Shoot for the moon
Celebrate Apollo 11 mission and Arizona’s role in it this month
On July 20, 1969, we gathered around the television to watch man walk on the moon. Arizona even played a part, as Apollo astronauts trained for the landing in volcanic cinder fields outside Flagstaff. Now, as the 50th anniversary approaches, here is a list of events that celebrate one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
Hard as it may be to believe, there was a time when events went viral without so much as a tweet, an Instagram post of Facebook share.
Take July 20, 1969, when a nation gathered around boxy TVs to watch a space-suited man awkwardly descend a ladder. The images were grainy and at times hard to make out, as if the signal was coming from the moon.
Because it was coming from the freaking moon.
The Apollo 11 moon landing, which allowed man tread on ground that was not Earth, captivated the United States and the world. The mission was undertaken using computers far less powerful than those that now fit in a back pocket.
Arizona even played a part in the landing, as Apollo astronauts trained for the landing in volcanic cinder fields outside Flagstaff.
There is no better time to look back on the seminal moment than the 50th anniversary of the day when Neil Armstrong, followed by Buzz Aldrin, took a short walk 239,000 miles from Earth.
Here are some notable events in Phoenix and around Arizona that celebrate the Apollo 11 moon landing.
Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Live Webcast
Gather at Homolovi State Park to watch a webcast that will guide viewers through the steps required to launch mankind to the moon and back. Sponsored in part by the American Museum of Natural History, the webcast goes behind the scenes to tell a story that remains as remarkable today as it was a half-century ago. You may also watch the webcast at home on YouTube. When: 1 p.m. Saturday, July 15. Where: Homolovi State Park, 3 miles north of Winslow off State Route 87. Admission: $7 per vehicle. Details: azstateparks.com/homolovi.
Apollo 11 Mission 50th Anniversary Celebration Movie Night
Meet and mingle with those behind Arizona State University’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera, then enjoy a screening of “Apollo 11,” a newly released documentary on the historic mission. The ASU team is analyzing images from the camera to identify potential landing sites for future missions.
When: 5:30 p.m. (reception) and 6:35 p.m. (screening), Wednesday, July 17.
Where: Marston Exploration Theater, near Rural and Terrace roads on the ASU Tempe campus.
Admission: Free; registration recommended.
Details: asuevents.asu.edu.
Apollo 11 Family Celebration
The Arizona Science Center’s Blue Crew leads visitors through a variety of science-based activities, from coding their names to launching a stomp rocket. Activities and demonstrations also include dry-ice comets, impact craters, solar art and more.
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, July 20.
Where: Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix. Admission: $18, $13 for ages 3-17. Details: www.azscience.org.
One Giant Leap Day
Flandreau Science Center and Planetarium at the University of Arizona spearheads a day filled with moonbased activities and presentations. The planetarium hosts shows every hour on the hour from noon-9 p.m., concluding with “Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon Laser Show.” Special lunar activities and exhibits also will unfold at the university’s Planetary and Lunar Laboratory, a short walk from Flandreau.
When: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, July 20.
Where: Flandreau Science Center and Planetarium, 1601 E. University Blvd., Tucson.
Admission: $5, plus additional $5 per planetarium show.
Details: flandrau.org.
‘For All Mankind’
See a special screening of the 1989 documentary “For All Mankind.” Using official NASA footage, the film documents the Apollo space program from 1969 to 1972. The presentation features speaker Bill Boynton from the University of Arizona’s Planetary and Lunar Laboratory.
When: 2 p.m. Saturday, July 20. Where: The Loft Cinema, 3233 E Speedway Blvd., Tucson.
Admission: $6.75-$7.25.
Details: loftcinema.org.
50th Anniversary at Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
The museum hosts geologist Amanda Stadermann of UofA’s Planetary and Lunar Laboratory. The expert on lunar geology will offer a 45-minute presentation, “What It’s Like to Send a NASA Mission to the Moon, and Where to Go if You Did.” Stadermann will explore potential landing sights, including one that features a lava-tube skylight. When: 8 p.m. Saturday, July 20. Where: Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road, Tucson.
Admission: $8.95-$21.95, free for age 2 and younger.
Details: www.desertmuseum.org.
Arizona Diamondbacks Space Night
Raytheon partners with Arizona’s universities for space-related exhibits and demonstrations. As a bonus, 20,000 fans will receive a Nick “Man on the Moon” Ahmed bobblehead as the Arizona Diamondbacks host the Milwaukee Brewers.
When: 5:10 p.m. Saturday, July 20. Where: Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix.
Admission: Tickets start at $25. Details: www.mlb.com/dbacks.