ClassX Video Lessons 3 scientists school flat Earthers on the evidence | Neil deGrasse Tyson, Bill Nye, Michelle Thaller
For a long time, people have wondered if the Earth is flat or round. Recently, famous scientists like Bill Nye, Michelle Thaller, and Neil deGrasse Tyson talked about why the Earth is definitely round. Let’s dive into what they said and the cool evidence that proves our planet is a sphere!
Bill Nye starts by saying it simply: the Earth is round. Michelle Thaller adds that there’s so much proof of this that it’s hard to know where to start!
One easy way to see the Earth’s curve is by watching boats. As a boat sails away on the ocean, the bottom part disappears first, leaving just the top visible. If the Earth were flat, you’d see the whole boat the entire time, just smaller.
Bill Nye suggests looking around to understand Earth’s shape. For example, if you’re on the East Coast of North America, you can’t see Spain because of the Earth’s curve. Even if you climb a mountain, you can’t see across the globe. This is all because the Earth is round!
Michelle Thaller talks about lunar eclipses as another proof. During these events, the Earth casts a shadow on the moon, and it’s always curved. This can only happen if the Earth is a sphere. Even ancient scientists noticed this!
Bill Nye mentions photos from space that show Earth is round. It’s really hard to fake these pictures because space missions have tons of paperwork and planning. Organizations like NASA would find it too expensive and complicated to make fake images.
When you’re on a ship, how far you can see depends on how high up you are. The higher you are, the farther you can see, which makes sense if the Earth is round.
Michelle Thaller points out that all the planets we see, like Saturn and Jupiter, are round. So, why would Earth be any different? This makes us think more about our planet’s shape.
Neil deGrasse Tyson warns about arguing over facts like the Earth’s shape. He says it’s better to debate things that are opinions, like what to do about climate change, rather than things we know are true.
The talk with Nye, Thaller, and Tyson shows why it’s important to understand science and think critically. There’s a lot of evidence that the Earth is round, from what we see to photos from space. As we deal with misinformation, it’s important to remember that science tells us the Earth is indeed round!
Head to a nearby body of water with a pair of binoculars. Watch boats as they sail away and observe how the bottom part disappears first. Record your observations and discuss why this happens if the Earth is round.
Find a high vantage point, like a hill or a tall building. Use a compass to identify a distant landmark. Discuss why you can’t see beyond the horizon and how this supports the idea of a round Earth.
Create a model of the Earth, moon, and sun using balls and a flashlight. Simulate a lunar eclipse and observe the shadow cast on the moon. Draw the shadow and explain why it is curved, reinforcing the Earth’s spherical shape.
Look at photos of Earth taken from space. Discuss the features you see and why these images are reliable evidence of Earth’s round shape. Consider the challenges of faking such images and the credibility of space agencies.
Research the shapes of other planets in our solar system. Create a poster comparing these planets to Earth. Discuss why all these planets, including Earth, are round and what forces contribute to their shapes.
Earth – The third planet from the Sun, which is our home and the only known planet to support life. – Scientists study the Earth’s atmosphere to understand climate change.
Round – Having a shape like a circle or sphere, often used to describe the shape of planets. – The round shape of the Earth was proven by observing the way ships disappear over the horizon.
Evidence – Information or data that supports a conclusion or theory. – Astronomers use evidence from telescopes to learn more about distant galaxies.
Shadow – A dark area or shape produced by an object coming between rays of light and a surface. – During a solar eclipse, the Moon casts a shadow on the Earth.
Lunar – Relating to the Moon. – The lunar surface is covered with craters from meteor impacts.
Space – The vast, seemingly infinite area beyond Earth’s atmosphere where stars and planets exist. – Astronauts travel to space to conduct experiments on the International Space Station.
Photos – Images captured using a camera, often used in astronomy to study celestial objects. – The Hubble Space Telescope takes photos of distant galaxies to help scientists understand the universe.
Planets – Celestial bodies orbiting a star, like the Sun, that are large enough to be rounded by their own gravity. – There are eight planets in our solar system, each with unique characteristics.
Navigation – The process of accurately determining one’s position and planning a route, often used in space travel. – Spacecraft use advanced navigation systems to travel to distant planets.
Misinformation – False or inaccurate information, especially that which is spread deliberately. – Scientists work to correct misinformation about space exploration to educate the public.
