One giant leap

Celebrating 50 years since the moon landing

20 July marks 50 years since the first Moon landing, and celebrations are underway on both sides of the Atlantic

Texas

Space Center Houston is aiming for the stars with nine days of celebratory events, including pop-up Apollo 11-themed science labs, screenings, expert talks, mission briefings for the Moon shot, an evening with an Apollo flight director and behind-thescenes tours of the Apollo Mission Control Center. 16-24 July. spacecenter.org/apollo-50

Cheshire

The home of British astronomy, Jodrell Bank, is reliving the Apollo 11 mission in real time as part of the Bluedot Festival, using video and audio captured by its telescope. Britain’s first astronaut, Helen Sharman, will also be giving a talk on her eight days aboard Mir space station in 1991. 18-21 July. discoverthebluedot.com

Florida

Celebrate the Apollo programme where it — literally — took off. The Kennedy Space Center’s full summer of events include a recreation of the launch and a reopening of the Apollo/Saturn V Center (a museum whose centrepiece is a restored Saturn V launch vehicle). kennedyspacecenter.com

London

The after-dark Moon Festival (19-26 July) is marking the occasion with Moon-themed art exhibitions, lectures and screenings and even a club night beneath the Cutty Sark. At the Barbican Centre, meanwhile, the London Contemporary Orchestra will be performing Clint Mansell’s score from 2009 sci-fi flick Moon side by side with a screening. 19 July. moonfestival.co.uk barbican.org