Apollo 11 Moon Landing 40th Anniversary Events
Tuesday June 30, 2009
Millions of people across the globe watched as two men landed on the moon for the first time on July 20, 1969. The National Air and Space Museum is commemorating this defining moment in space exploration with several 40th anniversary-related programs including astronaut appearances, book signings, the opening of an art exhibit and gallery talks by the museum’s Space History curators. All events are free.
- “Ask an Expert” Talks - Every Wednesday in July at noon museum curators will discuss a topic related to the Apollo 11 Moon landing. Talks last 15-30 minutes and offer visitors an opportunity for give-and-take with space exploration experts.
- “Countdown to the Moon!” Family Day - Thursday, July 16; 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Visitors will interact one-on-one with scientists active in Moon research and mission planning, participate in hands-on activities; learn about lunar geology and meet museum geologists who are working on potential landing sites for human and robotic exploration; see 3-D and HD images of the Moon’s surface; and learn about lunar missions past, present, and future.
- Exhibit Opening: “Alan Bean: Painting Apollo, First Artist on Another World” - Thursday, July 16; 10 a.m. This will be the largest exhibition of paintings by American artist and Apollo 12 astronaut, Alan Bean, approximately 40 original paintings and drawings will be featured. The show will enable viewers to experience a world 238,000 miles away through the eyes of the only artist to walk on the lunar surface. Alan Bean will be signing his new book in the gallery from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Meet the Filmmaker and DVD Signing: “Alan Bean: Artist Astronaut” documentary by Jeffrey Roth - Saturday, July 18, and Sun., July 19; 4 - 5:30 p.m.
Jeffrey Roth will sign copies of his documentary about Alan Bean. The film explores why Bean left NASA to make his Apollo-inspired artwork, using footage shot inside Bean’s workshop and photos of the Apollo-era tools he uses to add texture to his paintings.
- Meet the Author and Book Signings - Saturday, July 18, noon - 2 p.m. - : “Spacesuits: The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Collection” by Amanda Young and Mark Avino. Sunday, July 19, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Apollo Astronauts: Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, Michael Collins “Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home from the Moon” by Apollo 11 Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, “Painting Apollo” by Apollo 12 Astronaut Alan Bean, 40th Anniversary Edition of “Carrying the Fire: An Astronaut's Journeys” by Apollo 11 Astronaut Michael Collins.
- Annual John H. Glenn Lecture “40th Anniversary of Apollo 11” - Sunday, July 19, 8 p.m. NASM welcomes the Apollo 11 crew, as well as Mission Control creator and former Johnson Space Center director Chris Kraft as the speakers for the Museum’s 2009 John H. Glenn lecture in space history.
- Flights of Fancy—Stories for Children: “Moon Plane” by Peter McCarty - Every Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. “Moon Plane” is the story of a young boy who sees an airplane overhead and imagines himself in it, traveling all the way to the Moon. Recommended for children ages 3-7. An art activity follows the story.
© Smithsonian Institution
Comments
Rachel, thanks for the info on the Apollo 11 40th Anniversary. I will flying all the way from the United Arab Emirates to be at the NASM on Jul 19th. Do you know how I can get to attend the John Glenn Lecture and also the book signing sessions? Are these both open to the general public, can I but tickets or how?
The events are free and no tickets are required. For more information, see: http://www.nasm.si.edu/events/apollo11/apollo11events.cfm
I made a film called DID WE GO?
I was paid $65,000 from the State of Ohio to try and prove we really landed on the moon.
I traveled all over OHIO trying to get Neil to talk…he will not talk to anyone.
Here is link to my film on youtube. It opens with me on WLW-AM Radio in Ohio, trying to reach out to Neil
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM3Mt1Vym3g
please share this link
Hi,
I have just discovered this amazing documentary that was made in 1969 of the Apollo 11 space mission! It is a truly exciting story! The original director, Theo Kamecke, was the only civilian at the time to get an inside look at the space mission, and consequently created a time capsule of the 1960s.
Forty years later, it turns out he has the only pristine copy of the original 35mm film. He has since re-mastered it to a high-definition film that provides for an excellent view of society at the time and the mission itself!
Make sure to get your copy in time for the 40th anniversary of man walking on the moon! I got my copy at http://www.amazon.com, and you can also order it at http://www.amazon.co.uk and http://www.moonwalk.com. It is great for space enthusiasts, students, and teachers!
Best wishes,
Lauren
Has anyone seen the documentary film Moonwalk One – The Director’s Cut?
I think this is a truly authentic view of what took place 40 years ago. Plus it’s a 2 disc DVD set, so well worth the money.
The main feature (107 mins) is of the 1969 documentary film never seen by the public before and originally commissioned by NASA to capture the celebrated Apollo 11 space mission of man walking on the moon.
The only surviving 35mm print of the original 1969 Moonwalk One has been restored to produce a fantastic 16:9 Widescreen version and original full frame 4:3 version with a new 5.1 sound mix with a full length Director’s commentary and various added bonus features.
Theo Kamecke (Original 1969 Director) recently travelled to England to make final edits to his 40 year old master piece and whilst he was here he said; “They asked me to make a ‘time capsule’ of an event that I saw as a landmark in human history, and so I did. I tried to capture the mood and feelings on earth as we left it, not just the technological achievement. I wanted to make it like a tale told beside a campfire of that time when we first walked on another world.”
Due to the huge global demand for what is considered to be the most unique and authentic Apollo 11 movie products available today, it is expected hundreds of thousands of people from around the world will purchase the DVD in time for the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 space mission from moonwalkone.com, amazon.com and amazon.co.uk retailing at £19.99 ($33 US Dollars). The MOONWALK ONE HOTLINE Tel: +44 (0)845 053 0323 has been set up to take phone orders too.
Best wishes!
Lauren
Hi,
I just found this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdaBwh20nIk) about the
tecnology NASA used on the moon landing. And I thought that would be
interesting. It’s a new tv show for celebrating the 40th anniversary of moon
landing.
for you.
Hope you enjoy!
Best regards,
FPM
The day Earth shined bright – 20 July 1969
When down that ladder Armstrong came
and paused before that step of fame
we held our breath a moment deep
before mankind would take that leap
What did you feel that July night
as witness to that unique sight
when TV beamed mans giant leap
back home to us on sofa seat
It was unreal – to share this sight
and to compare grandparents “flight”
when cars and the electric light
had first appeared – with Brothers’ Wright
And now few decades from that start
Apollo used 5 million moving parts
to reach this dream for man so bright
with “Can do” spirit at its height
Unreal and real with no big tears
as Sixties man raced through his fears
of change which flew in his story
and moved his spirit – you and me
And with the moon now in our sight
there rose a Sixties joy so bright
Beach Boys – Beatles music everywhere
- creative tumult in the air
Who can forget that sharp new feel
when flower power was the fresh appeal
to universal youth and high ideal
when Sgt Pepper and a Whiter shade of pale were real
And this great Transatlantic energy
which moved a Mayflower and a Kennedy
to build this land where man was free
now led mankind to this new peak of liberty
Now as we shared this TV sight
and man walked on the moon that night
we saw a new discovery
our Earthrise in great majesty
(PS After writing this and walking out into the sunny street -Serendipity!
A Ford Mustang drives by with 4 smiling faces open top and free
flying the biggest Stars and Stripes that one could see
on Princes Way to Wimbledon and right in front of me)
Bernard – 4 July 2009
bernardmarshall@hotmail.com
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