Reality Check Field Guide
This field guide turns the wiki into a practical learning path. Instead of asking readers to accept a conclusion, it invites them to make predictions, check observations, and compare models.
The 7-Day Reality Check
- Day 1 — Claim Lab: choose one claim and write the flat and globe predictions before checking anything.
- Day 2 — Shadows: measure a shadow near local solar noon and compare with a friend in another city.
- Day 3 — The Horizon: photograph a distant target from two different heights.
- Day 4 — The Sky: identify Polaris, Crux, or another latitude-sensitive sky marker.
- Day 5 — Solar Noon: compare solar noon across longitudes.
- Day 6 — Satellites and Signals: track a visible satellite or amateur radio satellite pass.
- Day 7 — Convergence: ask which model predicted the most observations with the fewest patches.
What Makes This Fair
The guide does not start with “believe the expert.” It starts with ordinary predictions. If a model is good, it should risk being wrong before the result is known.
Suggested Kit
- Smartphone camera and compass app
- Meter stick or straight pole for shadows
- Notebook or shared spreadsheet
- Known target height/distance for horizon observations
- Stellarium, Heavens-Above, USNO Sun/Moon data, and the tools embedded in this wiki