Today, we turn our attention to a curious and amusing event that began on August 25, 1835: the publication of the "Great Moon Hoax" in The Sun, a New York newspaper, which claimed that life had been discovered on the Moon.

The "Great Moon Hoax" was a series of six articles published over several days, starting on August 25, 1835. These articles described fantastical discoveries supposedly made by the renowned astronomer Sir John Herschel and his fictitious companion, Dr. Andrew Grant. The articles claimed to be reprinted from the Edinburgh Journal of Science, adding a layer of perceived credibility to the story.

The hoax was cleverly crafted, featuring detailed descriptions of life on the Moon. The headline of the first article read:

GREAT ASTRONOMICAL DISCOVERIES, LATELY MADE BY SIR JOHN HERSCHEL

According to the articles, the Moon was home to an array of bizarre and wonderful creatures, including bison, single-horned goats, mini zebras, and even unicorns. Most strikingly, the articles described bat-like winged humanoids, dubbed "Vespertilio-homo," who were said to have built temples. The Moon also reportedly had lush forests, sparkling oceans, and sandy beaches. These discoveries were supposedly made possible by an "immense telescope of an entirely new principle," transported from New England to South Africa. This telescope was described as being many times larger than any other in existence, with a lens measuring 24 feet in diameter and weighing seven tons.

The articles were filled with vivid imagery and detailed accounts, capturing the imagination of the public. One can only imagine the excitement and curiosity that these claims stirred among readers of The Sun. The concept of bat-like humanoids and other exotic creatures living on the Moon was both thrilling and astonishing.

The Sun's circulation reportedly soared due to the sensational nature of the story, establishing the newspaper as a leading source of news and entertainment. However, the articles were entirely fabricated. On September 16, 1835, The Sun admitted that the articles were a hoax. Nevertheless, the hoax was never officially retracted.

The man behind this elaborate hoax was Richard Adams Locke, a reporter for The Sun. Locke's intentions were likely twofold: to boost the newspaper's sales and to satirize the extravagant astronomical theories of the time. One such theory was proposed by Franz von Paula Gruithuisen, a professor of astronomy at Munich University, who had published a paper claiming to have observed signs of life and civilization on the Moon. Another target of Locke's satire was Reverend Thomas Dick, who estimated that the Moon was inhabited by 4.2 billion beings.

Despite the eventual revelation that the articles were a hoax, the "Great Moon Hoax" had a lasting impact. It highlighted the public's fascination with the possibilities of space and the unknown, a curiosity that continues to drive scientific exploration and popular imagination today.

The hoax also serves as a reminder of the power of the media to shape public perception and the importance of skepticism and critical thinking when confronted with extraordinary claims.

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