Nasa

Did astronaut Buzz Aldrin say the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing "didn't happen"? No, that's not true: The video clip in the post that makes this claim is misleading since it left out important context from one of Aldrin's quotes in a 2015 question-and-answer session. The claim appeared in a post on Instagram on June 11, 2023. The caption opened:…

Is livestreamed footage of the lunar module Challenger's 1972 takeoff from the moon fake since the technology did not exist at the time to livestream such an event? No, that's not true: NASA's chief historian confirmed to Lead Stories that the "footage is authentic to the Apollo 17 mission." As part of the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s,…

Does the impact of carbon dioxide on global warming have "no definitive scientific proof through real-world observation"? No, that's not true: Relying on numerous credible observational studies coupled with an understanding of physics, chemistry and statistical analysis, contemporary science considers increased levels of CO₂ one of the major factors responsible for climate change. The claim appeared in a reel on…

Do "chemtrails" contain the chemicals aluminum, barium, strontium and ethylene to cause a number of negative health impacts, including migraines, runny noses, depression, lethargy and anxiety? No, that's not true: Experts largely agree that "chemtrails" are a conspiracy theory not proven by science. Contrails, white lines of condensation released by aircraft primarily made of water vapor, are commonly confused for…

Does satellite imagery from early June 2023, showing wildfires in Quebec starting simultaneously, prove that the fires were coordinated? No, that's not true: Many factors can explain why wildfires started in the Canadian province at the same time, including lightning strikes, dry conditions in the region and human activity. A spokesman for Quebec's Society for the Protection of Forests Against…

Are conservatives or Republicans now taking issue with "manufactured" rainbows that appear when there is water spray from a fountain? No, that's not true: This viral 2007 video of unscientific musings about rainbows was mashed up and posted to mock conservative Republicans in 2023. In the original video, the person's political party affiliation is not readily apparent. Remixed in 2023,…

Does a video shared on social media show "leaked footage of our flat Earth from 1977"? No, that's not true: A 22-second clip that was first posted to TikTok in February 2023 was created by a satirical account that uses computer-generated imagery (CGI). Versions of the video were later shared to social media accounts without the satirical disclaimer to suggest…

Did a NASA study find that snake plants, a type of houseplant, improve air quality in your home while you sleep? No, that's not true: A public affairs officer for NASA told Lead Stories that NASA has not made this claim and that the results taken from a 1989 study it ran on air-quality factors have been misinterpreted. A 2019…

Do nasopharyngeal swabs, like those used in PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing for COVID-19, affect your longevity and aging? No, that's not true: Most research about the effectiveness and safety of such swabs suggests that they pose no significant threat to most patients. The claim appeared in a video (archived here) posted on TikTok on April 28, 2023. The video…

Do jumpy cuts in the asparagus-eating video recorded by Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield while in the zero-gravity environment in 2013 prove it was shot in a "Hollywood basement," outer space does not exist and Earth is flat? No, that's not true: In 2015, Hadfield, who became known not only as a space explorer but also as a space video blogger,…