The moon landing was faked, martians exist and Dennis Kucinich really saw a UFO.
These are the things Phil Plait hopes no one ever believes.
Plait is an astronomer and author of the book "Bad Astronomy" whose work focuses on debunking misconceptions about astronomy and science. He will be speaking today at 7 p.m. in the Nebraska Union about claims that the first moon landing was a hoax.
Plait received a doctorate in astronomy from the University of Virginia in 1994 and wrote science articles for newspaper and magazines while working as a research astronomer in California. After several years working in education and public outreach for the astronomy department at Sonoma State University, he left the school to write and speak about astronomy full time.
"He has a reputation as a well known and very good speaker," said Kevin Lee, a research associate professor for the department of physics and astronomy.
Astronomy has interested Plait since his dad got him a telescope when he was five years old. After he saw Saturn for the first time Plait knew he wanted to be an astronomer.
"Every time someone sees Saturn through a telescope, it's mind boggling because it looks exactly like it does in pictures," Plait said.
Plait began debunking astronomy myths while he was a grad student at the University of Virginia. After watching a local new report about how the sun's position above the equator during the vernal equinox allows people to stand eggs on their ends, he wrote an article disproving the myth and showing eggs can stand on end at any time of year.
"I put stuff on the Web in 1993 when it was brand-spanking-new and over the years (my work) grew more and more," he said.
Plait said it's important to dispel these scientific myths because believing them promotes misunderstandings about how the world works.
"They're bad because they erode people's ability to understand reality," he said.
Plait said the main reasons people hold these misconceptions include a general distrust of government and the exciting nature of science myths, most involving conspiracy and cover-ups.
"A lot of people don't understand the basic principles of science, which makes them easier to fool," he said.
In addition to public speaking, Plait also runs an astronomy blog at www.badastronomy.com, and is almost finished with his second book "Death from the Skies." Instead of dispelling more science myths, Plaits next book will focus on exploding stars, black holes and other space phenomena that could potentially destroy life on Earth.
"Basically it talks about all the different ways astronomical events can put the hurt on us," he said.
While in Lincoln, Plait will spend Saturday giving a workshop for professors about gamma-ray bursts, powerful explosions of radiation occasionally produced when stars blow up.
"Their power is mind-numbing, and they cut through the universe like a blowtorch," he said.
While gamma-ray bursts and stars blowing up are unlikely to happen near Earth, Plait said these events are tools that, along with his work fixing misconceptions, allow him to provide an understanding of science principles in interesting ways.
"My goal in life is to get people to think more clearly," he said.
adamziegler@dailynebraskan.com
is a member of the 
