Fact Check: The earth is round

Fact-Check Article: "The Earth is Round"

What We Know

The claim that "the Earth is round" is supported by a wealth of scientific evidence and historical observations. Ancient civilizations, such as the Greeks and Egyptians, deduced the Earth's roundness through observations of celestial bodies and the way shadows were cast in different locations (NASA). For example, during lunar eclipses, the Earth's shadow on the Moon is always round, which can only occur if the Earth is spherical (Wikipedia).

In modern times, satellite imagery and space exploration have provided direct visual evidence of the Earth's shape. Astronauts have captured images of Earth from space, clearly showing its spherical form (NASA). Additionally, scientific principles, such as the behavior of gravity, indicate that a sphere is the only shape that can be maintained by gravitational forces acting uniformly in all directions (UNLV).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the Earth's roundness is robust and comes from multiple reliable sources. NASA, a leading authority in space exploration, has consistently provided data and imagery that affirm the spherical nature of the Earth. Their expert commentary highlights historical observations and modern scientific methods that validate this claim (NASA).

The UNLV study further elaborates on the scientific rationale behind the Earth's shape, explaining that gravity's behavior necessitates a spherical form. This explanation is grounded in physics and is widely accepted in the scientific community (UNLV).

Moreover, empirical observations, such as the curvature of the Earth seen from high altitudes and the inability to see certain stars from different hemispheres, provide additional evidence that contradicts the flat Earth theory (Wikipedia).

While some sources, such as documentaries promoting the flat Earth theory, may present alternative views, they often lack scientific backing and rely on anecdotal evidence, making them less credible compared to established scientific research.

Conclusion

The claim that "the Earth is round" is True. The overwhelming scientific evidence, historical observations, and expert consensus support this assertion. From ancient observations to modern satellite imagery, all credible sources affirm the spherical shape of our planet, making the claim irrefutable.

Sources

1. How Do We Know the Earth Isn't Flat? We Asked a NASA Expert
2. Round Earth Clues: How Science Proves that our Home is a Globe
3. 90 Years of Our Changing Views of Earth
4. How Do We Know the Earth Is Round?
5. Empirical evidence for the spherical shape of Earth
6. 7 ways to prove the earth is round - Cell Mentor
7. 5 ways we can prove Earth is round, not flat - BBC Sky at Night
8. 7 Ways to Prove the Earth Is Round (Without Launching a Satellite)