In a surprising turn of events, a well-known flat-earther conceded that his long-held conspiracy theory was incorrect after embarking on a 9,000-mile journey to Antarctica.
YouTuber Jeran Campanella traveled to the southernmost continent to witness a 24-hour sun - a phenomenon that would be impossible if the Earth were flat.
The journey, which cost a staggering $37,700, took Campanella from Salinas, California, to Antarctica. Upon witnessing the sun circle the sky without setting, Campanella confessed to his followers that he had been wrong, acknowledging the Earth's true round shape... mostly, anyway.
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"Sometimes you are wrong in life. I thought there was no 24-hour sun. In fact, I was pretty sure of it," admitted Campanella, a prominent flat Earther and content creator.
The trip was filmed for a live-streamed broadcast, which showcased breathtaking footage of the Antarctic landscape and the sun's unending path above the icy horizon, according to the Sun.
"I realize that I'll be called a shill for just saying that and you know what, if you're a shill for being honest so be it - I honestly believed there was no 24-hour sun... I honestly now believe there is. That's it," added Campanella.
Campanella still didn't fully embrace the globe Earth model: “I won’t say the Earth is a perfect sphere,” then said, after first admitting he was wrong.
Humans have known for centuries that the Earth is a globe, and ancient Greek philosophers proved this concept over 2,000 years ago.
The expedition was part of the Final Experiment project, organized by Colorado pastor Will Duffy, who "hopes to end the debate over the shape of the Earth."
He arranged an expedition in which four flat Earthers and four "globe Earthers" were flown to Antarctica to witness the continent's midnight Sun. Antarctica's Midnight Sun is one of many proofs that the Earth is spherical. It can only occur on a tilted and rotating sphere, and the axial tilt during summer positions the South Pole to face the Sun continuously for 24 hours.
Flat Earthers often claim that the Antarctic Treaty of 1959 prevents civilians from visiting the southernmost continent in an attempt to hide the true shape of planet Earth. However, Pastor Duffy wanted to demonstrate that this wasn't the case.
"I created The Final Experiment to end this debate, once and for all. After we go to Antarctica, no one has to waste any more time debating the shape of the Earth," Duffy declared in a statement. "This is, of course, assuming that the entire "experiment" isn't just an elaborate prank designed to fool us 'globe Earthers.' It seems highly unlikely, but we'll keep you posted if anything changes – not that we're trying to sound conspiratorial or paranoid."
While most flat earthers didn't see the experience as definitive proof of a spherical Earth, they did acknowledge the existence of the 24-hour Sun in Antarctica. This phenomenon significantly challenges most flat Earth theories.
"What does it mean? You'll have to figure it out. To me, it means that the AE [Azimuthal equidistant] map no longer works, but that doesn’t mean that I’m right," Campanella stated.
Others were more doubtful about the implications of the 24-hour Sun, arguing that it doesn't eliminate the possibility of a flat Earth. While Campanella accepted the truth, fellow flat earther Austin Witsit remained unconvinced and resistant to accepting the evidence.
"I know a lot of people want to know what my take is in terms of how does i Austin Whitsitt, a well-known flat Earther, hinted at some intriguing findings from the trip. "I have seen a physical demonstration that could show this working, but I do think that some of the data we're going to have from this trip will help to clarify if that is what's actually happening," he said.
He stated: "I don’t think it falsifies plane [flat] Earth, I don’t think it proves a globe – I think it’s a singular data point."
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