1968 · Lunar far side
Apollo 8's far-side light
NASA's Unexplained Files: "There's a Strange Light" · Science Channel
WhenDecember 1968
WhereLunar far side
In their own words
“There's a strange light down there.”
Bill Anders, Apollo 8 lunar module pilot, onboard exchange, December 1968
On the final far-side orbit, day 4. Anders: 'There's a strange light down there.' Borman: 'Is it a bonfire?' Anders: 'It might be campfires.' Al Worden and Peter Schultz called it an open mystery on NASA's Unexplained Files.
How plausible · Moderate
The mission transcript records Anders reporting a strange light on the far side; no second sighting.
- ●●Access In lunar orbit.
- ●●No gain sought Said on the loop.
- ●●Restraint Joked as "campfires"; no claim.
- ●●Character record Apollo astronauts.
- ●●Checkable details check out The transcript is public.
- ●○Physical traces or official reaction Logged in the transcript.
Against
- −Lone source, no corroboration One remark; nothing else records it.
Plausibility weighs how well an account fits where secrecy hides the documents by design, so missing records never count against it. Strength measures what is documented. Assessed 2026-10-23.
In The picture
The Moon is not emptyOn the far side, Apollo 8's crew saw 'a strange light down there'... 'it might be campfires'. Apollo 10 filmed a bright object flashing past below Snoopy. Apollo 11 watched something keep pace with them on the way out. On Apollo 12 Alan Bean described flashes of light 'escaping the Moon'. NASA's own scan of an Apollo…
‹ Previous in Max Derakhshani's objectsLunar horizon glow2 of 17Next in Max Derakhshani's objects ›Apollo 12: lights 'escaping the Moon' and the tracking-light puzzle
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People and organizations
Apollo 8 missionAl Worden personBill Anders personFrank Borman personHarland Bentley personPeter Schultz person
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Sources
- Apollo 8 Flight Journal, Day 4: Final Orbit (088:44:39, 'There's a strange light down there')
- NASA, Apollo 8 Onboard Voice Transcription (CM tape), January 1969, p. 233
- NASA's Unexplained Files (Science Channel): "There's a Strange Light"