They Said They Found Unicorns and Man-Bats on the Moon… And Everyone Believed It!

In 1835, the New York Sun shocked the world with headlines claiming famed astronomer Sir John Herschel had discovered life on the Moon—including bat-winged humanoids, unicorns, and sapphire temples. The six-part series, written by Richard Adams Locke, described a 24-foot telescope revealing lush forests, herds of ‘bison,’ and rational ‘Vespertilio-homo’ creatures building structures. Though a satire mocking religious pseudoscience, the hoax captivated thousands, spurred missionary plans, and even fooled scientists. Learn how this 19th-century ‘fake news’ scandal skyrocketed the Sun’s circulation, inspired Edgar Allan Poe, and shaped tabloid journalism—proving sensationalism sells, then and now.