Fact Check: The Earth is flat

Fact-Check: "The Earth is flat"

What We Know

The claim that "the Earth is flat" contradicts centuries of scientific evidence supporting the Earth's spherical shape. Historical records indicate that the concept of a round Earth dates back over 2,000 years. For instance, ancient Indian texts, such as the Rigveda, reference a spherical Earth, while Greek philosophers like Empedocles and Anaxagoras provided early observations of the Earth's shadow during lunar eclipses, noting its round shape around 430 BCE. Aristotle further supported this notion in 350 BCE by observing that ships disappear hull-first over the horizon, which would not occur if the Earth were flat (BBC Sky at Night Magazine).

Eratosthenes, in approximately 240 BCE, calculated the Earth's circumference using the angle of shadows cast by poles in different locations, achieving a remarkably accurate estimate (BBC Sky at Night Magazine). The understanding of Earth's shape was solidified through the circumnavigation of the globe by the Magellan expedition in the 16th century (BBC Sky at Night Magazine).

Modern scientific evidence, including satellite imagery and physics, overwhelmingly supports the conclusion that the Earth is a sphere. For example, the NASA space missions have provided countless images of Earth from space, consistently showing its round shape.

Analysis

The belief in a flat Earth persists despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary. The Flat Earth Society, which has its roots in the 1950s, claims that the Earth is flat and that images from space are fabricated by governments (Live Science). This perspective is not supported by credible scientific evidence and often relies on conspiracy theories that lack empirical backing.

The sources that support the spherical Earth, such as the BBC Sky at Night Magazine and NASA, are reputable and based on extensive scientific research. In contrast, flat Earth claims often stem from anecdotal evidence and misinterpretations of scientific principles. For instance, flat-earthers frequently misunderstand the physics of gravity and perspective, leading to flawed arguments against the spherical model (Interesting Engineering).

Moreover, the psychological and social aspects of flat Earth belief have been explored, revealing that adherents often subscribe to a range of conspiracy theories, which can further entrench their views (Live Science). This suggests that the flat Earth belief is less about scientific inquiry and more about a rejection of mainstream science and authority.

Conclusion

The claim that "the Earth is flat" is False. The overwhelming body of scientific evidence, historical observations, and modern technology supports the conclusion that the Earth is a sphere. The persistence of flat Earth beliefs is largely rooted in conspiracy theories and a misunderstanding of scientific principles rather than factual evidence.