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Vistas Lifelong Learning
  • Welcome
  • About Vistas
    • About
    • Board of Directors
    • Curriculum Committee
  • Membership
    • Join Vistas
  • Vistas Calendar
  • Courses and Programs
    • Current Courses
    • Book Clubs
    • Course Videos
    • How to Register
    • Past Courses
    • Become a Presenter
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Back to All Events

Mapping the Earth

  • Thursday, October 30, 2025
  • 9:30 AM 12:00 PM 09:30 12:00
  • Google Calendar ICS

Thursday: October 30, 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Bethany Congregational Church
556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara
VISTAS member price: $20; non-member price: $30

Presented by: Norm Cohen
A man leaves his house and walks due south for one mile. Then he turns, walks one mile due west, and sees a bear. He then turns again and walks due north for one mile and is back home. What color is the bear? This riddle involves one of the biggest historical challenges to map-making. In this presentation, we’ll discuss some of the problems that faced ancient cartographers: How did they measure the size of the Earth? When did they realize it is not flat? How did they attempt to display the surface of a sphere on a flat sheet of paper? How were the heights of mountains determined long before there were satellites, drones, lasers, or even airplanes? We’ll cover these questions and more.

Mapping the Earth
Earlier Event: October 29
Murder in Santa Barbara 2/2
Later Event: November 3
The Role of “Favored Minorities” in American Government 1/4