NASA has released a new 3D model of Earth revealing the planet isn't a smooth sphere, but rather a 'lumpy mess.' The model is based on mapping the Earth’s gravitational field and provides a different perspective on our home planet.
The commonly held image of Earth as a perfect sphere is inaccurate. NASA’s new visualization demonstrates that the distribution of mass within the Earth isn't uniform, leading to variations in its gravitational pull. This unevenness creates bulges and dips across the planet’s surface.
The model was created by mapping the Earth’s gravitational field. According to WIRED, this process reveals a far more complex shape than the simplified sphere often depicted in textbooks and images. The differences in gravity are caused by variations in the density of materials beneath the surface – things like mountains, deep ocean trenches, and even differences in rock types all contribute.
The purpose of creating such a detailed model isn't simply aesthetic; understanding Earth’s gravitational field is crucial for accurate GPS navigation, satellite positioning, and studying the planet’s internal structure. The visualization offers a new way to understand the forces shaping our world.
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