The 56th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing is just around the corner, but a resurfaced clip of astronaut Buzz Aldrin is reigniting some wild conspiracy theories here in South Africa and around the globe. Did the second man on the moon just accidentally confess the whole thing was a hoax?
The 'Animation' Admission
The clip in question comes from a 2000 appearance on Conan O'Brien's late-night show. O'Brien recalls watching the moon landing live on TV as a child. Aldrin's response? A blunt, “No, you didn't… There wasn't any television, there wasn't anyone taking a picture. You watched an animation.”
This seemingly off-the-cuff remark has been seized upon by conspiracy theorists as proof that NASA faked the 1969 moon landing to win the space race against the Soviet Union. The video has gone viral, racking up millions of views and sparking heated debates online.
More Fuel to the Fire
Another clip circulating online features Aldrin at a Q&A session in 2015. While the context is debated, snippets are being used to further support the claims of a staged event. Skeptics also point to the fact that, despite advancements in technology, humans haven't returned to the moon since 1972, questioning why.
Of course, NASA and the vast majority of the scientific community stand by the historical accuracy of the Apollo 11 mission. However, these resurfaced clips and the enduring popularity of moon landing conspiracy theories demonstrate the power of doubt and the internet's ability to amplify alternative narratives. What do you think? Was it a giant leap for mankind, or a giant leap of faith... in special effects? Let us know in the comments!