China Wall...seen from space??

China Wall...seen from space??
Jan 26, 2006 19:19
JASNA Points: Join Date: Jan 26, 2006 Status: offline	ok...I'm really going nuts here. For decades...my understanding was that the Great Wall of China could be seen from the space. I'm not talking about being seen from the Moon...but space...kind of closer to the Earth. Just yesterday, I watched the learning channel on tv and found out that all that info has been faulse. Can anybody, please, tell me what's the truth here?? Can the Great Wall of China be seen from the space...or not? Thank you all. Confused

Jan 26, 2006 19:19

JASNA
Points:
Join Date: Jan 26, 2006
Status: offline

ok...I'm really going nuts here.
For decades...my understanding was that the Great Wall of China could be seen from the space.
I'm not talking about being seen from the Moon...but space...kind of closer to the Earth.
Just yesterday, I watched the learning channel on tv and found out that all that info has been faulse.
Can anybody, please, tell me what's the truth here??
Can the Great Wall of China be seen from the space...or not?
Thank you all.
Confused

Jan 26, 2006 19:44	#1
MAY001 Points: Join Date: Sep 28, 2005 Status: Offline	The Chinese Taikongnaut said no. The USA astronaut said yes. who knows? we never been to outer space.

Feb 2, 2006 20:17	#2
CALIFORNIA Points: Join Date: Jul 22, 2005 Status: Offline	Hi,jasna, Actually,the Great Wall is far away from me:-)I only have been to Shanhaiguan(The head of the GW) before I came to Beijing. I don't think you can see it from the space!!!It is my imagination!

Feb 3, 2006 03:09

ALTUR
Points:
Join Date: Nov 9, 2005
Status: Offline

Like you Jasna, I have been curious about whether the Great Wall is visible from space. Although we have the Chinese and American astronauts saying differently, it is quite possible that they are both right/wrong.

This apparent anomaly is because they might be referring to two different aspects of the sighting. The Chinese might be referring to actually seeing the structure of the wall, whilst the Americans are referring to the visual line that the Wall creates.

From a long time in the air as a pilot, I have frequently noted that it is possible to 'see' a simple wire fence by the difference in appearance of the land on either side. Obviously, a single strand of wire would not be visible, but the effect of farming or other land uses can sometimes be easily seen. In fact, it often happens that actions long since forgotten can be detected this way, ie buried pipelines.

Thus, it is possible that the USA astronauts are observing differences in land appearance on either side of the Wall, whereas the Chinese astronauts are responding in the more literal sense of not actually 'seeing' the Wall structure.

Maybe someone can offer a better explanation.

Feb 3, 2006 03:32	#4
MISHEN Points: Join Date: May 31, 2005 Status: Offline	It's hard enough to see a city from Space. Despite its length, the Wall is only a few metres thick - if you had a powerful telescope, you could focus in on it - but with the naked eye - nope.

Feb 3, 2006 18:06	#5
SABERXLCR Points: Join Date: Jan 8, 2006 Status: Offline	Jasna, now you can decide for yourself about seeing the Great Wall. These images are from Google Earth (The Keyhole Satellite)and you can see at 19000 feet and at 30 miles up. This section of the Wall is just NW of Bejing. Cheers.

Feb 3, 2006 18:09	#6
SABERXLCR Points: Join Date: Jan 8, 2006 Status: Offline	Sorry, thought I could load two photos! This is the view of the Wall at 31 miles, same location.

Mar 7, 2017 22:03	#7
GUEST81728	I have looked at the pyramids north korea( found interesting cause they have little lights on at night. Vadican city all from my computer. Very cool. Use google earth then Great Wall of china. Just looked st it myself. Saw the movie tonight really enjoyed it.

Post a Reply to: China Wall...seen from space??