One in Three Russians Believed Sun Orbits Earth in 2011

In 2011, Russia's state pollster VTsIOM surveyed 1,600 citizens about basic scientific facts. The results were startling: nearly one in three Russians—32 percent—believed the Sun revolves around the Earth. That's the same geocentric model that was debunked by Copernicus in 1543, nearly 500 years earlier.

But the Sun-Earth confusion wasn't the only eyebrow-raising finding. The survey revealed a broader pattern of scientific misconceptions across the population.

More Than Just Astronomy

The same poll found that 55 percent of Russians believed all radioactivity is man-made—apparently unaware that naturally occurring radioactive elements like uranium and radon exist in nature. Another 29 percent thought the first humans lived when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth, despite the 65-million-year gap between the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs and the emergence of Homo sapiens.

Interestingly, the survey found that women were more likely than men to believe these scientific fallacies, though the pollsters didn't speculate on why.

Russia Isn't Alone

Before pointing fingers, it's worth noting that scientific literacy gaps exist worldwide. In the United States, surveys have found similar misconceptions persist:

• About 26% of Americans don't know that Earth orbits the Sun (though this varies by survey methodology)
• Many Americans struggle with basic questions about evolution, the Big Bang, and climate change
• Science literacy correlates strongly with education level and access to quality science education

The Russian results might seem shocking, but they reflect a global challenge in science education and communication.

Why Does This Happen?

From our everyday perspective, it does look like the Sun moves across the sky while we stand still. Ancient astronomers weren't fools—the geocentric model made perfect intuitive sense based on observable phenomena. It took careful observation, mathematical modeling, and a willingness to challenge common sense to accept the heliocentric truth.

In modern times, gaps in science education, limited access to quality schooling, and the persistence of traditional beliefs can all contribute to scientific misconceptions. When science education isn't prioritized or made engaging, people fall back on what seems intuitively obvious—even when it's wrong.

The good news? Science literacy can improve. Education initiatives, accessible science communication, and curiosity-driven learning all help populations better understand the world around them. The first step is acknowledging where the gaps exist—which is exactly what surveys like this one accomplish.