Why can't we see Earth's curvature?

The reason we can't see the curvature of the Earth from the ground is because of its size. The Earth is massive, with a circumference of about 40,075 kilometers. The curve is so gradual that it's not noticeable to the naked eye when you're standing on the surface. What you see instead is a seemingly flat horizon, which is the result of your limited field of view.

From higher altitudes, like on a plane or from space, the curvature becomes more visible. This is because you're far enough away to see a larger portion of the Earth's surface. The higher you go, the more noticeable the curve, as your perspective allows you to observe the Earth as a whole, rather than a small section of it.

The Earth's curvature also becomes apparent in specific ways, like during a lunar eclipse when the Earth casts a curved shadow on the Moon, or when ships disappear hull-first as they move beyond the horizon. These subtle clues confirm that the Earth is round, even if you can't directly see its curve from the ground.

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