Marco Meniero is an Italian astrophotographer, scientific sky photographer, and science communicator. Active since the 1990s, he is recognized as a leading expert and specialist in the observation, photographic documentation, classification, and physical explanation of atmospheric optics and photometeors.

Prove the Earth’s sphericity with a ship

19-08-2022 15:51

Marco Meniero

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Prove the Earth’s sphericity with a ship

I decided to photograph a ship sailing beyond the visible Earth horizon, in order to show the curvature of the Earth. The ship departed from

I decided to photograph a ship sailing beyond the visible terrestrial horizon, to document the Earth’s curvature.

The ship left the port of Livorno heading for Barcelona and during navigation it is clearly seen that it drops behind the horizon.

Note that after the ship passes the Island of Gorgona it seems to rise slightly. I believe this is due to the fact that, leaving the island’s lee, it meets colder air and therefore greater atmospheric refraction that lifts the image.

I took the photos from Marina di Pisa (Pi) with a Nikon Z9 at 160 ISO and spot metering with highlight priority and Nikon AF-S 300mm f/2.8 VR stopped down to f/5.6. Shutter speeds of 1/1600”. Shooting time from 19:05 to 19:30 LT.

GPS coordinates DMS: 43°40'0.01" N 10°16'0.01" E (Bagno Impero beach facility by Gianluca Tiozzo)

According to the IOS MarineTraffic app the ship in question is 3FAQ Leo Spirit, 199.9 meters long and 32 meters wide.