Top 10 Worst Science Myths People Still Believe

Andrew Wakefield's fraudulent 1998 study was retracted and his medical license revoked, yet this dangerous myth persists despite dozens of large-scale studies involving millions of children finding no link.

In science, a theory is a well-substantiated explanation supported by extensive evidence. Evolution is as firmly established as the germ theory of disease or the theory of gravity.

Multiple astronauts, including China's own Yang Liwei, have confirmed that the Great Wall is not visible to the naked eye from low Earth orbit — it is too narrow despite its length.

Tall structures like the Empire State Building are struck by lightning roughly 20 to 25 times per year. Lightning preferentially targets the same elevated points repeatedly.

Astronauts on the ISS experience microgravity because they are in continuous free fall around Earth, not because gravity is absent. At ISS altitude, gravity is still about 90% of surface strength.

The tongue map taught in schools originated from a misinterpretation of a 1901 German thesis. All taste receptor types are distributed across the entire tongue surface.

Research at the University of Plymouth demonstrated that goldfish can be trained to push levers for food and remember the task for months, far exceeding the mythical three seconds.

A penny's flat shape and low mass mean it reaches a terminal velocity of only about 50 mph — enough to sting but far too slow to cause serious injury, let alone death.

Earth is actually closest to the Sun in January during Northern Hemisphere winter. Seasons are caused by the 23.5-degree axial tilt, which changes the angle and duration of sunlight received.

Andrew Wakefield's fraudulent 1998 study was retracted and his medical license revoked, yet this dangerous myth persists despite dozens of large-scale studies involving millions of children finding no link.

In science, a theory is a well-substantiated explanation supported by extensive evidence. Evolution is as firmly established as the germ theory of disease or the theory of gravity.

Multiple astronauts, including China's own Yang Liwei, have confirmed that the Great Wall is not visible to the naked eye from low Earth orbit — it is too narrow despite its length.

Tall structures like the Empire State Building are struck by lightning roughly 20 to 25 times per year. Lightning preferentially targets the same elevated points repeatedly.

Astronauts on the ISS experience microgravity because they are in continuous free fall around Earth, not because gravity is absent. At ISS altitude, gravity is still about 90% of surface strength.

The tongue map taught in schools originated from a misinterpretation of a 1901 German thesis. All taste receptor types are distributed across the entire tongue surface.

Research at the University of Plymouth demonstrated that goldfish can be trained to push levers for food and remember the task for months, far exceeding the mythical three seconds.

A penny's flat shape and low mass mean it reaches a terminal velocity of only about 50 mph — enough to sting but far too slow to cause serious injury, let alone death.

Earth is actually closest to the Sun in January during Northern Hemisphere winter. Seasons are caused by the 23.5-degree axial tilt, which changes the angle and duration of sunlight received.