Scientists from the National Observatory’s “PLEIADES” initiative analyzed the measurements, and the result was indisputable. In the “Latitude – Shadow Length” chart, the points recorded by the schools (red circles) and the ships (yellow diamonds) “fell” with remarkable precision onto the theoretical blue curve predicted by the Earth’s sphericity.
“Science has moved from theory to practice—simultaneously, on land and at sea,” said the Director of the Eugenides Foundation, Mr. Ioannis Gkolias. "The experiment showed that knowledge is not abstract, but rather an open process of observation and critical thinking." "We stand by young people, fostering their confidence that they can help create a better world through knowledge and imagination".
At a time when conspiracy theories and pseudoscience are gaining ground online, the initiative served as a powerful “shot” of rationality. Professor Manolis Pleiades, Science and Technology Advisor to the Eugenides Foundation, Professor of Astrophysics at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and former President of the National Observatory of Athens, emphasized:
"Our goal was to prove the sphericity of the Earth without making any initial assumptions about its shape." If it is spherical, then the lengths of the shadows, depending on the latitude of the measurement point, should form a characteristic curve, which no other possible shape of the Earth predicts. The clear confirmation of the curve serves as proof that the scientific method is the best defense against metaphysics and conspiracy theories. "Rationality is our compass."
Highlights from the live broadcast inside the Experiment Control Center:
- Live from the ocean:Sailors aboard ocean-going vessels sent their own signal, demonstrating that astronomy remains the “silent partner” of modern navigation.
- The students’ voice: Students from many schools shared the thrill of taking measurements amid the clouds, proving that science also requires perseverance.
- “Flat News”: Adriana Paraskevopoulou presented the “news” from a hypothetical flat world with biting satire, highlighting the absurdity of the Flat Earthers.
- International Perspective: Astrophysicist Nikos Prantzos from France linked the experiment to historical examples of astronomical measurements made by the ancient Greeks, such as the distance between the Earth and the Moon, the Moon’s diameter, and others.
- Fake news and science: The journalists from *To Vima* Ioanna Soufleri and Giorgos Polymeneas spoke from their own experience about the need for a critical approach to information and protection against misinformation.
