"The Theory of the Figure of the Earth"

The Theory of the Figure of the Earth explains that our planet is not a perfect sphere but slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator, making it an oblate spheroid. This shape results from Earth's rotation, which causes the equatorial regions to expand outward. Understanding this shape is crucial for accurate navigation, mapmaking, and studying Earth's gravity and climate patterns. Scientists determined this by measuring Earth's surface and gravity at different locations, leading to a more precise model of our planet’s geometry.