Flat Earth vs globe: what you can check yourself
Check it yourself · Updated
You can compare a flat Earth model with the globe by checking a few things yourself: where the Sun is, how big it looks, whether it sets, which stars you see in the south, and how far places are. FlatAtlas calculates what the Flat Earth Society model predicts for each and what astronomy predicts, so you can compare both with what you see.
1. Where the Sun is right now
Pick your place in FlatAtlas and open “Check it in the sky”. It shows the direction and angle where the Flat Earth Society model puts the Sun, 4,800 km above the map, next to the direction and angle from astronomy. Then go outside and look.
2. How big the Sun looks
In the model, a 32-mile Sun gets smaller as it moves away: about 0.6° wide overhead and, seen from Bratislava, about 0.12° at the farthest point of the map. Astronomy gives about 0.5° all day. The Flat Earth Wiki explains a Sun that does not shrink by magnification at sunset, without figures. You can check its size yourself with a solar filter or by photographing the Sun at the same zoom at noon and before sunset.
3. Whether the Sun sets
By Rowbotham’s perspective rule (1′), a Sun 4,800 km up would stay at least 11° above the horizon from Bratislava. Astronomy has it set below the horizon every evening. See why does the Sun set on a flat Earth for 10 cities.
4. Which stars you see in the south
From Australia, South America and South Africa, people see the Southern Cross in the southern part of the sky at night. On the flat Earth map, “south” points away from the centre, which is a different direction for each of these places. Ask someone there where they see it.
5. How far places are in the south
On the flat Earth map, distances in the southern hemisphere are longer than on the globe, more than three times at 45° S. Compare the distance with the scheduled flight time of a direct flight you know, such as Sydney to Santiago. See how distances change on the flat Earth map.
Summary
| What to check | Flat Earth model (FES, from Bratislava) | Astronomy |
|---|---|---|
| Sun’s position now | calculated from the map and 4,800 km height | calculated by Astronomy Engine |
| Sun’s apparent size | 0.6° overhead, smaller farther away (the FES wiki adds magnification at sunset) | about 0.5° all day |
| Lowest the Sun can go (1′ rule) | at least 11° above the horizon | sets below the horizon |
| Southern Cross | “south” is a different direction for each place | in the southern sky from all three |
| 1° of longitude at 45° S | 262 km | 79 km |
FlatAtlas calculates both columns; it does not decide which is right. The point is that you look for yourself.
Frequently asked questions
How can I test if the Earth is flat?
Check things both models predict differently: where the Sun is and how big it looks through the day, whether it sets, which stars are in the south from different continents, and distances in the southern hemisphere. FlatAtlas shows the numbers for your place.
Does FlatAtlas say the Earth is flat or round?
Neither. It shows what published flat Earth models predict and what astronomy predicts, side by side, so you can compare them with what you see.
Which flat Earth model does FlatAtlas use?
The Flat Earth Society heights (Sun and Moon about 3,000 miles) and Samuel Rowbotham’s from 1881 (Sun 700 miles), or your own heights.