What is the science of measuring the Earth's shape known as?

The science of measuring the Earth's shape is known as geodesy. This discipline involves the study of the Earth's geometric shape, orientation in space, and gravitational field. Geodesy integrates various methodologies, including satellite and ground-based measurements, to determine precise positions and understand changes related to the Earth's physical features over time.

In contrast, cartography focuses on the creation and study of maps, representing spatial information about the Earth but not necessarily measuring its shape. Topography refers to the arrangement of the natural and artificial physical features of an area, often depicted in detail through contour lines on maps, but it does not encompass the broader scientific measurements involved in geodesy. Geography is the broader study of places and the relationships between people and their environments; it includes aspects of both human and physical geography but is not specifically concerned with Earth's shape itself. Thus, geodesy is the most accurate term for the science concerned with measuring the Earth's shape.