Question

how do people come to an understanding that earth is spherical

Answer 1

There were many proves after that it was accepted that earth is spherical at first 1. the earth casts a curved shadow on the moon during eclipses if the earth would be flat then it would cover the whole moon. 2. the horizon is circular that's why on oceans when we see it we think that the sky has merged with it . 3. Ferdinand Magellan started his journey from spain in 1799 from west direction and after 3 years he came back from the east direction this also proves that the earth is spherical.

Answer 2

Answer:

In olden days people felt that earth is flat because it looks flat . However they had a doubt , if it is flat how does the water in ocean remain there , Why does it not spell out of the earth ? To get clarity they assumed fencing around flat earth . After that 1 ) They assumed shape of earth is round by observing the shadow of earth in lunar eclipse . In every eclipse they found the shape of the earth is in round even though there is a chance of getting linear , elliptical shadows by a circulr object . 2 ) Some sailors who started their journey in ocean , reached the same place after travelling large distance in one direction only . 3 ) Observing ships approaching the port also helped to change their openion about the shape of the earth , that is , usually they see smoke of the ship first and then top of the ship after that the whole ship . 4 ) Observations about the movement of stars . Different stars visible from different places on the earth also helped to think about the shape of the earth . 5 ) In 1969 when man landed on the moon and observed the earth's shape from the moon and it is spherical .....