When the Moon Hits Your Eye

Dayton Bailey, an associate professor at the Colorado School of Mines and a science writer, meets with his literary agent, Aubrey Stewart, to discuss his book’s poor performance. Aubrey bluntly tells him that his book on paramecia has failed beyond recovery and advises him to pursue a broader, more accessible topic. Inspired, Dayton proposes a new idea: That’s No Moon: The Science Behind Fantastic Takes on the Moon and Stars (and Other Stuff)—a nonfiction book that examines how popular media interprets space science, from the Death Star to lunar folklore.

Dayton’s publisher greenlights the project, and early reviews of the sample chapters generate positive buzz. The book launches with moderate success, supported by a podcast-heavy media tour. However, as soon as the moon inexplicably transforms into cheese, Dayton suddenly becomes an authority figure on lunar matters. Aubrey sends him an updated itinerary packed with major media interviews, including CBS, NPR, and Good Morning America. The book skyrockets to the top of Amazon’s bestseller list as the public scrambles for any explanation for the moon’s changes.

When Dayton speaks at Columbia University, he acknowledges that he cannot explain the moon’s transformation. However, he outlines the evidence supporting the