| earthdirections | |
For thousands of years humans have known the Earth is not flat, yet gravity constrains us to the surface of what we tend to perceive as relatively planar territories. In these pages are ideas and resources for learning tools offering ways to visualize a more 3-dimensional Earth, providing a more intuitive sense of where other peoples and places are are in this spherical village we all share.
Concepts for exhibitry and public art are illustrated on the ideas pages. The straight-line “as the neutrino flies” direction & distance from one location on Earth to another can be found using the locate tool, or by generating a map. Software, formulas and other tools useful in further developing these general ideas are listed on the links page.
*
I put this website together back in 2004 after a stint developing biology exhibits at the Exploratorium, a museum with a focus on informal science education. That led to an interest in creating experiences that could help make real the fact we’re all together on this big ball of life in space. The passage of time and various responsibilities somehow didn’t leave room for creating installation art, but I keep earthdirections up to share ideas, with the hope of circling around to pick up on this again.
John Magolske
June 2025
37°20′ N 121°53′ W