Moon Landings
Some personal notes I compiled to help with my interview on BBC Radio Jersey on 17 July 2019.
Some personal notes I compiled to help with my interview on BBC Radio Jersey on 17 July 2019.
Do you remember the moon landing? (July 16, 1969 – July 24, 1969)
In the early hours of the morning, my father woke me up, and we went downstairs to watch our grainy 425 lines black and white TV set, and I saw the moment when Neil Armstrong stepped onto the Moon's surface, in the Sea of Tranquility. This I have found out was at 02.56 GMT, nearly 20 minutes after first opening the hatch on the Eagle landing craft. That would have been nearly 4 am with British Summer Time. I remember being disappointed at the time at the poor quality of the pictures, but of course much better shots came later.
I also kept a scrap book, sadly lost, and I remember the graphic for the radio from the moon to the telephone at the White House, when President Nixon made a historic phone call to the astronauts on the moon. That telephone was just the same as ours, and the idea that an astronaut could “call home” to an ordinary telephone – the grey ones with dials - seemed pretty amazing.
What did that mission do for people’s interest in space?
I think it brought it very much to the forefront. I certainly had some astronomy books for my birthday. But I also think that for many people it was also something of a one-off, like the Coronation of Elizabeth I, which is why public interest waned as the Apollo programme went on. It was like watching a Coronation every year, somehow not as special as that first time – until the ill-fated Apollo 13, of course.
I think it brought it very much to the forefront. I certainly had some astronomy books for my birthday. But I also think that for many people it was also something of a one-off, like the Coronation of Elizabeth I, which is why public interest waned as the Apollo programme went on. It was like watching a Coronation every year, somehow not as special as that first time – until the ill-fated Apollo 13, of course.
How did your own interest develop?
I think the whole of the late 60s and early 70s were an exciting time of scientific change. Harold Wilson had announced the “white hot technological revolution”. The space program road the crest of that wave of interest in science, and certainly inspired amateur astronomers.
But there were lots of other science programmes – Horizon, QED, Don’t Ask Me with Magnus Pyke, Tomorrow’s World with James Burke and Raymond Baxter. Dr Who became more hard science, and programmes like Doomwatch looked at the environmental dangers of technology. Early computers were just beginning. In the mid1970s, just as the moon landings were ending, I was with students going to Highlands on a Friday evening to link via a Teletype to a Honeywell Mainframe in Manchester.
I think the whole of the late 60s and early 70s were an exciting time of scientific change. Harold Wilson had announced the “white hot technological revolution”. The space program road the crest of that wave of interest in science, and certainly inspired amateur astronomers.
But there were lots of other science programmes – Horizon, QED, Don’t Ask Me with Magnus Pyke, Tomorrow’s World with James Burke and Raymond Baxter. Dr Who became more hard science, and programmes like Doomwatch looked at the environmental dangers of technology. Early computers were just beginning. In the mid1970s, just as the moon landings were ending, I was with students going to Highlands on a Friday evening to link via a Teletype to a Honeywell Mainframe in Manchester.
What do you make of the claims that the moon landing was faked?
The idea made a fun Hollywood movie, but it really doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. Conspiracy theories get everywhere though – the Earth is Hollow, there are secret X-Files about aliens, ancient astronauts built Stonehenge and the Pyramids using antigravity. You name it, someone has a crackpot theory.
One of the best refutations came from a radio ham in the USA who listened in to the VHF signals transmitted between astronauts Armstrong, Aldrin and Collin. He had to keep realigning his antenna because of course the moon was moving in the night sky. That’s something anyone with a telescope sees too. I think that’s pretty solid independent proof.
The idea made a fun Hollywood movie, but it really doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. Conspiracy theories get everywhere though – the Earth is Hollow, there are secret X-Files about aliens, ancient astronauts built Stonehenge and the Pyramids using antigravity. You name it, someone has a crackpot theory.
One of the best refutations came from a radio ham in the USA who listened in to the VHF signals transmitted between astronauts Armstrong, Aldrin and Collin. He had to keep realigning his antenna because of course the moon was moving in the night sky. That’s something anyone with a telescope sees too. I think that’s pretty solid independent proof.
Are you disappointed that we stopped going to the moon?
I’m disappointed that they never put Moonbases on the moon. You can’t keep going back and forth – it’s about 240,000 miles for a trip! you need structures with hydroponics and a proper base. There was a show called Moonbase 3 around this time with James Burke as special advisor which presented it in a very realistic way. I’m sad that never happened. It would have been a stepping stone to Mars. But China’s recent experiments with plants on the far side of the moon suggests they may be thinking of establishing a moon colony sometime.
