Fact Check: The Great Wall of China is visible from space

What We Know

The claim that the Great Wall of China is visible from space has been a popular myth for decades. This belief was notably challenged by Chinese astronaut Yang Liwei, who stated in 2003 that he could not see the Great Wall during his spaceflight. His assertion contradicted earlier claims that the Wall was visible from space, leading to a resurgence of interest in the topic (López-Gil, 2008).

Further supporting this, NASA has confirmed that the Great Wall is not visible from the Moon and is difficult to see from low Earth orbit without the aid of powerful lenses (NASA, 2009). The dimensions of the Great Wall, which is typically less than 6 meters wide, make it nearly impossible to discern from such distances due to the limitations of human vision (Sky at Night Magazine, 2023).

Analysis

The myth of the Great Wall's visibility from space has been debunked by multiple credible sources. For instance, astronauts who have traveled to space have consistently reported that no man-made structures, including the Great Wall, are visible to the naked eye from orbit or the Moon. Apollo 12 astronaut Alan Bean famously remarked that from the Moon, "the only thing you can see is a beautiful sphere" of Earth, devoid of any visible man-made objects (Britannica, 2023).

Scientific studies have also examined the visual acuity required to see objects from space. The human eye's limitations mean that even under optimal conditions, the Great Wall would not be visible without optical aids. The visual acuity required to see the Wall from a distance of 160 kilometers would exceed that of even the best human eyesight (López-Gil, 2008).

Moreover, a recent fact-checking article reiterated that the claim is false, emphasizing that the Wall's dimensions and the limitations of human vision render it invisible from space without the use of telescopes or zoom lenses (Truth or Fake, 2023). Other sources, such as the Space Centre, also highlight that the myth has persisted since at least 1938, despite a lack of empirical evidence to support it (Space Centre, 2023).

While some images of the Great Wall have been captured from space, such as those taken by astronauts aboard the International Space Station, these images were obtained using high-powered cameras, not the naked eye (Scientific American, 2024).

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The claim that the Great Wall of China is visible from space is not supported by scientific evidence or firsthand accounts from astronauts. The limitations of human vision, combined with the Wall's dimensions, make it impossible to see without optical aids. This myth has been thoroughly debunked by credible sources and remains a popular misconception.