In today’s world, disinformation and ‘alternative facts’ have become ubiquitous. But nearly 200 years ago, one reporter inadvertently created a science hoax that captured global attention.
In August 1835, New York newspaper The Sun published a series of six articles detailing remarkable discoveries allegedly made by the well-known English astronomer Sir John Herschel.
Penned by Herschel’s fictional travel companion, Dr Andrew Grant, the series began by describing an enormous telescope – over 7m (almost 23ft) in diameter and weighing seven tons – which allowed Herschel to observe the Moon in unprecedented detail.
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As the series progressed, it detailed Herschel’s incredible finds. It described lush forests and vast seas that were home to fantastical beasts.
There were unicorns, intelligent beavers that walked on two legs and winged humans called ‘man-bats’, all depicted in lithographs (like the one pictured left) that ran with the stories.
The final article in the series described the unfortunate destruction of the telescope, which set fire to the observatory where it was housed.
The series was actually written by reporter Richard Adams Locke, who only confessed to the hoax years later. According to Locke, it was intended as satire, drawing attention to the influence of religion on scientific theories of the time.
In particular, he wanted to ridicule the astronomy books of Rev Thomas Dick, who predicted that abundant lunar life would be detected once telescopes became powerful enough.
But Locke underestimated how willingly the public would believe his satire. The writings of Dick and others had primed people to accept such outlandish ideas, and Locke’s decision to weave some truth into the fiction – such as the name of a real astronomer – helped to make it all the more believable.
The Sun didn’t retract the articles or attempt to halt their spread (perhaps because their popularity was proving too profitable) until weeks later when the newspaper finally admitted the story was fabricated.
This article is an answer to the question (asked by Julie King, Southampton) 'What was the Great Moon Hoax of 1835?'
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