On June 18, 1178, when five Canterbury monks looked up at the sky, they witnessed a phenomenon that would remain in their memory forever. As they observed the new crescent moon, they suddenly noticed its upper part splitting and bright light-like torch flames shooting out from the central part. This extraordinary spectacle, which lasted for a while, ended when the entire crescent moon turned black.
The records of the monk Gervase of Christ Church Abbey provide us with a detailed account of this extraordinary event. His account tells how the moon "trembled like a wounded snake" and how this phenomenon repeated itself many times before suddenly disappearing.
But what really happened that evening? Was it a natural phenomenon or something more mysterious?
Some experts suggest that the observed phenomenon could have been the result of a meteorite falling on the lunar surface. The bright flash may have been the result of an impact that shattered the crescent. Other scientists believe it may have been caused by an outburst of gas from the Moon's interior, which could have caused flares and sparks. Still, others speculate that it may have been an earthquake on the Moon that cracked its surface.
While these theories are fascinating, we still lack concrete evidence to support one of these explanations. What is certain is that the observation of the Canterbury monks was a unique event that still attracted attention and aroused interest among both scientists and astronomy enthusiasts. The Moon, this satellite close to us, still hides many secrets waiting to be discovered.
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