Why does our atmosphere appear spherical while Earth itself is clearly not (e.g., elevations from ocean trenches to mountains)?

Question

Why does our atmosphere appear spherical while Earth itself is clearly not (e.g., elevations from ocean trenches to mountains)?

In: Physics

Answer 1

Thank you so much guys! Apparently Neil deGrasse Tyson covered this exact topic on a Joe Rogan podcast back in August with basically the same answers. You guys rock.