Geodesy and the Earths Size and Shape

Earth, with an average distance of 92,955,820 miles (149,597,890 km) from the sun, is the third planet and one of the most unique planets in the solar system. It formed around 4.5 to 4.6 billion years ago and is the only planet known to sustain life. This is because of factors like its atmospheric composition and physical properties such as the presence of water over 70.8% of the planet allow life to thrive. Earth is also unique however because it is the largest of the terrestrial planets (one that have a thin layer of rocks on the surface as opposed to those that are mostly made up of gases like Jupiter or Saturn) based on its mass, density, and diameter. Earth is also the fifth largest planet in the entire solar system. Earths Size As the largest of the terrestrial planets, Earth has an estimated mass of 5.9736 Ãâ€" 1024 kg. Its volume is also the largest of these planets at 108.321 Ãâ€" 1010km3. In addition, Earth is the densest of the terrestrial planets as it is made up of a crust, mantle, and core. The Earths crust is the thinnest of these layers while the mantle comprises 84% of Earths volume and extends 1,800 miles (2,900 km) below the surface. What makes Earth the densest of these planets, however, is its core. It is the only terrestrial planet with a liquid outer core that surrounds a solid, dense inner core. Earths average density is 5515 Ãâ€" 10 kg/m3. Mars, the smallest of the terrestrial planets by density, is only around 70% as dense as Earth. Earth is classified as the largest of the terrestrial planets based on its circumference and diameter as well. At the equator, Earths circumference is 24,901.55 miles (40,075.16 km). It is slightly smaller between the North and South poles at 24,859.82 miles (40,008 km). Earths diameter at the poles is 7,899.80 miles (12,713.5 km) while it is 7,926.28 miles (12,756.1 km) at the equator. For comparison, the largest planet in Earths solar system, Jupiter, has a diameter of 88,846 miles (142,984 km). Earths Shape Earths circumference and diameter differ because its shape is classified as an oblate spheroid or ellipsoid, instead of a true sphere. This means that instead of being of equal circumference in all areas, the poles are squished, resulting in a bulge at the equator, and thus a larger circumference and diameter there. The equatorial bulge at Earths equator is measured at 26.5 miles (42.72 km) and is caused by the planets rotation and gravity. Gravity itself causes planets and other celestial bodies to contract and form a sphere. This is because it pulls all the mass of an object as close to the center of gravity (the Earths core in this case) as possible. Because Earth rotates, this sphere is distorted by the centrifugal force. This is the force that causes objects to move outward away from the center of gravity. Therefore, as the Earth rotates, centrifugal force is greatest at the equator so it causes a slight outward bulge there, giving that region a larger circumference and diameter. Local topography also plays a role in the Earths shape, but on a global scale, its role is very small. The largest differences in local topography across the globe are Mount Everest, the highest point above sea level at 29,035 ft (8,850 m), and the Mariana Trench, the lowest point below sea level at 35,840 ft (10,924 m). This difference is only a matter of about 12 miles (19 km), which is quite minor overall. If the equatorial bulge is considered, the worlds highest point and the place that is farthest from the Earths center is the peak of the volcano Chimborazo in Ecuador as it is the highest peak that is nearest the equator. Its elevation is 20,561 ft (6,267 m). Geodesy To ensure that the Earths size and shape are studied accurately, geodesy, a branch of science responsible for measuring the Earths size and shape with surveys and mathematical calculations is used. Throughout history, geodesy was a significant branch of science as early scientists and philosophers attempted to determine the Earths shape. Aristotle is the first person credited with trying to calculate Earths size and was, therefore, an early geodesist. The Greek philosopher Eratosthenes followed and was able to estimate the Earths circumference at 25,000 miles, only slightly higher than todays accepted measurement. In order to study the Earth and use geodesy today, researchers often refer to the ellipsoid, geoid, and datums. An ellipsoid in this field is a theoretical mathematical model that shows a smooth, simplistic representation of the Earths surface. It is used to measure distances on the surface without having to account for things like elevation changes and landforms. To account for the reality of the Earths surface, geodesists use the geoid which is a shape that is constructed using the global mean sea level and as a result takes elevation changes into account. The basis of all geodetic work today though is the datum. These are sets of data that act as reference points for global surveying work. In geodesy, there are two main datums used for transportation and navigation in the U.S. and they make up a portion of the National Spatial Reference System. Today, technology like satellites and global positioning systems (GPS) allow geodesists and other scientists to make extremely accurate measurements of the Earths surface. In fact, it is so accurate, geodesy can allow for worldwide navigation but it also allows researchers to measure small changes in the Earths surface down to the centimeter level to obtain the most accurate measurements of the Earths size and shape.

