DIFF.BLOG
New Following Discover Jobs
More
Top Writers Suggest a blog Upvotes plugin
Report bug Contact About
Sign up
Topics
Follow your own topics →
Menu
New Following Discover Jobs Top Writers
More
Suggest a blog Upvotes plugin Report bug Contact About
Sign up
The home for great developer writing.
We surface the best developer writing from thousands of independent blogs, updated daily.
Join Diff.blog
TOPICS

The center of the earth is not straight down

35 · John Cook · Dec. 29, 2025, 11:38 a.m.
Math Geodesy Earth Science Physics Geometry Gravity
Summary
The post explains how the direction of 'down' is influenced by the Earth's shape, highlighting the difference between true downwards direction towards the center and the practical perception of down due to the planet's flattening at the poles.
Read full post on www.johndcook.com →
MORE POSTS LIKE THIS
The “Einstein Tile” That Broke Math Is Now Twisting Light Into Pinwheels
Thedebrief · Aug 3, 2026
Breaking News Physics
Measuring G: The ultimate metrology challenge?
Edn · May 14, 2026
Analog Angle Blogs
Physicists extend Hawking’s black hole laws to dynamical objects
Physicsworld · Aug 12, 2026
Cosmology Physics
Garden Anomaly: A Tiny WebGPU and TSL Experiment
Tympanus · Aug 6, 2026
playground 3d
What is Potential Energy, Really?
Brianschrader · Jul 27, 2026
Math Physics
Exploring Color Theory and Physics at Home
Adafruit Industries Blog · Jul 29, 2026
young engineers color theory
Discover more posts →
AUTHOR
BLOG POST FEATURED ON

Placeholder image
Hacker News

4 points

Add this plugin to your blog
RECENT POSTS FROM THE AUTHOR
Choose how you want to continue.
Continue with GitHub Continue with Google