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Lunar Tricks - Dundee and the Moon Hoax

    Activity: Other activity types › Public engagement and outreach - public lecture/debate/seminar

    Description

    The 1835 Moon Hoax was perhaps the greatest ‘fake news’ story of the 19th century. A New York newspaper published a series of articles purporting to reveal the truth about life on the moon. Allegedly reprinted from an Edinburgh publication, they were intended in part as a satirical parody of the work of a Dundee astronomer, Rev Thomas Dick.

    This event explores the history of the hoax and its inspiration and acts as a virtual opening for a new art and design exhibition called Moon Beams. The event features a series of short presentations:

    • Museum curator Matthew Jarron provides a virtual tour of the exhibition
    • Local astronomer Brian Kelly discusses the significance of Thomas Dick and the astronomy of his time
    • Dr Keith Williams of the School of Humanities tells us about the Moon Hoax and its perpetrator
    • Graphic Design and Illustration tutors Dave Wood, Helena Gregory and Mick Peter show some of the results of a series of student projects at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design inspired by the Moon Hoax
    • and Dr Daniel Cook of the School of Humanities previews some of the other exciting lunar-themed events in the Being Human Festival
    Period13 Nov 2020
    Event titleLunar Tricks - Dundee and the Moon Hoax
    Event typeOther
    LocationDundee, United KingdomShow on map