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Is the Great Wall of China Visible from the Moon?

When the moon rumors hit your eye like a big pizza pie, Snopes is here for you.

by Rae Deng, Nov. 12, 2001


High definition image of the moon and its craters with a blue Earth visible in the background, partially obscured by shadow.

Image courtesy of NASA


In April 2026, the four astronauts on NASA's Artemis II mission flew past the moon's far side, capturing never-before-seen images and renewing international interest in our closest neighbor in space. 

The astronauts won't land on the moon, but NASA says their journey is a critical step toward the space agency's goal to send humans back to the lunar surface. 

The moon and the first manned moon landing have long been a source of fascination among the public. For example, Snopes has examined various fantastical images claiming to show the moon and confirmed that the celestial body briefly "vanished" from the sky about 1,000 years ago.

Below are 15 rumors involving the moon that we've fact-checked over the years:


By Rae Deng

Rae Deng specializes in government/politics and is based in Tacoma, Wash.

Who owns the moon? No one, despite Fox host Jesse Watters' claim

Feb. 9, 2026

Watters appeared to claim the United States owns the moon, but an international treaty begs to d ...

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A white man wearing a dark blue suit sits behind a microphone.

There are no soldiers on the moon, despite what US Army secretary said

June 20, 2025

U.S. Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll misspoke during an interview and sent social media in ...

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Yes, NASA Is Installing 'Internet' on the Moon

Dec. 6, 2023

But it’s not the same type of connectivity we’re used to on Earth.

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Explosive Claims: The Reality Behind Viral Video of Object Striking the Moon

Aug. 30, 2023

According to NASA, lunar meteors don't require oxygen or combustion to make themselves visible.

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Does This Footage Show Stanley Kubrick Directing the Moon Landing?

July 4, 2023

According to conspiracy theorists, the clip proved that the whole mission was faked.

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Is Australia Wider than the Earth's Moon?

April 2, 2023

Yes and no. It depends on what yardstick we use.

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Nature, Outdoors, Outer Space

Does Video Show Giant Moon Blocking the Sun Over the Arctic?

May 27, 2021

The first total lunar eclipse in more than two years raised reports of strange sightings.

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Nature, Outdoors, Moon

Does a Photo Show a 'Super Moon' at the Temple of Poseidon?

May 19, 2021

Internet users marveled at an old photo of a "super moon" in Greece, with the celestial event se ...

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Did the Moon Briefly 'Disappear' 1,000 Years Ago?

Jan. 5, 2021

A famed medieval transcript described the Earth’s lunar companion as “wholly gone.”

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Did 'Banned' Photo Expose Fake Moon Landing?

Dec. 10, 2020

A TikTok user put a new spin on an age-old conspiracy theory.

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Is This Video of a Moonrise Over Byron Bay Real?

Oct. 19, 2020

The Byron Bay Lighthouse has become a favorite of night sky photographers.

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Is This a 'Lava Moon' Melting into a Waterfall?

Oct. 5, 2018

A photograph of the moon and a waterfall seemingly align just right to create a "lava moon" melt ...

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Did Astronauts Remove Their Helmets on the 'Moon'?

May 4, 2017

That doesn't seem like a good idea.

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Lunar Eclipses Happen Only During Full Moons

Feb. 9, 2017

Despite headlines suggesting otherwise, the coincidence of a full moon and a lunar eclipse is no ...

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Is the Great Wall of China Visible from the Moon?

Nov. 12, 2001

Long-held common belief holds that the Great Wall of China is the only man-made object visible f ...

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