FACT CHECK #VVYPIR-U

WHAT WE FOUND

The claim that the Earth is flat is false and is directly contradicted by centuries of scientific observation and modern space-based imagery 1 3. High-credibility sources, including NASA, confirm that the Earth is an oblate spheroid, a fact proven by satellite photos and the ability of ships to circumnavigate the globe 2 3. Ancient Greek mathematicians established the Earth's sphericity as early as 500 BCE by observing curved shadows during lunar eclipses and shifting star positions 7 11. Contemporary flat-Earth beliefs are characterized as conspiracy-driven movements that reject established scientific facts 3 9. Alleged evidence for a flat Earth, such as the visibility of distant skylines over water, is scientifically attributed to atmospheric refraction caused by temperature gradients 12. Additionally, historical research indicates that the idea of medieval Europeans believing in a flat Earth is a myth popularized long after the period 4 10. While isolated articles may occasionally present contrarian views, the overwhelming consensus of government agencies, academic institutions, and planetary scientists is that the Earth is round 1 2 8 11.

SOURCES

1. 1 · usatoday.comFACT-CHECKER
   Fact check roundup: Debunking the flawed science behind flat Earth claims

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2. 2 · nasa.govACADEMIC
   How Do We Know the Earth Isn't Flat? We Asked a NASA Expert: Episode 53 - NASA

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3. 3 · factually.coFACT-CHECKER
   Is the Earth Flat? A Clear, Evidence-Based Answer

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4. 4 · guides.loc.govACADEMIC
   Journal Articles - The Flat Earth and its Advocates: A List of References - Research Guides at Library of Congress

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5. 5 · pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govACADEMIC
   The Flat Earth Theory: is Evidence-Based Physiotherapy a ...

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6. 6 · theguardian.comACADEMIC
   Why the Earth is actually 100% flat | Science | The Guardian

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7. 7 · ebsco.comACADEMIC
   Flat earth | Science | Research Starters | EBSCOhost

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8. 8 · thinkmagazine.mtACADEMIC
   New Research Proves the Earth is Flat – THINK Magazine

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9. 9 · unlv.eduACADEMIC
   Round Earth Clues: How Science Proves that our Home is a Globe | News Center | UNLV

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10. 10 · en.wikipedia.orgWEB
    Flat Earth - Wikipedia

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11. 11 · britannica.comWEB
    Flat Earth | Theory, Model, Meaning, & Facts | Britannica

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12. 12 · physicsworld.comWEB
    Fighting flat-Earth theory – Physics World

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