Astronomer Jane Green busts the moon landing hoax myths
It was one of the most remarkable events in modern history - the moment Apollo 11 astronauts, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, took the very first steps on the moon. But was the momentous occasion actually a spectacular hoax?
Almost half a century on, conspiracy theories claiming the landing was faked are still rife, and one in six UK adults are said to believe it was all ‘staged’.
So is there any truth behind the popular myths? Here to test the common conspiracies is astronomer Jane Green.
Jane takes on the conspiracies
THE FLAG MOVING IN THE WIND
In footage and photos from the moon landing it looks as if the USA flag that was placed into the moon is flapping in the wind. However, that would be impossible since there's no air on the moon.
JANE SAYS:"It looks like that because of how it was a rigged flag and how had many ridges on it. It was also crumpled up inside the capsule. Because of the atmosphere, it stayed crumpled. There was no wind."
THERE ARE NO STARS IN THE PHOTOGRAPHS
No stars show up in the background of any photographs and the angle and colours of the shadows in photographs from the moon are inconsistent, suggesting artificial lights were used to illuminate a set.
JANE SAYS: "It is purely because if there is light in the foreground you can't see the background light. The same thing happens if you take a picture now of the sky on a phone. It throws light back at the camera."
THE SHADOWS MAKE IT LOOK LIKE A FILM SET
The footage shows shadows falling in different directions. Some conspiracy theorists think this is proof that the Moon Landing was staged in a studio with multiple light sources.
JANE SAYS: "There was only one light source and a low sun and uneven surface can distort the angles of shadows. Along with the moon dust which can also distort shadow angles. It was definitely not filmed in a studio"
THE ROCKET LANDING LEFT NO TRACKS
When the lunar module descended onto the moon's surface, it didn't leave a crater from the rocket blast that slowed its descent.
JANE SAYS:"The spacecraft touched down very gently. It was so gentle that it didn't make a mark on the moon. To make a creator you'd have to make a serious impact - which they didn't."
THE FOOTPRINTS DON'T MATCH THE SPACE BOOTS
Many have compared a photo of Neil Armstrong's Apollo 11 spacesuit boot with his footprint on the moon. The outlines do not match. Others also argue that footprints need moisture to form, of which there is none on the moon.
JANE SAYS:"Moon dust is a very fine powder - hence why a footprint was formed."
WHY HAS NOBODY BEEN ON THE MOON SINCE?
No one has walked on the moon in almost 50 years. 1972 was the last time man has been on the moon via the Apollo 17.
JANE SAYS:"The simple answer is - we are going to go back soon. NASA is fully set to get a man and a woman on to the moon ASAP. There is a huge amount of expenditure that is being thrown into it. It should be happening relatively soon."