Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Treasured "Moon Rock" Is Petrified Wood

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the keep-yer-hands-off-my-treasure dept.

Hugh Pickens writes "BBC reports that a treasured piece at the Dutch national museum — a supposed moon rock from the first manned lunar landing given to former Prime Minister Willem Drees during a goodwill tour by the three Apollo-11 astronauts shortly after their moon mission in 1969 — has been revealed as nothing more than petrified wood, curators say. A jagged fist-size stone with reddish tints, it was mounted and placed above a plaque that said, 'With the compliments of the Ambassador of the United States of America... to commemorate the visit to The Netherlands of the Apollo-11 astronauts.' The plaque does not specify that the rock came from the moon's surface. Researchers from Amsterdam's Free University said they could see at a glance the rock was probably not from the moon. They followed the initial appraisal up with extensive testing. 'It's a nondescript, pretty-much-worthless stone,' wrote Geologist Frank Beunk in an article published by the museum. Beunk says the rock, which the museum at one point insured for more than half a million dollars, was worth no more than $70. The 'rock' had originally been been vetted through a phone call to NASA. As the US Embassy in the Hague said it was investigating the matter, the Rijksmuseum says it will keep the piece as a curiosity."

5 of 209 comments (clear)

  1. NASA again, man those crucks will never suprice me by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    just check some of the articles from http://www.enterprisemission.com/ NASA is a joke that works for the military complex...

  2. Re:Rock swap? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    I didn't get a chance to bring this up sooner but, Ted Kennedy, I'm glad you're dead. You fucking nigger loving traitor piece of corrupt shit. Fuck you, fuck your brothers, fuck your whole piece of shit family. As soon as the money is all pissed away by your heirs and relatives, the United States will be a better place.

    And on topic. This is some funny shit. Somebody should have at least said the rock was fake though if nothing else but to keep this from inevitably happening.

  3. Re:does this mean war? by operagost · · Score: 0, Troll

    One doesn't need to guard the compost heap.

    --

    Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
  4. Math Nazi by bruce_the_loon · · Score: -1, Troll

    1kg = 2.2lb

    382kg * 2.2lb/kg = 840.2lb

    842 pounds is less than 382 Kilos = Epic Fail

    --
    Trying to become famous by taking photos. Visit my homepage please.
  5. Re:Cue the moon-mission hoax cult by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll
    • Did you know that all but one of the lunar astronauts, when confronted in recent years, refused to swear on the Bible that they actually went to the moon?
    • Did you know there is footage on the net of Apollo astronauts in LEO "faking" a live broadcast that was supposed to be from much farther away from earth?
    • If the American govt, at the height of the US/Soviet space race frenzy, found out they couldn't do it, do you think they would A) Admit failure, or B) Fake success?
    • Was fabricating convincing space footage possible in the late 60's? Sure, look at Kubrick's 2001.
    • Don't you find it odd we've never left LEO since?

    The "no stars in the the photos" and "the flag is waving in the wind" stuff is all complete crap, all of it. But there ARE legitimate questions.

    You can go ahead and mod me down now.