EvidenceThroughout the years, there have been a variety of theories that contribute to the overall moon landing hoax. From Stanley Kurbick being accused of working with NASA to replicate the moon landing, all the way to pin pointing different aspects of the moon landing broadcast. All of these theories are what truly make the moon landing hoax. Here we will look at the most common arguments by moon landing deniers and the refuting evidence from the rebuttlers.
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WAS THE MOON LANDING FAKE?
Argument #1: The Stars
At Tranquility Base by NASA, 20 July 1969. Public Domain.
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Conspiracy TheoryIn the picture of the moon’s landscape there are no stars in the black background of outer space. There is no atmosphere on the moon, so why are we not able to see the moon in this picture? People believe this may be because the photographers who were trying to create this photo, forget the detail of stars in the background.
Refuting DebateThe light from the sun that hits the surface of the moon is way too bright to allow for a camera to capture anything in the distance. This explains why no stars are visible. A comparison is being able to see stars in a big city versus in an open field…
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Argument #2: The Shadow Lengths
Conspiracy TheoryEven though the astronauts appear to be standing close to each other in many photos, the length of their shadows appear to be disproportional and the shadows are very different lengths. This could indicate there was a faulty light system set up in a stage where the landing could have been filmed.
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Refuting DebateThe photos could have been taken on rough or hilly landscapes on the moon, which could explain the disproportional lengths.
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Argument #3: The American Flag
Cropped version of Image:AldrinFlag1.jpeg by NASA, 30 March 2007. Public Domain.
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Conspiracy TheoryThe video footage of the astronauts planting the American Flag in the ground shows the flag moving in a way that appears to be as if there is a slight breeze. On the moon there are no such types of elements like breeze because there is no atmosphere. This could indicate the landing was filmed in a drafty studio.
Refuting DebateThe construction of this American Flag was specific for the moon’s surface. A wire was run through the fabric to allow it to stand like a normal flag even without an atmosphere. The flapping of the flag could be because of the astronauts struggling to plant the pole into the ground .
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Argument #4: The Inability to see the Camera
Conspiracy TheoryIn a very famous photo of Buzz Aldrin on the moon, taken by Neil Armstrong, you can see Armstrong's reflection in Aldrin’s helmet. The problem is that it doesn’t appear that Armstrong is holding any photographic device which could indicate someone else took this famous photo.
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Refuting DebateThe camera was a special camera mounted to his suit which could be easier manipulated than a regular hand held camera which could be why it isn't seen in the reflection.
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Astronaut Buzz Aldrin on the Moon by NASA, 21 July 1969. Public Domain.
Argument #5: The "C" Rock
Conspiracy TheoryA famous photo of the moon landing has a piece of stray moon rock that appears to have a “C” written on it as if it were a labeled prop. This could indicate that the moon landing was staged in a studio which would explain the labeling on the rock.
Refuting Debate NASA claims its a photographic glitch that occured or someone tampered with the photo after it was taken.
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Close up from some prints of Apollo 16 photo AS16-107-17446 by NASA, 27 February 2009. Public Domain.
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Argument #6: Slow Motion Film & Wires
Conspiracy TheoryIn order to film the effects of gravity in studios, the actors were attached to wires and the film of them moving was put into slow motion to mirror the effects of walking on the moon.
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In the end...
There are countless arguments that continue to be part of the moon landing theory, however the ones mentioned above are among the most popular. Despite the efforts of NASA and other experts on the moon landing, such as engineers, astronomers, and film makers who continue to refute the arguments of conspiracy theorists, there are still many believers.
References
Davis, S. (2017, June 15). How Do We Know The Moon Landing Really Happened? Retrieved from National Space Centre: https://spacecentre.co.uk/blog-post/know-moon-landing-really-happened/
Fuller, J. (2019, July 19). Why Do Some People Believe the Moon Landings Were a Hoax? Retrieved from How stuff works: https://science.howstuffworks.com/moon-landing-hoax2.htm
Little, B. (2019, June 10). The Wildest Moon Landing Conspiracy Theories, Debunked. Retrieved from History: https://www.history.com/news/moon-landing-fake-conspiracy-theories
Fuller, J. (2019, July 19). Why Do Some People Believe the Moon Landings Were a Hoax? Retrieved from How stuff works: https://science.howstuffworks.com/moon-landing-hoax2.htm
Little, B. (2019, June 10). The Wildest Moon Landing Conspiracy Theories, Debunked. Retrieved from History: https://www.history.com/news/moon-landing-fake-conspiracy-theories