshit.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I'm so not disappointed right now

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Flath earthers are all around the globe

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Im a vegan crossfiter that vapes in my lowered civic as i drive around this flat earth. And i rock the shit out of a fedora

10 years ago | Likes 50 Dislikes 8

Drive *aflat

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Dear god...

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

Sorry but I have a boyfriend

10 years ago | Likes 22 Dislikes 0

Reference game on point.

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 1

I'm a vegan

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

v

10 years ago | Likes 14 Dislikes 0

Lmao, I'd drive into a really deep lake if that was forced upon me

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

v

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

They just want to be special snowflakes, privy to aaaallll this wisdom us commoners just aren't able to understand.

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

You know, as someone who's been curious in what all the flat-earth hubbub is about (no, i do not believe them), the above experiment does

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

not "prove" the earth is round (while it does provide strong evidence.) The same phenomenon is observed by using a smaller light source

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

which is much closer to the object. The source would be more above one obelisk and to the side of the other, casting the same shadow pattern

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

In modern times, the best way to disprove flat earth theorists is to get a telescope and look at the I.S.S.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

You don't even need a telescope, to be honest. Though I guess they'd think it was a plane or something. However those work on a flat earth.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

I just figure they're trolls. I'm gonna need to see proof of otherwise to get my mind changed.

10 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

I feel the same way. How is it possible, they can think that? They don't, they can't.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I assure you they're not.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I have a cousin who seriously believes it and his reason "well why don't airplanes just drive straight into space" -___-

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

What.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

That's the most redneck thing I've heard all day...

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

https://www.tfes.org I suppose it could all be a joke but a whole website seems a bit elaborate for just a joke.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

That is some powerful stupid goingnon over there

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Yeah. Seems like a conspiracy theory type thing.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

How did he know how long the shadows where at the same time? Didn't they measure time based on the height of the sun back then?.

10 years ago | Likes 318 Dislikes 14

They measured the distance between the two points, and measured the shortest shadow (noon)

10 years ago | Likes 9 Dislikes 0

Yep, exactly. Measure the min length of the shadows and you'll have the lengths for midday for both places. Different lengths = round earth

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

I assume he measured the length of one shadow at set times for a few days, then did the same for the other and compared. Scientific method

10 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 1

Midday is when shadows are shortest, i.e. highest in sky, which allows measurement to be synchronised.

10 years ago | Likes 26 Dislikes 0

Highest point of the sun over three days anywhere you can see it is easy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_navigation

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Eratosthenes read a report that during midday of June 21st a post in Syene would not produce a shadow. He measured in Alexandria day/time.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Hourglasses, perhaps?

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

I love questions like this! People really think about these things!

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

He 'hired' a slave to measure the distance and keep track in one town.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

iPhones. Duh.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Hourglasses?

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

He had lived in both towns. He also sent a slave to count the steps between each one.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Step 1: Place sun dial at both locations; Step 2: Record length at same time on dial at both places; Step 3: Compare

10 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 1

iirc, he measured the shadow of Alexandria at noon on midsummer one year, and measured the shadow of Syene the next.

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

That's what I remember too. He waited a year to get the second measurement. But I thought it was the summer solstice.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Actually now I think of it what I said makes no sense without a way of confirming the time at the other place

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 3

He had a second person at the other place measure it at the same time.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 2

Seriously? You can't figure out how that was done? About those free public schools...

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 7

He had an intern pace out the distance and measure the minimum shadow length (occurs at midday)

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You have 2 people in 2 places set to record on the same day. You take the shadow every few minutes from sun up to sun down and compare both

10 years ago | Likes 52 Dislikes 3

[deleted]

[deleted]

10 years ago (deleted May 16, 2016 3:22 AM) | Likes 0 Dislikes 0

Which serves as evidence that the world is round. Also, you can compare peak heights at both locations

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

then you still need a way to measure those minutes though.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

they had water clocks at the time as well as candle or sand clocks

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

right. so i guess you could have had two of those clocks start at the same time and then transport one of them to the other city :D

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You don't need to measure the time. You just do the measurement every few moments and then pick the shortest length as your answer.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

You don't need to know when exactly it was, just what it was. The interval doesn't matter as long as it's often enough that you can spot it.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Mmmm. Love it.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Makes sense. Just because he's credited with doing it, doesn't mean he didn't have a few interns to help out.

10 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

I believe interns were just called slaves back then.

10 years ago | Likes 7 Dislikes 0

Yeah.. they weren't as politically correct back then.

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

They are not called slaves today?

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

The title you're looking for is apprentice..

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

That was my first thought too. I also wonder how they could know the exact distance between the two places.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Typically they used walkers with practiced steady step lengths who counted how many steps it took to walk the distance.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

nobody said the answer back then was as accurate as is it today, just that it was the only explanation for what was seen

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 0

Probably had their ways of measuring just like we do like a measuring wheel

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Sure, but you can't travel that far in a straight line.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Never said it was perfect, just suggesting one means by which they could get an estimate

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1

Ok. Guess it doesn't have to be very precise anyway.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

Since he measured the circumference of the earth to a few percentage of it's know value today..he did something right

10 years ago | Likes 150 Dislikes 6

They were just asking how, they weren't challenging the assertion that they did.

10 years ago | Likes 6 Dislikes 0

Which is the right question to be asking. Shows a desire to understand, not just to memorize to sound smart at parties.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

the 2 locations are N/S of each other, "time" is measured as the sun moves E-to-W. so they can tell when the sun is at noon at both cities

10 years ago | Likes 216 Dislikes 0

I always wondered that! Thank you!

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

Me too!

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

they cities don't even need to be "noon" at the exact same time. the point is that at "noon" the shadows differ, which means the sun is 1/

10 years ago | Likes 49 Dislikes 2

at different angles to the two cities at noon, which means the sun canNOT be directly overhead to both of them. 2/

10 years ago | Likes 32 Dislikes 2

By the same token, there were probably ways to check the angle and measure time with hourglasses, etc.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

Also, what if either obelisk were not straight?

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 1

it would fall over

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

they are.

10 years ago | Likes 5 Dislikes 0

But couldn't it also mean that the earth is flat and the sun is really close so that viewing it from a different city would have a (1/2)

10 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 1

No, because then the temperature would be dependent on the sun's position to earth. Which is easy to demonstrate w/thermometer & logic.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

if you take measurements of the same shadow at different times, you can estimate the sun's distance away

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

substantial impact on its angle?

10 years ago | Likes 4 Dislikes 1

Couldn't it also have just meant that Apollo was doing his zig-zag thing when he sees a fine-ass shephardess?

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

The detailed specifics of exactly what they did around 230 BC are not surprisingly comprehensive.

10 years ago | Likes 180 Dislikes 6

Are we to be not surprised that they are comprehensive or surprised they are not comprehensive?

10 years ago | Likes 3 Dislikes 0

if I could upvote this multiple times, I would.

10 years ago | Likes 1 Dislikes 0

This was David Starkey level academic snark response here.

10 years ago | Likes 8 Dislikes 0

Starkey snarky?

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

The very same.

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 0

I'm tasting salt in the air

10 years ago | Likes 10 Dislikes 29

You want salt? Bring up the Library of Alexandria. Then you're going to get some historian tears.

10 years ago | Likes 27 Dislikes 2

:(

10 years ago | Likes 2 Dislikes 1