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circumference of the earth

toolman
in Astronomy and Cosmology

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Does anyone know the most accurate measure of the circumference of the earth in miles? I have found: 24,902 miles. How accurate is that?

Does anyone know the most accurate measure of the circumference of the earth in miles? I have found: 24,902 miles. How accurate is that?

Depends on the scale. Think fractals. ;)

The earth is an oblate spheroid, so the answer must depend on which direction you measure.

Superimposed on this are variations (largely due to continental placement) that give it somewhat of a pear shape. Although you are talking diameter rather than shape, the earlier observations hold: it really depends where you are measuring it.

A final word on its shape: the best descriptor is that it is a geoid - i.e earth shaped!icon7.gif

  • 3 weeks later...

Well looking at logic I would presume the Eath to be 24,000 in circumference, approx our planets rotation speed is 1.000 m.p.h. approx; taking 24 hrs to complete a rotation.

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