Earth as Viewed From Space

Earth as Viewed From Space

In Eratosthenes’ time globes were constructed portraying the Earth as viewed from space; they were essentially correct in the well-explored Mediterranean, but became more and more inaccurate the farther they strayed from home. Our present knowledge of the Cosmos shares this disagreeable but inevitable feature.

After Eratosthenes, some may have tried, but not until the time of Magellan did anyone succeed in circumnavigating the Earth. What tales of daring and adventure must earlier have been recounted as sailors and navigators, practical men of the world, gambled their lives on the mathematics of a scientist from Alexandria?

The technology that allowed us to explore and inhabit the most remote regions of the Earth now permits us to leave our planet, to venture into space, to explore other worlds.

Leaving the Earth, we are now able to view it from above, to see its solid spherical shape of Eratosthenian dimensions and the outlines of its continents, confirming that many of the ancient mapmakers were remarkably competent.

What a pleasure such a view would have given to Eratosthenes and the other Alexandrian geographers. Image: © Megan Jorgensen (Elena)