As someone who teaches astronomy, I can say I'm not surprised, and it's not about religion or politics. Moderate has part of the answer - people generally don't retain facts that don't apply to their everyday lives. Xahar also has part of the answer, when people hear an unexpected or unfamiliar question they easily misunderstand the question. One of the best predictors for success in college physics or astronomy at the introductory level is not one's math skill, but rather one's reading skill.
But astronomy doesn't apply to my everyday life and I still retain that information. I don't understand why it's so difficult to retain such a basic fact. I'm a history guy, I don't do math or science. By that logic I shouldn't be able to remember that the earth revolves around the sun.
You're an educated guy and recognize that a wide range of factual information has value. There are many people who don't hold such views. It may not even be about knowing whether the earth revolves around the sun, but as simple a fact as what does it mean to orbit. Maybe for some orbit refers to the moon or satellites around the earth and the connection to the earth around the sun is not apparent.
Scott Walker, a college dropout, is spoken of as a serious contender for president and a substantial number of people think basic 10th grade math (ie Algebra II) is impossible and should be dropped as a requirement for a high school diploma.
Those results don't shock me. It's the rise of the idiocracy.
I don't believe that Algebra II is impossible, but I do believe it should be dropped from the curriculum. Many of those who I know that believe it should be dropped are actually quite expert at Algebra II. But we had a whole thread on that subject, so I won't belabor my reasons here.
