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Is the Great Wall of China visible from space or is that just a myth?

Ova Mussettini

The Great Wall of China is undoubtedly one of the greatest wonders of the world and a source of fascination for many people around the globe. And for years, one of the most popular beliefs about this remarkable structure has been that it can be seen from space. But is this just a myth, or is there some truth to this claim?

Let's start by clarifying what we mean by "space." If we're talking about low Earth orbit, which is where most satellites are located, then the answer is a resounding no. While the Great Wall is an impressive feat of engineering, it simply isn't large enough to be seen from that distance. Even if you had a pair of binoculars powerful enough to spot it, you'd still need to know exactly where to look to have any hope of finding it.

But what about higher altitudes? Could you see the Great Wall from the Moon, for example, or from other planets in our solar system? The answer is a bit more complicated here, but the short version is still "no." While some astronauts have claimed to have seen the wall from space, these sightings are often embellished or misremembered. The truth is that the Great Wall is simply too small and too similar in color to its surroundings to be visible from that kind of distance.

So where did this myth even come from? It's hard to say for sure, but it's likely a combination of factors. For one thing, the Great Wall is an awe-inspiring structure that stretches for thousands of miles across the Chinese countryside. It's easy to see how someone might assume that such a massive construction project would be visible from almost anywhere. Additionally, there have been a few cases where astronauts have taken photographs of the wall from space, but these are often heavily zoomed-in and don't capture the whole structure.

In the end, it's important to remember that the Great Wall of China is no less amazing just because it can't be seen from space. Whether you're standing at the base of one of its watchtowers or admiring it from afar, this incredible feat of human ingenuity is sure to leave you in awe. And who knows? Maybe one day we'll discover a new way to observe our planet that will finally allow us to glimpse this iconic landmark from space. But for now, we'll just have to admire it from a little closer to home.