Well, well, well.
A group of Flat Earthers ventured to Antarctica with the ambitious goal of resolving the debate over the Earth’s shape once and for all. Spearheaded by Will Duffy, a pastor from Colorado, the expedition—aptly named The Final Experiment—brought together both Flat Earth believers and proponents of a spherical Earth. The highlight of their journey? Witnessing the Midnight Sun over the icy continent, a phenomenon long considered definitive evidence of Earth’s spherical nature.
While the experience didn’t convert every skeptic, it did challenge some deeply held beliefs, leaving participants grappling with the implications of what they saw, IFLscience explains.
The Midnight Sun: Nature’s Proof of Earth’s Shape
The Midnight Sun in Antarctica occurs during the Southern Hemisphere’s summer when the South Pole remains in continuous sunlight for 24 hours. This natural occurrence is only possible on a tilted, rotating sphere. On a flat plane, such a phenomenon would defy the laws of physics.
Flat Earthers often claim that civilians are prohibited from exploring Antarctica due to the Antarctic Treaty of 1959, asserting that this is part of a larger effort to conceal the “truth” about Earth’s shape. However, Duffy sought to challenge these claims by leading an expedition to the southernmost continent, allowing skeptics to witness its unique features firsthand.
“I created The Final Experiment to end this debate, once and for all,” Duffy stated. “After we go to Antarctica, no one has to waste any more time debating the shape of the Earth.”
Facing Reality: Shifting Beliefs Among Skeptics
Although not all participants were fully convinced, some were forced to reconsider their views. Jeran Campanella, a prominent Flat Earther, openly admitted his surprise at seeing the Midnight Sun.
“Sometimes you are wrong in life. I thought there was no 24-hour sun. In fact, I was pretty sure of it,” Campanella confessed. “I now believe there is. That’s it.”
The phenomenon posed significant challenges to the widely used Azimuthal Equidistant (AE) map, which many Flat Earthers rely on to model their theories. Yet, Campanella hesitated to abandon his worldview completely.
Others, like Austin Whitsitt, remained skeptical, suggesting alternative explanations for the observed phenomena. “I think the data we gathered will help clarify what’s actually happening,” Whitsitt stated, hinting at potential revelations in the future.
For those intrigued by the idea of witnessing Earth’s spherical wonders firsthand, a trip to Antarctica isn’t cheap—participants reportedly spent $31,495 on their flights. However, there are more affordable ways to observe evidence of Earth’s curvature, such as tracking the disappearance of ships on the horizon or watching a lunar eclipse.
And while this Antarctic journey may not have fully converted every skeptic, it underscored the importance of questioning assumptions and seeking firsthand evidence. For some, the expedition brought them closer to understanding the truth, proving that exploration often leads to unexpected discoveries.
