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Fooled in Blackpool

From the top of (approximately 150 metres) on the UK’s west coast, can you see the curvature of Earth along the Irish Sea horizon? I thought I could, but my friend disagreed. If I’m wrong, how high would we have needed to be?

(Continued)

• Every time I read yet another theoretical contribution to your debate over whether the curvature of the Earth is apparent from the top of Blackpool Tower, I turn to the front cover of the magazine just to check that the word “scientist” is really still there.

I would have thought that by now someone would have followed the scientific method: just do the experiment and report the result. I would certainly have had a look if I lived a little closer.

John Twin, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, UK

Topics: Last Word