The first science fiction film, the short Voyage to the Moon (George Méliès, 1902 ), is in the public domain and can be viewed at http://archive.org/details/Levoyagedanslalune (a newer, digitized version was released in 2011 ). Where do the "Selenians" live on the Moon? In this first cinematic depiction of contact with life from outside of Earth, what do the human astronomers do to the Selenians? Contrast what the astronomers in the film find on the Moon with what the Apollo astronauts actually saw.

The film 'Voyage to the Moon' by George Méliès, released in 1902, is recognized as the first science fiction movie. It's a fascinating piece that has greatly influenced the genre.

In the film, the story revolves around a group of human astronomers who travel to the Moon. Once they land, they begin to explore and encounter the Moon's indigenous inhabitants known as 'Selenians'.

This early depiction of space travel is filled with imaginative elements. The Selenians are strange creatures, residing inside the Moon. When the astronomers meet them, they react with violence, showcasing a confrontational approach to alien life.

Analyzing this film helps us understand early sci-fi interpretations of space and the Moon, a stark contrast to later more scientific portrayals.

The Selenians in 'Voyage to the Moon' are depicted as the Moon's mysterious inhabitants. They live inside vast caverns within the lunar landscape.

The characterization of these Selenians is quite fascinating. They are portrayed as somewhat humanoid but very alien in their movements and appearance. These creatures are agile and can disappear in a puff of smoke when threatened.

It is important to note the human astronauts' reaction to them. Rather than attempting to communicate or understand these beings, the astronomers choose to fight and kill many of them. This behavior reflects a primitive perspective towards extraterrestrial life, rooted in fear and aggression.

By analyzing this, we can see how early science fiction often depicted alien life as something to be conquered, rather than understood and respected.

Contrastingly, when we examine the real Apollo missions conducted by NASA from 1969 to 1972, a much different picture of lunar exploration emerges.

The Apollo astronauts did not encounter any form of life on the Moon. Instead, their missions focused on scientific exploration and collection of lunar samples.

Unlike the hostile actions toward the Selenians in 'Voyage to the Moon,' the Apollo missions were characterized by deliberate and respectful study. The astronauts documented various lunar features and collected moon rocks and soil to bring back to Earth for analysis.

This scientific approach provided valuable insights into the Moon's composition and history, which contributes to our understanding of the broader cosmos.

By comparing the fictional 'Voyage to the Moon' with the factual Apollo missions, we can see an evolution in how humans envision and conduct space exploration, moving from fictional conquests to peaceful, scientific discovery.