"Zetetic Astronomy: Earth Not a Globe", a book written by Samuel Birley Rowbotham, book presents an alternative perspective on the shape of the Earth, challenging the widely accepted belief in a spherical Earth. Rowbotham argues that the Earth is not a globe but a flat, stationary plane. He presents his arguments based on observations, experiments, and what he calls "zetetic" (meaning "inquiring" or "investigative") reasoning rather than relying on traditional scientific methods. The book challenges the principles of astronomy and asserts that the Earth's surface is flat, extending indefinitely. Throughout the book, Rowbotham addresses various topics related to astronomy, physics, and the nature of the Earth. He explores concepts such as gravity, the curvature of the Earth, the behavior of bodies of water, and the phenomena of tides and eclipses, offering alternative explanations that contradict the prevailing scientific consensus.

Samuel Birley Rowbotham (1816–1884) was an English inventor, writer and utopian socialist who wrote Zetetic Astronomy: Earth Not a Globe under the pseudonym Parallax.