Monday, July 20, 2009

Photo of the Week - Moon Landing 40th Anniversary (Washington DC, USA)


Not far from the US Capitol is one of the world's finest displays of air and space objects. Among the Smithsonian's staggering collection of aircraft, rocketships and spacecraft is an original lunar module as used to get the Apollo astronauts from their main craft to the moon's surface and back again (only the top portion is used for the return journey).

I recall being sent home from school as a young child to view the first landing on the moon live on black and white television. It seems appropriate for this image to be photo of the week on this the fortieth annivesary of first landing a human on the moon.

Source: NASA

6 comments:

Anil said...

I think the Air & Space Museum is my favorite in DC. It really brings out the little kid explorer in me.

Heather Dugan ("Footsteps") said...

What terrific memories this brings! Dad dragged my sleepy sisters and I out of bed to watch the first moon walk. -So glad he did, although we complained a little at the time.
 
At school, they used to bring in a TV every time there was a launch or splashdown, and we watched them all. Watching the astronauts then walk into quarantine, I thought they were the bravest men alive.

Unknown said...

40 years was such a long time ago...it's time to hit up MARS!!!

Mark H said...

@anil: One of the best museums I've ever been to.

@heather: It was afternoon in Brisbane and I can still vaguely recall the excitement that people had. I was too young to really get the whole importance but it was a staggering achievement when you think that a normal PC is more powerful than the compuetrs they had on board back then.

@john: I'm with you. I'd rather see them land on Mars and re-land on the Moon. Somehow the moon wouldn't seem that special to me almost 50 years after they first achieved it.

Debo Hobo said...

If you get a chance to get to Houston there is a really great center there.

Mark H said...

@debo hobo: I've never been to Houston but sounds good. Orlando also has a good display at the NASA site there.

 
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