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The story of a 10-year scientific expedition to the equator to resolve the mystery surrounding the shape of the Earth will be the topic of a discussion at the John W. Kluge Center.
Ricardo V. Luna, a distinguished visiting scholar at the Kluge Center and former ambassador of Peru to the United States, will hold a conversation with award-winning science writer Larrie D. Ferreiro, whose latest book is "Measure of the Earth: The Enlightenment Expedition That Reshaped Our World."
It was known that the Earth was not a perfect sphere, but scientists did not know if it was elongated or flattened at the poles, which impeded the ability to precisely locate ships at sea. France and Spain sent a group of scientists and naval officers to resolve the debate. Many years later, the notoriety of the expedition gave a newly independent country its name—Ecuador.
Tuesday, October 25, 4 - 6 p.m. Library of Congress, Room LJ-119, Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. S.E., Washington, DC.
Free; no reservations or tickets are required. Request ASL and ADA accommodations five days in advance at 202-707-6362 or ADA@loc.gov.
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