Surprisingly, several debates have been proven by science, yet the general public still argues about them. For example, some people believe in science while others believe in a flat earth. Recently, an astronaut shared a video of his time in space, proving the earth is round.
A Round Vs. Flat Earth
Spacemandu, a TikTok account, regularly shows video clips of life in space. A recent clip shows an astronaut waving to the camera before flipping it around to reveal a round earth, proving, we don’t live on a flat earth. “Someone said Earth was flat,” the video was captioned.
Further Proof
This example isn’t the only proof that we don’t live on a flat earth. Rather, NASA has been tracking and archiving images of Earth from space for around 2 decades. One example came in 2015 after NASA shared a stunning photo of Earth, in which it resembles a blue and white swirled ball. The Deep Space Climate Observatory satellite captured an image of an “entire sunlit side” from “one million miles away.”
DSCOVR Disproves Flat Earth Theory
“This first DSCOVR image of our planet demonstrates the unique and important benefits of Earth observation from space. As a former astronaut who’s been privileged to view the Earth from orbit, I want everyone to be able to see and appreciate our planet as an integrated, interacting system,” said Charlie Bolden. “DSCOVR’s observations of Earth, as well as its measurements and early warnings of space weather events caused by the sun, will help every person to monitor the ever-changing Earth, and to understand how our planet fits into its neighborhood in the solar system.”
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Another Visual Aid
Meanwhile, the SAGE III, “provides an ongoing record of Earth’s upper atmospheric water vapor, aerosol, and ozone – which make up the protective “sunscreen” layer for the planet.” This instrument views the earth from “a side angle, capturing a similar view of the atmosphere on its edge as someone watching the sunset from the ground.” Fortunately, from the side angle, these images provide another example of evidence against the flat earth theory.
Invaluable Data
Marilee Roell, a science manager, explained the continuation of the SAGE III observations has been invaluable in tracking important data such as weather patterns and climate changes. “It’s one of the biggest success stories of science informing policy,” she said. “And not only is this a premier science instrument, but it’s also on the International Space Station—a crewed platform. We are kind of getting the best of both science and getting to be a part of the human spaceflight program in a peripheral way.”
Why People Still Believe Flat Earth Theory
Although people have known, or suspected, the earth is round, for centuries, Samuel Rowbotham proposed the “Flat Earth” Theory in the 19th century. He speculated that “zetetic astronomy” proved that Earth is a flat disc. Later, William Carpenter shared his ideas and further spread the misconception of a flat earth. Today, non-believers claim things like staged images or conspiracy theories are the logical explanation behind the belief that we live on a sphere rather than a flat earth.
Meanwhile, SUNY astrophysicist Paul M. Sutter shared his theory that those who believe in the flat earth theory have a “lack of trust” toward scientists and other experts.” By claiming that Earth is flat, people are really expressing a deep distrust of scientists and science itself,” he wrote in a piece for Space.Com.
Another Scientist Disproves the Flat Earth Theory
Professor Brian Cox, a renowned science expert, has also shared an explanation disproving the flat earth theory. “There is absolutely no basis at all for thinking the world is flat. Nobody in human history, as far as I know, has thought the world was flat,” he said of the idea. “The Greeks measured the radius of the Earth. I cannot conceive of a reason why anybody would think the world is flat.”
“The very simple fact we’ve taken pictures of it. I’m lost for words, it’s probably the most nonsensical suggestion that a thinking human being could possibly make,” he added. “It is drivel.”
Amazingly, people are still divided regarding the flat earth theory. However, it’s not wholly surprising as people, particularly, with limited resources and education, have little understanding of the work, schooling, or research that is required to be a scientist or work in other “ground-breaking” professions.