ABSTRACT
The astronomer Sir John Herschel was the first to discover creatures, including winged humanoids he called Vespertilio-homo, living on the moon. The writer of the moon hoax attempted to present a satirical analysis of religious sermons and scientific studies that were already anticipating lunar life. More than just entertainment, the moon hoax was an example of a more serious discourse between rivaling factions of society, each in its own way searching for truth or profit. The most fruitful studies of the moon hoax have been conducted outside the journalism academe in social histories and science studies. The truth to the moon hoax lies somewhere else for the media historian. Journalism scholars have been slow to determine what the moon hoax actually meant to their profession. For at least a hundred years, the moon hoax was synonymous with fraud and sensationalism, but it may have actually started the discussion on journalism ethics.