I’m disappointed that they never put Moonbases on the moon. You can’t keep going back and forth – it’s about 240,000 miles for a trip! you need structures with hydroponics and a proper base. There was a show called Moonbase 3 around this time with James Burke as special advisor which presented it in a very realistic way. I’m sad that never happened. It would have been a stepping stone to Mars. But China’s recent experiments with plants on the far side of the moon suggests they may be thinking of establishing a moon colony sometime.
Why did that happen?
The moon landings were always mostly political not scientific, although obviously they involved scientists. It was a mark of superior American technology, to show the Soviets, who had led the space race to that point, that America could do it better. Once that was established without a doubt, the funding was cut for other defence projects. About 400,000 people worked on the moon landing programme, at a cost at the time of $25bn. China is now trying to get to the moon, and again, it is mainly political. It’s saying “we are a major world power”.
The moon landings were always mostly political not scientific, although obviously they involved scientists. It was a mark of superior American technology, to show the Soviets, who had led the space race to that point, that America could do it better. Once that was established without a doubt, the funding was cut for other defence projects. About 400,000 people worked on the moon landing programme, at a cost at the time of $25bn. China is now trying to get to the moon, and again, it is mainly political. It’s saying “we are a major world power”.
Can you see objects humans have sent into space through telescopes?
Not that well at all! They can be seen better with the naked eye because of the field of view. Imagine trying to read a book with a microscope and find a fullstop. It would be tricky!
Not that well at all! They can be seen better with the naked eye because of the field of view. Imagine trying to read a book with a microscope and find a fullstop. It would be tricky!
Do you take photos of space at the astronomy club?
Neil Mahrer, who’s our founder, takes photos – very nice ones of things like star clusters, Jupiter and its moons, and Saturn and its rings.
Neil Mahrer, who’s our founder, takes photos – very nice ones of things like star clusters, Jupiter and its moons, and Saturn and its rings.
What’s the most incredible thing you’ve seen through a telescope?
I think it has to be Jupiter. The bands, the red spot, and like tiny specs of diamond, the four Galilean moons. It’s amazing. Although Saturn and its rings is also awesome.
I think it has to be Jupiter. The bands, the red spot, and like tiny specs of diamond, the four Galilean moons. It’s amazing. Although Saturn and its rings is also awesome.
Would you ever go into space?
I’m too old, and I hate flying anyway! If I could hop in a Tardis now, that would be another matter!
I’m too old, and I hate flying anyway! If I could hop in a Tardis now, that would be another matter!
What do you make of the private sectors space endeavours? Space X etc?
It’s exciting, especially Space –X. That seems more reliable that Richard Branson’s efforts which looks more like something that just skims above the top of the atmosphere. It’s a show for tourists, whereas Space-X has commercial possibilities regarding the International Space Station, satellites etc.
Odd Facts:
Buzz Aldrin’s mother’s maiden name was Moon!
Recommended:
“First Man” is a fantastic movie, and I’d totally recommend that. Just as Dunkirk gave you that camera present point of view of that moment in history, so “First Man” does the same with the moon landings.
Apollo 13 is also a superb depiction of that time of crisis.
Did you know?
The original BBC commentary at blast off has mostly been wiped, part of a purge of expensive videotape at the BBC in the 1980s
Odd Facts
1. Saturn V is still the largest and most powerful rocket ever built
Standing at more than 100m (363ft), the Saturn V rocket burned some 20 tonnes of fuel a second at launch. Propellant accounted for 85% of its overall weight.
Saturn V weighed 2,800 tonnes and generated 34.5m Newtons (7.7m pounds) of thrust at launch.
That's enough to lift 130 tonnes into Earth orbit, and send 43 tonnes to the Moon - the equivalent weight of almost four London buses.
2. Apollo's crew compartment was about the same size as a large car
Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins spent eight days together travelling about half a million miles to the Moon and back in a space roughly the size of a large car.
The astronauts were strapped into bench-like "couches" during launch and landing in the Command Module, which measured 3.9m (12.8ft) at its widest point.
It was no place for the claustrophobic.
3. African-American women skilled in maths helped to work out the route to the Moon
In the pre-digital age, Nasa employed a large number of female mathematicians as "human computers". Many were African-Americans.
