Fact-check analysisVerified as of July 30, 2025Curated by FactVerify
True

The Earth is round

The Earth is round, more precisely an oblate spheroid, a fact supported by extensive scientific evidence and observations.

FactVerify

FactVerify

Source: factverify.com

At a glance

Key Evidence

Verified July 30, 2025
The reporting

What the Evidence Shows

The claim that 'The Earth is round' is accurate but requires clarification. Scientific consensus and direct observations from space confirm that the Earth is not a perfect sphere but an oblate spheroid, slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator due to its rotation. This shape has been understood since ancient Greek times through astronomical observations and has been confirmed by modern satellite imagery and measurements.

The Earth's roundness explains phenomena such as the way shadows change with latitude, the horizon's curvature, and the behavior of gravity. While everyday experience may make the Earth appear flat locally, global measurements and space-based observations provide conclusive evidence of its round shape.

Primary trail

Verified Sources10

How Do We Know the Earth Isn't Flat? We Asked a NASA Expert: Episode 53

nasa.gov
Open source

How Do We Know the Earth Is Round?

askanearthspacescientist.asu.edu
Open source
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