Have you ever stopped to think about the shape of our planet? The vast majority of scientists agree that Earth is a spheroid. However, there’s a small but dedicated group of people who believe the Earth is flat. Welcome to the world of flat Earth theories, where common knowledge is challenged and different explanations are welcomed. Here, we explore ten wild flat Earth theories that go against what most people believe.
So, is the Earth flat or round? Let’s see what you think.
Related:10 Bizarre Ways The Moon Affects Life On Earth
The Ancient Disc Theory: A Flat Earth in Ancient Texts
Ancient civilizations left writings and art that some flat Earth believers interpret as proof of a flat Earth. They say that ancient groups, like the Egyptians and Mesopotamians, had deep knowledge about the true shape of the planet. They showed it as a disc floating in space.
According to these theorists, ancient Egyptian records describe the world as a disc in the ocean with the sky above it. These descriptions show a flat Earth view of the cosmos. Mesopotamian creation stories, such as the Sumerian story Gilgamesh, Enkidu, and the Netherworld, assume that the sky and earth were once together and then split apart.
Does it matter that these beliefs come from old ideas and myths, not from science? That’s up to you. Maybe they knew something we don’t.
The Conspiracy Theory: Is It a Global Deception?
Flat Earth believers think that the idea of a round Earth is a big lie. They say that governments, space agencies, and important people are behind it. According to this theory, these powerful groups change evidence, fake images, and silence anyone who disagrees. They do this to stay in control and hide the truth about our flat world.
According to Michael Marshall, a project director at the Good Thinking Society in the UK, believing in a flat Earth is like the “Rosetta Stone” of conspiracy theories. It’s the base that helps make sense of other conspiracy theories.
Flat Earth theorists also doubt the honesty of scientific groups, like NASA and well-known scientists. They think these groups are part of the lie and purposely spread wrong information about Earth’s shape.
In general, flat Earth theorists tend to be very skeptical. They question everything and look for other explanations for scientific facts. They often say that mainstream science is wrong and trust their own ideas and observations. But isn’t questioning current ideas part of science?
The Dome Theory: Are We Encased in a Celestial Dome?
Some flat Earth fans say that Earth is not only flat but also surrounded by a huge dome. They think this dome explains the sky and the stars, offering a real firmament as described in old religious texts.
Flat Earth theorists often point to bible verses to back up the idea of a dome over the Earth. They see verses like Genesis 1:6-7, which talk about a “vault” or “firmament” separating the waters above and below, as proof of a physical wall around the Earth.
Theorists often claim that powerful groups are hiding the dome. They say that this conspiracy is to control information and stop people from finding out the truth about Earth.
People supposedly believe that the firmament is a strong structure like a dome or a glass wall covering the flat Earth. This dome has different purposes, like explaining the sky, the sun, the moon, and the stars. They believe that the dome stops humans from reaching outer space.
In the end, it comes down to one question—did Neil Armstrong really make it to the moon?
The Gravitational Anomaly Theory: Is Gravity a Magic Trick?
Against what science says, flat Earth believers doubt the existence of gravity as we know it. They say that what we see as gravity, like things falling to Earth, can be explained by other forces or ideas. This questions a key part of physics.
Flat Earth theorists have different ideas about gravity, but their ideas aren’t supported by science or general agreement. Some flat Earth theorists say that gravity isn’t a real force but an illusion caused by Earth moving upward. They think that Earth is always moving upward at 32.2 feet per second squared (9.8 meters per second squared). This makes us feel gravity.
Some theorists say that gravity isn’t a basic force but is caused by how dense things are. They think that denser things sink while less dense things rise, making it seem like gravity. Many also say that the existence of gravity is part of a cover-up. They claim that governments are hiding the truth about gravity to stay in control and change information.
The Infinite Plane Theory: An Endless Flat Expanse
According to this theory, Earth isn’t just flat. It also goes on forever in all directions. Supporters say that the horizon looks curved because of how we see things and how the air bends light. They claim that going beyond what we know would show new lands and places.
The Infinite Plane Theory says that if Earth is flat, it must be seen as endless until we prove otherwise. This means that Earth has no edges and goes on forever in all directions. Some flat Earth theorists use bible verses to support the idea of an endless Earth. They see verses like Job 38:18, which mentions the “breadth of the Earth,” as proof of an Earth with no edges. Many people disagree with this theory, but if you’ve ever driven through Iowa, you’ll start to get what an “infinite plane” Earth would be like.
The Alternative Space Theory: A Different Perspective on Space
Flat Earth believers have a different idea of space. They say that space isn’t just empty but a big plane with other stars moving around the Earth. This theory questions how we generally see the universe and how everything is connected.
One big part of the Alternative Space Theory is changed gravity theories. These theories try to change or add to Einstein’s theory of general relativity. They explain things like the universe growing faster without needing dark energy or dark matter. One example of a changed gravity theory is Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND), which says that the rules of gravity change when things move slowly.
Another part of Alternative Space is the idea of repeating universe theories. These theories say that the universe goes through cycles of growing and shrinking. Each cycle starts with a “big bounce” instead of a single Big Bang event. These theories try to answer what happened before the Big Bang and offer a different explanation for how the universe started and changed.
Multiverse theories are also seen as part of the Alternative Space Theory. These theories say that there are many universes or a “multiverse” beyond what we can see. They say that our universe is just one of many with different rules and qualities.
The Sun and Moon Theory: A Unique Celestial Dance
Flat Earth believers question the common explanation of the sun and moon as faraway objects. They say they are much closer to Earth and move in a circle above the flat plane. This different idea challenges our understanding of how things move in space.
According to this theory, the sun and moon are only a few thousand miles away from Earth and are much smaller than science says. Flat Earth theorists also think the sun and moon are flat disks instead of round objects. They say this explains why they both look the same size in the sky.
Theorists also believe that our moon makes its own light, not from the sun. They say this explains why the moon looks like it’s shining and why the sun looks brighter than it should be. Do you think the moon can make its own light?
The Gravity-Defying Theory: A World without Falling Objects
One strange flat Earth theory says that things don’t fall because of gravity. Instead, they feel an upward force called “Universal Acceleration.” This idea goes against Newton’s laws of motion and needs a strange way of seeing the forces on things in our daily lives.
Some flat Earth theorists say that gravity isn’t a basic force. They explain it with the ideas of density and buoyancy. They think that denser things sink while less dense things rise, making it look like gravity is pulling things down. Others say that gravity is actually an electromagnetic force, not a basic force of nature. They say that Earth has a magnetic field that affects things, making them move closer or further away.
The Perspective and Horizon Theory: Visual Tricks of a Flat Earth
Flat Earth theorists say that we think the horizon is curved and that ships disappear because of how we see things, not because the Earth is curved. They say that perspective, the weather, and how well we can see create the illusion of a curved horizon.
According to them, perspective depends on how light works and how we see things. Theorists also disagree that the horizon is caused by Earth’s curve. The horizon looks flat because the Earth is flat. They believe that the horizon is a trick of the eye.
The Alternative GPS Theory: Navigating a Flat Earth
Flat Earth supporters doubt how accurate the Global Positioning System (GPS) is and whether it really uses satellites. They have other ideas about how GPS works, like using towers on the ground or hidden ways. They claim that GPS works locally, not globally. They believe that cell phone towers help send these signals and are used to control where people go.
Some flat Earth theorists say that GPS is a lie and doesn’t work at all. However, most scientists agree that GPS is a reliable system that uses satellite signals to find location and time.
Will you be deleting Google Maps and going back to a traditional atlas?
What do you think about these flat Earth theories? Let us know in the comments below!
