To the Moon: A Look at NASA’s Lunar Impact Mission and the History of Moon Exploration
A Talk with Space Historian Andrew Chaikin
Sunday, September 27, 2009
McBean Theater, 2pm

Take a trip to our nearest neighbor in space with renowned science journalist and space historian Andrew Chaikin on Sunday, September 27 at 2pm in the Exploratorium’s McBean Theater. Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing, Chaikin’s talk will introduce the past, present, and future of lunar exploration and include a visual tour of the moon’s surface—from Apollo landing sites to the planned Lunar Impact point. Relive the achievements of Apollo lunar astronauts and learn about the ambitious LCROSS (Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite) mission, which will send a rocket crashing into the moon’s permanently shadowed regions to kick up huge plumes of debris in the hopes of uncovering deposits of ice. In addition, Exploratorium physicists will give an entertaining and interactive overview of moon science. This event if included in the price of admission to the Exploratorium.

Andrew Chaikin has authored books and articles about space exploration and astronomy for more than 25 years, including A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts. He is a commentator for National Public Radio’s Morning Edition, and is a frequent guest on CNN. Before becoming a science journalist, he served on the Viking missions to Mars at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and was a researcher at the Smithsonian’s Center for Earth and Planetary Studies.