NASA model reveals Earth is actually shaped like a potato

Key Points:

• A new high-precision gravity model called the geoid reveals Earth’s gravitational field variations, depicting the planet as a lumpy, potato-shaped form rather than a smooth sphere, though Earth’s physical shape remains nearly round.
• The geoid visualization highlights subtle gravitational "hills" and "valleys" caused by uneven distribution of dense and less dense materials inside Earth, providing insights into the planet’s internal composition.
• This detailed model was developed using over 15 years of satellite data from ESA’s GOCE and NASA’s GRACE missions, creating one of the most precise maps of Earth’s gravitational landscape.
• Understanding the geoid is crucial for modern applications such as enhancing GPS accuracy, monitoring climate change through sea level measurement, and studying geological processes beneath Earth’s surface.
• Despite its unusual appearance, the geoid image is a scientific tool that helps researchers interpret invisible gravitational variations, not an indication of physical distortion or instability of the planet.