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For over 2,000 years, since the time of the ancient Greeks, humanity has known that the Earth is a globe. Despite this knowledge, some continue to believe in the ‘Flat Earth’ theory—a view that imagines our planet as a vast, flat disc in space.
Now, Jeran Campanella, a prominent Flat Earther who runs the popular YouTube channel Jeransim, appears to be reconsidering his stance after traveling to Antarctica on a trip dubbed “The Final Experiment.”
While in Antarctica during the southern hemisphere’s summer, Campanella observed the phenomenon of the 24-hour sun—an event Flat Earth proponents have long claimed to be impossible. Speaking on camera, he admitted, “Sometimes you are wrong in life, and I thought there was no 24-hour sun. In fact, I was pretty sure of it. And it’s a fact—the sun does circle you in the south. So what does that mean? You guys are going to have to find that out for yourself.”
The expedition, organized by Colorado pastor Will Duffy, cost $35,000 and brought together Flat Earthers and globe believers alike in an effort to settle the age-old debate. Campanella, while stopping short of explicitly stating the Earth is a sphere, acknowledged his previous skepticism of the 24-hour sun was misplaced. “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,” he said. “I honestly believed there was no 24-hour sun—I honestly now believe there is.”
The phenomenon of the midnight sun occurs due to the tilt of the Earth, causing the sun to remain visible for 24 hours a day during summer in the southern or northern hemispheres. For many Flat Earthers, however, this conflicts with their theory that Antarctica is not a continent but rather an ice wall surrounding the edges of the Earth.
Pastor Duffy, who livestreamed 25 consecutive hours of footage of the Antarctic sun using SpaceX’s Starlink internet, sought to eliminate any doubts. “After we go to Antarctica, no one has to waste any more time debating the shape of the Earth. I created ‘The Final Experiment’ to end this debate once and for all.”
However, the trip did little to sway some skeptics. Austin Witsit, another Flat Earther on the trip, acknowledged the 24-hour sun but maintained it didn’t prove the Earth is round. “I don’t think it falsifies flat Earth,” he said. “I think it’s a singular data point.”
The phenomenon also drew criticism from online conspiracy theorists who accused the group of using green screen technology to fake the footage. Some insisted the livestream was staged, claiming it supported what they see as a NASA-led cover-up.
Flat Earth theories persist despite centuries of scientific evidence, including the differing lengths of shadows at various locations—evidence observed by ancient Greeks like Eratosthenes. Yet, as this trip to Antarctica shows, some adherents may still be reluctant to embrace the truth, even when confronted with firsthand experiences.
