On a separate thread there was some discussion on real world observations of the earth that are simple, easy to understand, easy to verify, and non-contentious. The discussion continues but, so far there have been no disagreements about the truth of these observations. If there are disagreements or discussions about the truth of these observations, please continue on this thread:
https://forum.tfes.org/index.php?topic=10818.0For this thread we accept these observations as accurate:
1. On the equinox the sun traces a very nearly straight line across the sky for every location on the equator.
2. On the northern solstice the sun is very nearly directly almost overhead at solar noon for every location on the tropic of cancer.
3. On the southern solstice the sun is very nearly directly overhead at solar noon for every location on the tropic of capricorn.
4. On the equinox the sun rises almost exactly due east and sets almost exactly due west for every location on the earth, except for the polar regions.
5. For all points in northern latitudes, when looking due north observers see the northern pole star, Polaris. In the north polar region observers will see this by looking nearly directly up.
6. For all points in southern latitudes, when looking due south observers see the Southern Cross constellation. In the south polar region observers will see this by looking nearly directly up.
These will guide in laying out a map. However, these are not enough to produce a complete map. In this thread I would like to ask for other observations that match the criteria: simple, easy to understand, easy to verify, and non-contentious. Something that you could discuss at a dinner party. Something all parties can happily agree on without getting dragged into minutia or observations that are unverifiable!
How can the locations of continents be understood? How about the relative sizes and layouts of the continents. Nobody have been to all the coastlines of any continent, can we identify some fact everyone can agree is true to assist in the layout?
Again, remember, the first 6 observations are not the discussion of this thread, that goes in the other thread.