Fact Check: "Earth is not flat."
What We Know
The claim that "Earth is not flat" is supported by a substantial body of scientific evidence. The ancient Greeks were among the first to propose that the Earth is round, using observations such as the circular shadow cast by the Earth on the Moon during lunar eclipses as evidence of its spherical shape (source-1). This idea has been reinforced by centuries of scientific inquiry and empirical observations.
Modern science provides numerous ways to demonstrate the Earth's curvature. For instance, high-altitude photographs taken from airplanes and spacecraft have captured the Earth's curvature, showing that it is indeed round (source-2). Additionally, the behavior of gravity supports the spherical model; gravity pulls objects toward the center of mass, which naturally forms a sphere in large celestial bodies like Earth (source-1).
The phenomenon of seeing different star constellations as one moves north or south is another piece of evidence. For example, the North Star (Polaris) is visible in the Northern Hemisphere but disappears from view in the Southern Hemisphere, which would not be the case if the Earth were flat (source-1).
Analysis
The sources supporting the claim that the Earth is not flat are credible and well-regarded in the scientific community. The article from UNLV features insights from Jason Steffen, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy with a background in NASA's Kepler mission, lending significant authority to the claims made (source-1). The NASA article also provides historical context and empirical evidence, further solidifying the argument for a spherical Earth (source-2).
While some sources, such as Wikipedia, provide a general overview of Earth's shape and historical perspectives, they are less authoritative than peer-reviewed scientific articles or those written by experts in the field (source-5). Nonetheless, they corroborate the established understanding of Earth's shape through various observations and experiments.
The reliability of the sources is high, as they are published by reputable institutions such as NASA and universities, which are known for their scientific rigor. The arguments presented are based on observable phenomena and well-established scientific principles, making them robust against skepticism.
Conclusion
The claim that "Earth is not flat" is True. The overwhelming evidence from historical observations, modern scientific experiments, and photographic documentation supports the conclusion that the Earth is a sphere. The consistency of these findings across various scientific disciplines further reinforces the validity of this claim.
