A quick debunk of the flat earth model - Pt 2

Quickly following on from the flat map joke, this second part deals with how astronomy has helped to prove the earth is a globe - globe geometry works in astronomy and the equipment you can buy is engineered according to globe geometry. Using a mount called an 'Equatorial Mount' would just simply not work on flat earth.

These mounts are similar to tripods, but their axis are not simple up/down - left/right. The two axis are called 'Right Ascension' or 'RA' and 'Declination' or 'Dec'. Once they are set for the latitude you are at, simply align the scope to a target star, planet or deep space object, you can then 'track' the movement of the object while observing or taking photos which require long exposures. The mount will follow the object by syncing with the earth's rotation. This can be computer controlled with software such as Stellarium or Cartes De Ciel.

Your telescope would require accurate setting up in order to track without drifting off, and this is relatively easy using a Equatorial mount. The mount will have a gauge on its polar axis that you use to set to the latitude you are at, and through the centre of the polar axis is a small scope with a reticel imprinted with the celestial pole point, Polaris, Cassiopeia and the Big Dipper. For the southern hemisphere the reticel will have different points and a little bit more difficult as there is no southern pole star bright enough to align to. But once you are aligned, away you go.

The reticel inside the polar axis alignment scope.

The following two images describe how the equatorial mount works by setting up to your latitude.

Globe model - Works.

oops, spot the typos, done late at night.

Flat model - does not work, no matter how much you fudge it or invent flat earth magic

 So, There you have it. This is what I call 'in your face' evidence, which can be backed up with practical use, anyone can verify this, it is fool proof (so flatties may have a hard time with that)


ps: notice the images are a bit low res, NASA doesn't pay me enough to buy high end software.