During IYA2009, the world celebrates 40 years since the Moon landings

17 July 2009

When thinking about pivotal moments in the history of mankind, the Moon landings of 1969 will be at the top of many people's lists. It was the first time that we had left the planet Earth and set foot on a different world. People from all nations joined together to watch the spectacle as history was made.

40 years on, the impact of this momentous occasion is still being felt. It is fitting that the anniversary falls within the International Year of Astronomy 2009, as the Apollo 11 mission of 1969 popularised astronomy and brought it to the forefront of people's minds, much as IYA2009 itself aims to do.

To celebrate the Moon landing anniversary, a great many events and activities are being planned. Local astronomy groups are an excellent place to find out what is happening near you, as is your IYA2009 national node, a list of which can be found here: http://www.astronomy2009.org/organisation/nodes/national/

As an example of an IYA2009 Moon landing anniversary event, Puerto Rico is hosting a discussion panel entitled: "We came in Peace for all Mankind" to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission. The conversation will focus on how this event was covered in Puerto Rico and the impact on humanity from the spiritual, scientific, social and media points of view.

The public will have the opportunity to ask and discuss with this group of Experts, and the entire activity is free of charge. More information is available online:

http://www.astronomy2009pr.org/Apollo11.html

NASA is understandably proud of this 40 year mark, and as such have prepared some special features that anyone with a computer and internet connection has enjoy. A media briefing was held at 11am EDT on 16 July, where greatly improved video imagery from the July 1969 live broadcast of the Apollo 11 moonwalk was released. It features 15 key moments from Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin's moonwalk, in high quality. To allow the public to see these videos as soon as they were released, the conference was broadcast live on NASA TV: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

NASA is also streaming audio from the Apollo 11 mission at exactly the same time and date it was broadcast in 1969. It began at 6:32am on 16 July, and continues until "splashdown" at 11:51am on 24 July. This audio timecapsule is available here: http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/apollo11_radio

A new interactive website has been made to involve people in the anniversary. Using real footage, users can tour the Apollo 11 landing site and learn about the most important aspects. The site's address is: http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/apollo11_landing/index.html

Two more NASA sites provide additional information. Historical information about Apollo 11 is catered for by http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/history/apollo/apollo11, while NASA's Apollo 40th anniversary Web site provides easy access to various agency resources and multimedia about the programme and the history of human spaceflight, including a gallery of Apollo multimedia features: http://www.nasa.gov/apollo40th

Lunar observations have already featured in IYA2009. The Malta Committee organised a project called Moon For All Mankind, where astrophotographers from 40 countries - one for each year since the Apollo 11 landing - contributed images toward a mosaic of the Moon. See the map here: http://iya2009malta.page.tl/The-moon-for-all-mankind.htm

40 years ago the Moon landings inspired millions to look up at the Moon in wonder. Now in 2009, its legacy will mean that many more gaze at the night sky, thinking about our history in the Solar System, and future among the stars.

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