Dear Flat Earthers . . .

There is no scientifically credible evidence to prove that the Earth is flat. The overwhelming consensus in the scientific community, backed by centuries of research and observation, confirms that the Earth is an oblate spheroid (nearly spherical but slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator). Here are some well-established pieces of evidence that debunk the flat Earth theory and support the Earth's round shape:

1. Photographs from Space:

   - Satellites, space missions, and the International Space Station (ISS) have taken countless photos and videos of Earth from space. These images consistently show Earth as a round, spherical object. Since the 1960s, images such as the famous "Blue Marble" photograph taken during the Apollo missions clearly show the Earth's curvature. These images are direct, visual evidence of Earth's shape.

2. Lunar Eclipses:

   - During a lunar eclipse, the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon. This shadow is always round, regardless of where the eclipse occurs or the angle of the Sun. Only a spherical object can cast a round shadow in all orientations. If Earth were flat, its shadow would appear differently depending on the position of the Sun and Moon.

3. Gravity:

   - Gravity pulls equally from all sides toward the Earth's center of mass. For a large object like Earth, this force results in a nearly spherical shape because it minimizes energy. If Earth were flat, gravity would act differently across its surface, with objects not falling directly "downward" everywhere. For example, people far from the center would experience a strange sideways pull, which does not happen in reality.

4. Horizon and Curvature:

   - From ground level, the horizon appears flat, but as you gain altitude, the Earth's curvature becomes more evident. From high altitudes, such as from an airplane or atop a tall mountain, the horizon curves slightly downward. This curve becomes more pronounced the higher you go. Additionally, when ships disappear over the horizon, they first vanish from the bottom up, another indication of the Earth's curvature.

5. Time Zones:

   - If the Earth were flat, everyone on the planet would experience sunrise and sunset at the same time. However, we have different time zones because the Earth is round and rotates on its axis. As one side of the Earth faces the Sun, it experiences daylight, while the other side, facing away from the Sun, experiences nighttime. This phenomenon is only possible on a spherical object.

6. Airplane Flight Paths:

   - Airplane routes are planned using the shortest distance between two points on a globe, called a great circle route. For example, flights from North America to Asia often take routes over the Arctic, which wouldn’t make sense if the Earth were flat. These paths are shorter on a round Earth, reducing travel time and fuel consumption. This routing confirms Earth's spherical nature.