Road Runner Cartoons: The Great Wall Of China

1) What is the misconception you are exploring?

I decided to explore the misconception that the Great Wall of China can be seen from space. I was recently surprised to learn about this along with the fact that the Great Wall is not just one wall, it is a series of several walls, and it is not continuous.

2) What was it that prompted the misconception in the first place?

This is something that I had believed ever since I was a child. I can remember a specific Road Runner cartoon where Wile E. Coyote was shot into space and the cartoonists emphasized the appearance of the Great Wall in China. This was probably one of my first experiences with this misconception and it was further bolstered by the spread and repetition throughout school. Although it was …show more content…
It makes no difference to my life if the Great Wall of China can be seen from space or if it cannot. Second, this fact earned urban legend status where it was so commonly believed that it became real.

4) What contributed to a change in thinking of this misconception?

Technology provided us with more data and experience with space exploration. With more information, we saw that some people started to debunk this myth. This includes first hand accounts from credible sources, such as astronauts that have been in space, and scientists who battle the misconceptions regularly.

5) How do you know the current "truth" about the misconception is "more true" than the previous version of the story?

First, I have a friend who works for SETI at NASA Ames in Mountain View, California. Second, I recently watched a documentary from National Geographic. One of the first facts that was mentioned was that the Great Wall was too small to be seen from space without magnification. By analyzing video and photos of the wall, it is easy to determine that it is smaller than other structures like shopping malls or airports.

6) What in your life changed after clarifying your

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