The Great Moon Hoax

In late August of 1835, New Yorkers were captivated by a series of articles that appeared in the New York Sun, claiming the discovery of life and civilization on the Moon. The articles described fantastic creatures, lush landscapes, and even an advanced race of “bat-men” inhabiting our celestial neighbor. This story, known today as the Great Moon Hoax, is remembered not only for its audacity but also for its profound impact on the media and public trust. How did such a bold deception come to be, and what does it tell us about the power of the press?

The early 19th century was a time of rapid change and growing curiosity. The Penny Press, a new wave of affordable newspapers, had begun to democratize information, making news accessible to the common man. The New York Sun, launched in 1833, was one of the pioneers of this movement. In a fiercely competitive environment, newspapers often resorted to sensationalism to attract readers. At the same time, the public’s interest in astronomy was on the rise, fueled by recent scientific advancements and a sense of wonder about the universe. It was within this context that the Great Moon Hoax emerged, capitalizing on both the public’s thirst for knowledge and its readiness to believe the extraordinary.

The hoax began with an article published on August 25, 1835, which claimed to be a reprint from the Edinburgh Journal of Science. It reported that Sir John Herschel, one of the most famous astronomers of the time, had made astonishing discoveries using a new, powerful telescope. According to the article, Herschel had observed the Moon’s surface in unprecedented detail, revealing not only its geography but also its inhabitants.

The series of six articles that followed described a fantastical lunar world. Readers were told of lush forests, massive crystals, and a variety of life forms, including blue unicorns, bipedal beavers, and, most famously, a race of winged humanoids, dubbed “Vespertilio-homo” or “bat-men.” These bat-men were depicted as a highly intelligent and civilized society, living in grand temples and practicing advanced agriculture. The articles were filled with detailed, pseudo-scientific language, lending them an air of credibility.

Central to these claims was the character of Dr. Andrew Grant, introduced as Sir John Herschel’s assistant. Grant’s descriptions were so vivid and authoritative that many readers were convinced of their authenticity. However, neither Dr. Andrew Grant nor his detailed accounts had any basis in reality; they were entirely fabricated.

The public reaction was immediate and intense. The New York Sun’s circulation skyrocketed as readers clamored for the latest installment of the moon discoveries. The story was picked up by newspapers across the United States and even abroad, spreading the hoax far beyond New York City. Some readers were skeptical, but many were enthralled by the possibility that humanity was not alone in the universe.

The hoax was a boon for the New York Sun, cementing its place as one of the leading newspapers of the time. The paper’s circulation reportedly increased by nearly 50,000 copies during the period, a staggering number for that era. The articles also sparked discussions in salons, taverns, and homes, as people debated the implications of the supposed discoveries.

However, the scientific community was less convinced. Some astronomers and scholars expressed doubts, noting inconsistencies and the lack of direct communication from Herschel himself. Yet, the sensational nature of the story made it difficult for reasoned voices to break through the excitement.

As the excitement began to wane, questions about the authenticity of the story grew louder. Eventually, the truth emerged: the entire series was a fabrication. The key figure behind the hoax was Richard Adams Locke, a reporter for the New York Sun. Locke later admitted that he had written the articles as a satire, intended to mock both the speculative nature of popular science at the time and the gullibility of the public.

The revelation that the articles were a hoax did little to diminish the Sun’s popularity; in fact, it may have enhanced it by cementing the paper’s reputation for audacious and entertaining journalism. Locke, for his part, faced little backlash and continued to write for the paper. However, the exposure of the hoax did prompt a broader discussion about the responsibilities of the press and the importance of verifying information before publishing sensational stories.

The primary motivation behind the Great Moon Hoax was commercial. The New York Sun, like other penny presses, was engaged in a fierce battle for readership. Sensational stories were the currency of the day, and Locke’s inventive tale of lunar life was a calculated gamble that paid off handsomely in terms of sales and attention.

There is also a case to be made that the hoax served as a form of social commentary. Locke’s story played on the tension between scientific discovery and public understanding, highlighting how easily the line between fact and fiction could be blurred. It also underscored the power of the media to shape public perception, a theme that remains relevant today.

The Great Moon Hoax left a lasting legacy on the field of journalism. It was one of the first major instances of what we might now call “fake news,” and it demonstrated both the power and the peril of sensationalism. The hoax also highlighted the need for ethical standards in journalism, a lesson that resonates in an era where misinformation can spread rapidly through social media and other platforms.

The hoax also serves as a reminder of the enduring human fascination with the unknown and the extraordinary. Just as readers in 1835 were captivated by the possibility of life on the Moon, so too are people today drawn to stories that challenge our understanding of the world.

The Great Moon Hoax of 1835 stands as a fascinating chapter in the history of journalism, one that raises important questions about the relationship between the press and the public. It reminds us that while the media has the power to inform and enlighten, it also has the ability to deceive and manipulate. As we navigate the complexities of the modern information landscape, the lessons of the Great Moon Hoax remain as relevant as ever, urging us to approach sensational stories with a healthy dose of skepticism and a commitment to the truth.