Fact Check: The Earth is flat

Fact Check: "The Earth is flat"

What We Know

The claim that "the Earth is flat" contradicts a vast array of scientific evidence and historical observations supporting the Earth's spherical shape. Indirect evidence of the Earth’s spherical shape has existed since ancient times, with the ancient Greeks being among the first to calculate its circumference with remarkable accuracy (NASA). Observations during lunar eclipses, where the Earth casts a curved shadow on the Moon, further support this conclusion (Wikipedia).

In modern times, advancements in technology have provided photographic evidence of the Earth's curvature. High-altitude balloon flights and space missions have captured images showing the Earth as a round object. For instance, the first photograph showing the Earth's curvature was taken at an altitude of 21,000 feet in 1930 (NASA). Additionally, the first images of Earth from space, taken by a V-2 rocket in 1946, confirmed its spherical shape (NASA).

Analysis

The assertion that the Earth is flat lacks credible support and is contradicted by extensive empirical evidence. The spherical shape of the Earth is supported by various phenomena, such as the visibility of distant objects, the behavior of ships disappearing over the horizon, and the consistent circular shadow cast during lunar eclipses (Wikipedia).

The sources used to debunk the flat Earth claim are reputable and well-regarded. NASA, for example, is a leading authority in space exploration and has provided substantial photographic evidence of the Earth's curvature (NASA). Wikipedia, while a collaborative platform, cites numerous scientific studies and historical observations that reinforce the spherical Earth theory (Wikipedia).

Moreover, the scientific consensus on the Earth's shape is overwhelming. According to a BBC article, there are multiple ways to demonstrate that the Earth is round, including satellite imagery and the physics of gravity, which would not function as they do if the Earth were flat. The lack of credible scientific debate around this topic further emphasizes the reliability of the spherical Earth model (ABOUT SCIENCE).

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The claim that "the Earth is flat" is unequivocally false. It contradicts a substantial body of historical, empirical, and scientific evidence supporting the Earth's spherical shape. The overwhelming consensus among scientists, bolstered by centuries of observations and modern photographic evidence, confirms that the Earth is not flat but rather an oblate spheroid.