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Chicago Skyline Visible from Indiana Dunes: Fact or Fiction?

The Claim: Flat Earth Theory Proves Visibility

A recent viral video on Facebook has claimed that the entire Chicago skyline can be seen from the Indiana Dunes, providing evidence for the theory that the Earth is flat.

Scientific Debunking

However, a simple trigonometric equation debunks this claim. Using the known distance between the Indiana Dunes and Chicago (approximately 50 miles), the height of the tallest building in Chicago (Willis Tower, 1,451 feet), and the curvature of the Earth (20 feet per mile), it can be calculated that the Chicago skyline should be invisible from the Dunes.

The True Reason for Skyline Visibility

Despite the scientific evidence, some individuals at Porter Beach in the Indiana Dunes National Park have indeed reported seeing the Chicago skyline from up to 50 miles away. This phenomenon, however, is not due to a flat Earth but rather to atmospheric conditions such as mirages.

Under certain atmospheric conditions, such as temperature inversions, the air near the ground becomes denser than the air higher up. This causes light rays to bend and travel in a curved path, allowing objects beyond the horizon to become visible.

Conclusion

While the Chicago skyline may occasionally be visible from the Indiana Dunes, it is not a result of a flat Earth. The phenomenon is caused by atmospheric conditions that allow light to travel along a curved path, creating the illusion of visibility.

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