Fact-Check Article: "The Earth is flat"
What We Know
The claim that "the Earth is flat" contradicts centuries of scientific evidence and observation. Historical figures like the Greeks and Egyptians recognized the Earth's roundness through observations of celestial movements and the way shadows behaved in different locations, concluding that the Earth must be spherical to account for these phenomena (NASA Expert).
In modern times, satellite imagery and data from various space missions have provided clear visual evidence of the Earth's round shape. For instance, NASA's Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) have captured images showing the Earth as a sphere, albeit slightly distorted into an ellipsoid due to its rotation (NOAA).
Scientific disciplines such as geodesy, which measures and monitors the Earth's shape and gravitational field, further confirm that the Earth is not flat but rather a complex, dynamic shape that changes over time due to various geological processes (NOAA Geodesy).
Analysis
The belief in a flat Earth persists despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary. A growing number of individuals, particularly among younger demographics, are reportedly skeptical of the Earth's roundness, as highlighted by a YouGov poll indicating that only about two-thirds of Americans aged 18 to 24 believe in a spherical Earth (Pursuit). This skepticism is often fueled by social media and the proliferation of conspiracy theories, which can distort scientific understanding and promote misinformation (Pursuit).
While some sources, such as Wikipedia, provide a general overview of the flat Earth concept as an archaic belief, they also emphasize that it has been scientifically disproven (Wikipedia - Flat Earth). Furthermore, empirical evidence supporting the Earth's spherical shape is abundant, ranging from observations made during flights to satellite imagery, which collectively reinforce the scientific consensus (Wikipedia - Empirical Evidence).
The reliability of the sources discussing the flat Earth theory varies. Scientific organizations like NASA and NOAA provide credible, research-backed information, while articles discussing the flat Earth belief often analyze the psychological and social factors contributing to its persistence, which can be valuable for understanding the phenomenon but may not directly address the scientific facts.
Conclusion
The claim that "the Earth is flat" is False. The overwhelming body of scientific evidence, historical observations, and modern technological advancements all confirm that the Earth is a sphere, albeit with an ellipsoidal shape due to its rotation. The persistence of flat Earth beliefs can be attributed to misinformation and social factors rather than any legitimate scientific basis.
