Astronaut Buzz Aldrin decends from the Lunar Module --- Courtesy: NASA

USA astronaut Neil Armstrong said those exact words 43 years ago, July 20, 1969.  On that day, millions around the world watched as Armstrong took his first steps on the moon, the first person in history.  He was followed by astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin.  Of course, we cannot forget Michael Collins, the third astronaut who didn’t step on the moon, but provided support through the command module.  Together, these three men of Apollo 11 fufilled a dream, and a challenge, set forth by President Kennedy.

“We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win . . . ”

President John F. Kennedy, September 12, 1962

Kennedy’s challenge would lead to six more Apollo missions, five successful.  The project ended after Apollo 17 astronauts Harrison Schmitt and Eugene Cernan completed their moon mission in December 1972.  Since then, no one has been back.

Crater 308 on the Moon --- Courtesy: NASA

There is a lot of discussion among politicans and the public regarding whether or not to return to the moon.  One theory is the USA will return sometime around 2025 or 2030 as a first step, before going on a manned mission to Mars.  Of course, there are a lot of years between now and then, and with money tight right now, who knows what will happen.  It is still intriguing to me, knowing there is so much undiscovered outside of this world.  What could we find?  Satellites, rovers and telescopes do not even “scrape the surface.”

Check out the NASA website for a lot of cool information on the Apollo 11 anniversary and upcoming space events.  And, if you have any questions, I would be more than happy to answer them or find the information for you.  Until then, thanks for reading and stay tuned for more from Beyond the Forecast… 

Posted under Hometown Weather, Weather, Weblogs

Courtesy: NASA

The world was buzzing over a rare solar eclipse Sunday, drawing billions of onlookers from Asia to the southwest United States.  For just a few minutes, the moon passed in front of the sun, darkening the Earth and providing a beautiful sight.  While most understand how an eclipse works, only some know it was the combo of an eclipse and a science genius that pushed our understanding to new levels. 

In late 1919, Albert Einstein immediately gained popularity after he proved, with the help of a total solar eclipse, light was affected by gravity.  This opened the door to what’s known as “general relativity.”  The Big Bang theory, black holes, and the concept of time travel are all related to “general relativity.”  Einstein’s ground-breaking work built the frame for modern scientists.  Had it not been for an eclipse and Einstein’s dedication to science, we could be living in an entirely different world, in theory and reality.

Professor Alan Lightman of MIT wrote an excellent piece on how the 1919 solar eclipse inspired Einstein and changed our understanding of science.  Please click HERE to read more!  Very neat!

Stay tuned for more from Beyond the Forecast…

Posted under Hometown Weather, Weather, Weblogs