The moon has forever fascinated humans, influencing mythology, song, art and scientific observation. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission that took men to the moon, and NASA recently announced plans to send astronauts back. All eyes are on the sky, contemplating our closest celestial neighbor. If you want to get to know the moon more closely than 238,900 miles away, here are some ways you can celebrate the anniversary of Apollo 11 and get a lunar experience here on Earth.
Museum of the Moon
Get up close and personal to the moon. Museum of the Moon. Created by UK artist Luke Jerome, this touring exhibition allows you to see the moon in more detail than ever before. Using NASA photographs, Jerram created a 1:500,000 spherical, self-illuminating scale model of the moon that allows visitors to walk completely around the moon and see every fascinating detail.
As a touring exhibit with several moons on display, the Moon Museum’s upcoming tour dates include The Houston Museum of Natural Science, London’s Natural History Museum and The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, among many others.
Make the craters of the moon a national monument and preserve.
If you want to imagine what a trip to the moon might actually be like, Make the craters of the moon a national monument and preserve. Idaho is the place to visit.
Craters of the Moon first gained national attention in a 1924 issue. National Geographic, when an early visitor remarked that its geological features resembled the barren, rugged surface of the moon. It was protected as a national monument that same year, and travelers still come to see the strange basalt and lava formations that cover the region.
In 1969, NASA even used the site as a training ground for astronauts going to the moon to better prepare for their missions. It wasn’t until 2017 that Craters of the Moon was also recognized for its pristine dark skies, earning International Dark Sky Association Dark Sky Park certification.
Read more: Which US Dark Sky Park is Right for You?
Space Camp
If you dream of one day personally going to the moon, you will need training. Space Camp, located in Huntsville, Alabama, is the perfect place for us to train non-astronauts and get a sense of what it might be like to go into space. Space Camp is open to prospective astronauts ages 9-18, as well as special camps year-round for families, adults, and even corporate groups. Space camp activities focus on mission simulations and give you an astronaut training experience – physically and mentally.
One such experiment is the 1/6th gravity chair, which simulates the gravity of the moon. You’ll strap into a chair attached to a system of pulleys and springs that allow you to bounce, jump, spin, and step on a lunar-like surface to relive what astronauts experienced after taking their first steps on the moon. .
Don’t miss the rest of the US Space and Rocket Center during your visit. You can see other artificial lunar scenes and explore the Davidson Center for Space Exploration’s Saturn V Hall, where you can walk end-to-end under a Saturn V rocket, a lunar lander, a moon rock, and even You can also see the Apollo 16 command module. , which took astronauts to the moon in 1972.
Read more: How to Experience a Rocket Launch at Florida’s Space Coast
Adler Planetarium
If you live in an urban area with light pollution that makes it difficult to even see the moon, the planet offers an opportunity to see the night sky and celestial objects up close and personal. Most planetariums have a show that focuses on the current night sky to help you learn about the positions of the stars and the moon. Some have special shows that focus specifically on the moon.
One such planetarium is the Adler Planetarium in Chicago. Located on North Island on the shores of Lake Michigan, Adler offers visitors much more than can be seen in its planetarium dome. Exhibits throughout Adler teach about our sun, our solar system, and beyond. In Sayara, you can watch shows on a variety of topics, including a show called Imagine the moon. which explores the role of the moon in our lives.
Outside the Chicago area, check with Your local planet To see what shows they offer.
Read more: Otherworldly adventures for aspiring astronauts
McDonald Observatory
Under the wide open skies above West Texas, the University of Texas at Austin operates the McDonald Observatory with its telescopes and instruments, watching the night sky and welcoming visitors day and night. While most telescopes are measured in centimeters, McDonald Observatory has three permanent telescopes larger than two meters in diameter: the 10-meter Hobby-Eberly Telescope, the 2.7-meter Harlan J. Smith Telescope, and the 2.1-meter Otto Straw telescope. Together, these three make the observatory one of the most powerful in the region.
What makes Macdonald Observatory special for moon lovers is its speciality. Lunar Viewing Program. During these special events, lunar visitors will learn about the moon’s formation, then observe important formations and locations on the lunar surface – including the Apollo landing sites.
It is a three-hour drive from El Paso, the nearest major city, and the airport to McDonald Observatory. The observatory also offers overnight accommodation in an onsite ‘Astronomer’s Lodge’, available on a first-come, first-served basis.