
Is the Great Wall of China really visible from space?
Contrary to popular belief, the Great Wall of China is a thin structure that blends in well with the surrounding landscape, making it very hard to spot.
Asked by: Chris Tuttle, Edinburgh
No. Even from low Earth orbit the Great Wall of China is extremely hard to spot with the naked eye. It’s a very thin line, almost the same colour as the landscape. Lots of other things are visible though, including cities, airports and dams. From the Moon, no man-made structure is visible.
Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun science facts.
Authors

Luis trained as a zoologist, but now works as a science and technology educator. In his spare time he builds 3D-printed robots, in the hope that he will be spared when the revolution inevitably comes.
Sponsored Deals
Subscription offer
Subscribe and try your first 3 issues for just £5. After your introductory period you will pay just £22.99 every 6 issues by Direct Debit. Receive every issue delivered direct to your door with FREE UK delivery.