FACT CHECK #K_XKWCKE

WHAT WE FOUND

It is a very popular idea, but the claim that the Great Wall of China is visible from space is actually FALSE 48. Despite being a long-held common belief, astronauts who have actually been to space have proven this to be a myth 38. The primary reason is that the wall is relatively thin and its color is very similar to the surrounding soil and rocks, making it nearly impossible to distinguish from its environment 56. Scientific studies even suggest that the limitations of the human eye make it physically impossible to see at such a distance without help 2. While you might be able to see it using high-powered lenses or specialized equipment from low Earth orbit, it is definitely not visible to the naked eye and certainly cannot be seen from the moon 167.

SOURCES

1. 1 · scientificamerican.comWEB
   No, You Can't See the Great Wall of China from Space

   TIER B

2. 2 · pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govACADEMIC
   Is it Really Possible to See the Great Wall of China from Space ...

   TIER A

3. 3 · snopes.comFACT-CHECKER
   Is the Great Wall of China Visible from the Moon?

   TIER A

4. 4 · britannica.comWEB
   Can you see the Great Wall of China from space?

   TIER B

5. 5 · sciencefocus.comACADEMIC
   Is the Great Wall of China really visible from space?

   TIER A

6. 6 · nasa.govACADEMIC
   Great Wall

   TIER A

7. 7 · archaeology-travel.comWEB
   Can You See the Great Wall of China from Space?

   TIER B

8. 8 · ripleys.comWEB
   Can You See the Great Wall of China From Space?

   TIER B

THE READING