4. No-one knows where the Apollo 11 module is now
A total of 10 lunar modules were sent into space and six landed humans on the moon. Once used, the ascent stages of the capsules were jettisoned and either crash-landed on the moon, burned up in Earth's atmosphere, or - in one instance - went into orbit around the Sun. But where exactly they ended up is not known in every case.
Useful Facts and Figures
The Apollo 11 Moon landing happened on July 20 1969. Many people all around the world watched it live on TV, even late into the night. These people gathered to watch on a screen in Trafalgar Square, London.
By the time the crew landed back on Earth, the mission had taken just over a week: 8 days, 3 hours, 18 minutes, 35 seconds.
The average distance is about 240,000 miles. The true distance between the Earth and the Moon actually changes depending on their rotation - the orbit is not a perfect circle. When the Moon is the furthest away, it’s 252,088 miles away. When it's closest, the Moon is 225,623 miles away.
The three parts of the spaceship that went on the Moon mission were the Command Module Columbia, where the astronauts lived and worked; the Service Module which contained the food, oxygen and water tanks; and "Eagle" - the Lander which detached from Columbia and went down to the Moon's surface.
The rocket that took the Nasa astronauts to the Moon was called Saturn V. Saturn V stood 363 feet (110 meters) high - taller than the Statue of Liberty - and remains the most powerful rocket ever built, even though the last one flew in 1973.
Nasa stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It was started on October 1 1958 and is in charge of US science and technology that deals with aircraft or space.
It’s exciting, especially Space –X. That seems more reliable that Richard Branson’s efforts which looks more like something that just skims above the top of the atmosphere. It’s a show for tourists, whereas Space-X has commercial possibilities regarding the International Space Station, satellites etc.
Odd Facts:
Buzz Aldrin’s mother’s maiden name was Moon!
Recommended:
“First Man” is a fantastic movie, and I’d totally recommend that. Just as Dunkirk gave you that camera present point of view of that moment in history, so “First Man” does the same with the moon landings.
Apollo 13 is also a superb depiction of that time of crisis.
Did you know?
The original BBC commentary at blast off has mostly been wiped, part of a purge of expensive videotape at the BBC in the 1980s
Odd Facts
1. Saturn V is still the largest and most powerful rocket ever built
Standing at more than 100m (363ft), the Saturn V rocket burned some 20 tonnes of fuel a second at launch. Propellant accounted for 85% of its overall weight.
Saturn V weighed 2,800 tonnes and generated 34.5m Newtons (7.7m pounds) of thrust at launch.
That's enough to lift 130 tonnes into Earth orbit, and send 43 tonnes to the Moon - the equivalent weight of almost four London buses.
2. Apollo's crew compartment was about the same size as a large car
Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins spent eight days together travelling about half a million miles to the Moon and back in a space roughly the size of a large car.
The astronauts were strapped into bench-like "couches" during launch and landing in the Command Module, which measured 3.9m (12.8ft) at its widest point.
It was no place for the claustrophobic.
3. African-American women skilled in maths helped to work out the route to the Moon
In the pre-digital age, Nasa employed a large number of female mathematicians as "human computers". Many were African-Americans.
4. No-one knows where the Apollo 11 module is now
A total of 10 lunar modules were sent into space and six landed humans on the moon. Once used, the ascent stages of the capsules were jettisoned and either crash-landed on the moon, burned up in Earth's atmosphere, or - in one instance - went into orbit around the Sun. But where exactly they ended up is not known in every case.
Useful Facts and Figures
The Apollo 11 Moon landing happened on July 20 1969. Many people all around the world watched it live on TV, even late into the night. These people gathered to watch on a screen in Trafalgar Square, London.
By the time the crew landed back on Earth, the mission had taken just over a week: 8 days, 3 hours, 18 minutes, 35 seconds.
The average distance is about 240,000 miles. The true distance between the Earth and the Moon actually changes depending on their rotation - the orbit is not a perfect circle. When the Moon is the furthest away, it’s 252,088 miles away. When it's closest, the Moon is 225,623 miles away.
The three parts of the spaceship that went on the Moon mission were the Command Module Columbia, where the astronauts lived and worked; the Service Module which contained the food, oxygen and water tanks; and "Eagle" - the Lander which detached from Columbia and went down to the Moon's surface.
The rocket that took the Nasa astronauts to the Moon was called Saturn V. Saturn V stood 363 feet (110 meters) high - taller than the Statue of Liberty - and remains the most powerful rocket ever built, even though the last one flew in 1973.
Nasa stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It was started on October 1 1958 and is in charge of US science and technology that deals with aircraft or space.
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