Is that your scientific reasoning kicking in? We can set an auto-level up that's configured to be level to within .001' per kilometer. That being said we can also predict exactly how high the laser will rise over distance using the circumference of the earth as a baseline. That's important because, when surveying large plots of land, the curvature of the earth effects how we measure straight line distances between points. We have to incorporate the curvature in our measurements or points will say one thing on paper and quite another in real time and space. Paper actually is flat, so measurements on paper are shorter than those measured in the field...every time and everywhere. It the earth was flat, none of this would be necessary.
Our GPS units triangulate distances between satellites, cell towers and the instrument being held, to accurately plot points within 001' horizontally. The units literally follow the satellite as it crosses the sky from horizon to horizon. We lose them until they come back around to the other side of the planet. But all that is just basic math and basic science. It's indisputable and the techniques have been used for centuries. The only thing that has changed is the technology, which has confirmed and tightened measured distances.
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