According to surveys by the National Science Foundation, about 1 in 4 Americans incorrectly answered that the Sun orbits the Earth, and roughly half of Americans accept the theory of evolution.
1 in 4 Americans Got a Basic Astronomy Question Wrong
In 2014, the National Science Foundation released the results of a survey that made headlines around the world—and not for good reasons. When asked whether the Earth goes around the Sun or the Sun goes around the Earth, 26% of Americans got it wrong.
Let that sink in for a moment. More than a century after we put the geocentric model to rest, a quarter of the American population still had it backwards.
The Survey That Sparked a Thousand Think Pieces
The NSF conducts these scientific literacy surveys regularly as part of their Science and Engineering Indicators report. The astronomy question wasn't a trick—it was about as straightforward as science gets.
But that wasn't even the most controversial finding.
When asked about evolution, the country split almost perfectly down the middle. Roughly half of Americans said they believed humans evolved from earlier species of animals, while the other half rejected the idea entirely.
How Does the U.S. Compare?
Before Americans feel too embarrassed, it's worth noting that scientific literacy varies wildly across the globe:
- The EU scored similarly on the astronomy question, with about 34% getting it wrong
- South Korea and Japan had the highest rates of evolution acceptance
- Some countries scored worse on basic physics and biology questions
Still, for a nation that put humans on the Moon, the results were... humbling.
Why the Knowledge Gap?
Researchers point to several factors. Science education in American schools varies enormously by state and district. Evolution, in particular, remains a politically charged topic in many communities, with some school boards actively avoiding or downplaying it in curricula.
There's also the simple fact that most adults haven't thought about orbital mechanics since middle school. Unless you're an astronomer or a particularly dedicated science enthusiast, "which thing orbits which" isn't exactly dinner table conversation.
The Silver Lining
More recent surveys have shown modest improvements in some areas. Evolution acceptance, in particular, has been trending upward—a 2022 Gallup poll showed acceptance climbing past 50% for the first time in decades.
And the NSF surveys also revealed plenty of good news: Americans overwhelmingly trust scientists, support scientific research funding, and believe science education is important.
They just might need a quick refresher on a few basics.