Which statement provides the best evidence that the Earth has a nearly spherical shape?

The statement that provides the best evidence that the Earth has a nearly spherical shape is that the altitude of Polaris (North Star) depends on the latitude of the observer. In other words, the altitude of Polaris changes with the observer's latitude.

North Star or Polaris refers to the brightest star that is very close to the North celestial pole. In a bid to confirm this, scientists found out a definite pattern of a half-circle when they decided to follow the North Star (Polaris) by changing their latitude.

This definite pattern of a half-circle formed between the North Pole and the Equator. It is important to note that there are other ways to prove the Earth has a nearly spherical shape. One of the ways to prove the Earth is spherical is by watching a ship as it sails off to sea. Scientists also believe that a lunar eclipse can be used to explain the spherical shape of the Earth.

The correct answer to this question is The altitude of Polaris(N. Star) changes with the observer s latitude in the Northern Hemisphere. The earliest concept about the spherical shape of Earth is dated back to 5th century BC.

This was first bought on by Greek philosophers. Before the belief that Earth was spherical, there was a belief that Earth was flat. There were also other theories that believed that Earth had seven layers or that it was a mountain that was cosmic.

The most descriptions of Earth came during the 17th century, when Issac Newton described it in his book Principia.

Out of all the available statements, the one that will prove that the shape of the earth is almost a perfectly spherical shape is the fact that the altitude of the Polaris star will change depending on the view of the observer in the Northern hemisphere. There are a lot of people who are still insisting that the earth is flat but there are still other clues that will show the earth’s shape.

If you would be watching a ship when you are near the sea, you will notice that as it goes further, the ship will appear to sink although it is not. Another proof is that when a lunar eclipse happens, there will be a round shadow that will appear which will not happen if the earth is flat.