The Messages Left on the Moon
Lying in the dust of the Moon is a small silicon disc, smaller than a coin. On it, in tiny writing, are messages from the leaders of 73 countries.
What was reported
Before Apollo 11 flew to the Moon in July 1969, NASA asked world leaders to send messages of goodwill. Statements from 73 countries were reduced to tiny size and etched onto a silicon disc about 4 centimetres across, along with the names of US leaders and NASA officials.
Before leaving the Moon, Buzz Aldrin placed the disc on the surface, in a small pouch with other items, including a patch commemorating the astronauts who died in the Apollo 1 fire and medals honouring two Soviet cosmonauts.
Explanations offered
The disc is still there, though no one has seen it since 1969. The writing is so small it can only be read with a microscope. Messages included words from the Pope, the Queen and leaders of countries across the world.
- When
- Left on 21 July 1969
- Where
- Tranquility Base, Sea of Tranquillity, on the Moon
- Witnesses
- Apollo 11 astronauts and NASA
- Status
- Confirmed
Famous cases are real, widely reported events. Each file sets out what witnesses said and the explanations that have been offered, without taking a side.