Figuring out who owns what is usually easy. It’s as clear as day that you own the shoes on your feet right now. You probably also own the computer or device you’re listening to this lesson with too. It’s not likely anyone would argue the fact that you own those things, either. What about things that aren’t as easy to own, though? Or things that are much farther away, like the moon?
The concept of anyone owning the moon seems pretty silly. The concept of any single person owning the moon seems even sillier. Even if you could imagine owning the moon, you might think it would be a whole country who owned the moon. Not just any country either, but the country who had gone to the moon the most often.
The reality is much different, though. In fact, there is a man who claims to be the sole owner of the moon. Dennis M. Hope has owned the moon since the year 1980. What makes Dennis the owner of the moon? Because he says, he owns the moon, and no one can prove that he doesn’t.
It sounds crazy, but the 1967 United Nations Outer Space Treaty says that no country can own the moon. Good thing for Dennis the treaty doesn’t say anything about individuals owning the moon. Dennis sent multiple letters to the United Nations saying that he owned the moon and asked for a reason why he couldn’t claim ownership of the moon. When the United Nations didn’t respond, Dennis took that as a sign that the moon was his property. Owning the moon has been Dennis’ only source of income since 1995.
For over 15 years now, Dennis has been selling plots of land on the moon for bargain prices. About $35, which includes the lunar tax, gets you a whole acre of land on the moon. Dennis has even sold plots of the moon as large as some countries for $250,000.
While the early bird often gets the worm, in this case, Dennis’s claims to the moon will most likely become meaningless. China recently sent a robot to the moon with the main goal of digging a hole to explore for valuable minerals. Scientists think the moon could be rich in valuable minerals such as titanium, uranium, and also helium 3. Helium 3 is a gas that costs 10 million US dollars per kilogram. It’s not just governments but also private companies who are planning to mine the natural resources of the moon.
As more and more companies and governments make progress toward settling and mining the moon, what will happen to Dennis and all his customers? Will their ownership rights be valid? Or will it all turn out to be a big disappointment to everyone but Dennis, who got rich from someone else’s moon? Only time will tell.
Read More:
Meet the Man Who Owns the Moon
Dennis M. Hope Has Owned the Moon Since 1980 Because He Says So
Figuring out who owns what is usually easy. It’s as clear as day that you own the shoes on your feet. You probably also own the computer you’re listening to this lesson with too. What about things that aren’t as easy to own? Or things that are much farther away, like the moon?
The idea of anyone owning the moon seems pretty silly. The idea of any single person owning the moon seems even sillier. Even if someone could own the moon, you might think it would be a whole country.
The reality is much different. In fact, there is a man who says he is the owner of the moon. Dennis M. Hope has owned the moon since the year 1980. What makes Dennis the owner of the moon? Because he says, he owns the moon, and no one can prove that he doesn’t.
It sounds crazy, but in 1967, the United Nations decided that no country could own the moon. Good thing for Dennis they didn’t say anything about people owning the moon. Dennis sent many letters to the United Nations saying that he owned the moon. He asked for a reason why he couldn’t claim the moon. The United Nations didn’t answer. Dennis took that as a sign that the moon was his. Owning the moon has been Dennis’ only source of money since 1995.
For over 15 years now, Dennis has been selling land on the moon for bargain prices. About $35 gets you a piece of land on the moon. Dennis has even sold plots of the moon as large as some countries for $250,000.
While the early bird often gets the worm, Dennis’s claims will probably not last. China recently sent a robot to the moon with the main goal of digging a hole to explore for minerals. Scientists think the moon could be rich in minerals. Helium 3 is a gas that costs 10 million US dollars per kilogram. Private companies are also planning to mine the moon.
As more and more companies and governments make progress toward mining the moon, what will happen to Dennis and all his customers? Will it all turn out to be a big disappointment to everyone but Dennis, who got rich from someone else’s moon? Only time will tell.
The Man Who Owns the Moon
Read More:
Meet the Man Who Owns the Moon
Dennis M. Hope Has Owned the Moon Since 1980 Because He Says So
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