We’ve been talking about it for a long time, but in reality things aren’t exactly like that. Let’s see why.
The Great Wall of Chinaone of the most impressive feats of engineering ever built by man, is often described as the only structure visible from space. This statement has become , but it is only partially accurate.
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With a length of more than 21,000 kilometers, the Great Wall was built starting in the 3rd century BC to protect the Chinese Empire from nomadic invaders. Although impressive in its scope, the work has an average width of around 6-7 metres, making it quite thin when viewed from great distances.
One of the most widespread myths
One of the most widespread myths is that the Wall is visible to the naked eye from spacein particular . However, astronauts have refuted this claim. NASA clarified that, despite being very long, the Wall is built with natural materials, such as earth and stone, which blend in with the surrounding landscape. This makes it difficult to distinguish without the use of specialized optical instruments.
Where can you see the Great Wall of China?
From the point of view, at around 160-500 kilometers altitude, it could be visible with the aid of a telescope or in particularly favorable conditions of light and visibility, but it is not easily identifiable with the naked eye. Astronauts at the International Space Station, which orbits about 400 kilometers above Earth, have reported that it is possible to see large cities and other landscape features, but not the Great Wall without specific instruments.
No, the Great Wall cannot be seen from space
No, the Wall is not visible from space with the naked eye, on the contrary. This myth, while fascinating, does not stand up to scientific verification. However, it remains an extraordinary work, representative of the greatness and ingenuity of ancient China.
