I append here a complete list of the "proofs" maintained by modern science in support of the Copernican system. These fall naturally into two divisions: namely, (1) Those which may be considered as Tangible Evidence, being based on observed facts accessible to, or within the reach of, our physical senses; and (2) Those which may be considered as Intangible, or Theoretical Evidence, since they are based on observations of phenomena partially or altogether beyond the reach of our physical senses.
Tangible Evidence. (The first seven have to do with the earth's globularity).
(1) The circumnavigation of the globe.
(2) The weight of objects is almost uniform at the same height above sea level at all parts of the earth's surface. (3) The fact that the plane of the horizon, or the direction of the plumb line, changes by an angle which is directly proportional to the distance travelled along the surface of the earth, whatever be the starting point, direction of travel, and distance travelled.
(4) The appearance of vessels coming in from sea indicates that the surface is everywhere convex. (5) The fact that the sea-horizon, as seen from an eminence, is everywhere depressed to the same extent below the level line, shows that the surface is approximately spherical.
(6) When three signals are placed in line at equal elevations above sea level, the middle one appears above the line of sight between the other two. It is inferred from this that the greater elevation of the middle signal is due to the convex, or upward, bulge of the earth's surface.
(This completes the list of Tangible proofs).
Theoretical Evidence.
(7) The shadow of the earth, as seen upon the moon at the time of a lunar eclipse, is that which only a sphere could cast.
(Those that follow have to do with the rotational and orbital movements of the earth).
(8) The Apparent diurnal movement of the heavenly bodies from east to west indicates that the earth may have a rotational motion from west to east.
(9) The eastward deviation of bodies falling from a great height.
(10) Foucault's pendulum experiment. Foucault set a pendulum swinging, and by its turning through a circle during the day it seemed to indicate the rotation of the earth about an axis.
(11) The gyroscopic experiment, also by Foucault, was similar to the pendulum experiment. (12) The deviation of projectiles, to the right in the northern hemisphere, and to the left in the southern, seems to indicate a rotation of the earth.
(13) Trade Winds, Ocean Currents, and Tides are due to the rotation of the earth. (14) The deviation of the plumb line towards the equator is due to the earth's rotation.
(15) The ellipsoidal shape of the earth is a consequence of its rotation.
(16) The Apparent annual motion of the sun about the earth, seems to indicate that there may be an Actual orbital movement of the earth about the sun.
(17) Annual parallax, or displacement, of the stars.
(18) Aberration of light indicates the earth's orbital motion.
(19) Variation in the velocity of light from stars in six months, as shown by the spectroscope, seems to indicate a change in the earth's orbital motion.
(20) The discrepancy between the predicted and actual times of eclipses of Jupiter's moons indicates an orbital movement of the earth.
Not one of the foregoing "proofs," tangible or intangible, it will be found, has any weight whatsoever, when subjected to a rigid examination in the powerful search-light of the new conception.
These questions are all taken up and discussed in the "Introduction to the new Cosmology." ---
← Appendix A — Day and Night | Appendix C — 75 Vital Questions →
- -- Source: O. F. Barcus, A New World Discovered (1917).