Expert: Patrick Weiler - 1/19/2012

Question
Good day

Mr. Patrick, i'd appreciate if you would take the time with an open mind and read this:
http://www.wariscrime.com/2012/01/16/news/the-moon-is-a-spacecraft/

I think i formed a fairly objective opinion about it(absolutely not sharing the conclusion of that silly author btw) but i'm still interested in what an expert would have to say.
In particular, the supposed impact reactions of the moon. How can anything "ring like a bell" in space?

Thank you

Answer
Hello...
I'm glad that you're intelligent enough not to fall for the nonsense cited in that book. I could rebut all of the silly claims from it, but it would take quite awhile.

As for the moon "ringing," that's easily explained. First, a seismometer was put in place on the lunar surface. Then, after rejoining the orbiting command module, the LEM was purposefully crashed back onto the moon. The seismometer detected this impact and showed the "ringing" effect. The seismometer's detection of this was then radioed to the orbiting command module. What happened is exactly the same kind of thing that occurs when a tuning fork is struck --- it "rings." It's as simple as that.

Feel free to ask any further questions you might have.