Essay on Portrayal of Women in the Media - 3123 Words

Portrayal of Women in the Media Gender is the psychological characteristics and social categories that are created by human culture. Doing gender is the concept that humans express their gender when they interact with one another. Messages about how a male or female is supposed to act come from many different places. Schools, parents, and friends can influence a person. Another major factor that influences millions of impressionable females and males is television. Not only does the television teach each sex how to act, it also shows how one sex should expect the other sex to act. In the current television broadcasting, stereotypical behavior goes from programming for the very small to adult audiences. In this broadcasting range,†¦show more content†¦When adults are shown on the show the men are seen as rugged construction workers or mailmen, while the women are seen as cooks and mothers. Also, children are shown examples of items that their sex is expected to like. When the children on the television are asked what animals are their favorite, â€Å"girls name teddy bears and kitties, boys name big lions, grizzly and polar bears.† This makes the girls seem innocent, only liking things that are cuddly and do not post threats to those around them. Teletubbies also shows a definitive way the females are supposed to act. This show â€Å"maintains sex-role stereotypes such as caretaker and follower for girls.† The show has four main characters called Tubbies. Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa Laa and Po are their names. They differ in size and color. The two larger Tubbies, Tinky Winky and Dipsy are the male characters and dressed in dark, masculine colors. Laa Laa and Po are the smaller Tubbies and dressed in light, feminine colors. The males are always seen as being more active, running around and dancing. The girls sing together and eat. 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Tell Tale Heart Essay Free Essays

HTH s idea is portrayed hen we see the protagonists struggle between himself and the old man’s eve axed eye. As the story progresses, the conflict between the protagonist and the beating heart r enders the idea of the narrator versus himself. The external struggle within the Story seems to be the narrator’s conflict with the old man. We will write a custom essay sample on Tell Tale Heart Essay or any similar topic only for you Order Now The protagonist loved the old man, eliminating motives that might normally in spire such a violent murder. As he proclaims his own sanity, the narrator fixates on the old man’s vulture. â€Å"It was open wide, wide open and grew furious as gazed upon it. Saw it wit h perfect strictness all a dull blue, with a hideous veil over it that chilled the very mar row in my bones; but I could see nothing else of the old man ‘s face or person: for I had directed the ray as if by instinct, precisely upon the damned spot. † The narrator reduces the old man t o the distinctive blue of his eye in obsessive fashion. He separates the man from his â€Å"Evil Eye† so he can spare the man the burden of guilt that he attributes to the eye itself. The narrator FAA ills to see that the eye of the old man is a fundamental part of his identity that cannot be isolate d as the narrator abnormally imagines. As a result of his warped sense of reality, the narrator obsesses over the low beats of the man’s heart, yet shows little concern about the man’s shrieks, which are loud enough to attract his neighbor’s attention and draw the police to the scene of the crime. Through hoot the story, he explains that he is not mad, but ironically, he is the opposite of this, as he strut eagles to comprehend his own mind. The narrator’s paranoia and guilt make it mine NT that he will give himself away. The police arrive on the scene to give him the opportunity to be tray himself. The more the narrator professes his own calm manner, the more he is unable to e cape the beating of his own heart, which he mistakes for the beating of the old man’s heart. As he confesses to the crime in the final sentence, he addresses the policemen as â€Å"villains,† indicating g his incapability to distinguish between their real identity and his own villainy. The internal conflict within the story is disguised as external conflict, through t he way that Poe describes the struggle of man versus man and man versus self. The protagonist battles with the old man’s â€Å"vexed† eye; however, this slowly turns into a combat bet en the narrators own mind, as he tries to escape the beating of his own heart. How to cite Tell Tale Heart Essay, Essays

Mending Wall free essay sample

This essay compares and contrasts two poems, Mending Wall by Robert Frost, and Mother to Son by Languor Hughes. Very useful if assigned to compare and contrast two poems. BY harshness The poems Mending Wall by Robert Frost, and Mother to Son by Languor Hughes are very similar in many ways, and yet very different in others. Mother to Son is written from a mother telling her son that life isnt easy and not to give up. Mending Wall is about a man fixing a wall that has holes in it.Both of these poems re about the hard work it takes to get something done. Each of these poems teaches us to never give up when times get hard. The subject of Mending Wall Is about two neighbors who are fixing a wall that has holes In It. Mother to Son has a very different subject; a mother teaching her son about life and to never give up. We will write a custom essay sample on Mending Wall or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I believe the theme of both poems Is that problems will always happen and you just have to do your best, keep going, and never give up. These two poems have very different subjects yet very similar themes.These two poems have very different uses of imagery. Some examples of the imagery used in Mending Wall are: the apples eating pioneers, and old-stone savaged arms. Tacks, splinters, crystal stairs, places with no carpet, turning corners, and landings are examples of the imagery used in Mother to Son. Spring is the mischief in me is an example of a simile used in Mending Wall. In Mother to Son when the mother compares her life to a crystal stair, this Is the use of a metaphor.In Mending Wall the poem Is spoken from the first person point of view from one of the men building the wall. The first person point of view Is also used in Mother to Son, yet it is from the mother. I believe that the tone in Mother to Son is helpful. In Mending Wall, I believe the tone is also kind of helpful. But curious. As one can see, these two poems are very similar to one another, and yet unique in their own way. In my own opinion, these are two great poems worth reading. Mother to Son is more upbeat, and Mending Wall is almost like a short story.I believe both of these poems are alike In the way that both of them are about problems, but different because the problems they face are different. The mother in Mother to Son knows all the answers and is passing them to her son, and in Mending Wall the man wants to find out the answers. BY womanish The subject of Mending Wall is about two neighbors who are fixing a wall that has holes in it. Mother to Son has a very different subject; a mother teaching her son about life and to never give up.I believe the theme of both poems is that problems will always happen and you Just have to do your best, keep going, and never give up. When the mother compares her life to a crystal stair, this is the use of a metaphor. In Mending Wall the poem is spoken from the first person point of view from one of the men building the wall. The first person point of view is also used in Mother to Mending Wall, I believe the tone is also kind of helpful, but curious. Of these poems are alike in the way that both of them are about problems,