Fake moon plans for Chinese city laughed off as pie in the sky: ‘Is this The Onion?’
- An ambitious idea to replace street lights with the ‘soft glow’ of a satellite has been met with derision
- There are also serious concerns for impacts on human and wildlife well-being
A Chinese city’s plans to launch a man-made moon to replace street lights has been met with derision and incredulity online.
Chengdu, in southwest China’s Sichuan province, announced on Tuesday it was planning to launch an “illumination satellite” by 2020, People’s Daily reported, adding that it would have eight times more light than the real deal.
“Is this The Onion?” asked one Weibo user, referring to the US satirical news site. “Chengdu, have you lost it?” asked another.
Other users invoked Hou Yi, from Chinese mythology, who shot down nine suns, to come and shoot down the extra moon. Some called the plan an outright scam.
Who needs street lights? Chinese city plans fake moon
The bizarre idea – essentially a giant mirror that will reflect sunlight – was also called a ploy to start implementing 24-hour work shifts by some Weibo users, while others joked how happy it must have made the manufacturers of insomnia medication.