Celebating the Moon: Unique Lunar Experiences on Earth

The moon has captivated humankind forever, inspiring mythology, songs, art, and scientific observation. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 missions that took humankind to the moon, and NASA recently announced plans to send astronauts back. All eyes are on the sky, pondering our nearest celestial neighbor. If you want to get to know the moon more intimately than from 238,900 miles away, here are some ways you can celebrate the Apollo 11 anniversary and have lunar experiences here on Earth.

Museum of the Moon

Get up close and personal with the moon at Museum of the Moon. Created by UK artist Luke Jerram, this touring exhibit allows you to see the moon in greater detail than ever before. Using NASA imagery, Jerram created a 1:500,000 spherical, self-illuminating scale model of the moon which allows visitors to walk fully around the moon and see every fascinating detail.

As a touring exhibit with several moons on display, the Museum of the Moon has upcoming tour dates at The Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Natural History Museum in London, and The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia among many others.

Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve

If you want to imagine what a trip to the moon might actually be like, Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve in Idaho is the place to visit.

Craters of the Moon first gained national attention in a 1924 issue of National Geographic, when an early visitor mentioned that its geologic features appeared similar to the barren, craggy surface of the moon. It was protected as a national monument that same year, and travelers still come to see the unique basalt and lava formations that cover the region.

In 1969, NASA even used the site as training grounds for moon-bound astronauts so they might be better prepared for their missions. Additionally, in 2017, Craters of the Moon was recognized for its pristine dark skies, earning the International Dark-Sky Association Dark Sky Park certification.

Space Camp

If you dream of someday visiting the moon in person, you’ll need to train up. Space Camp, located in Huntsville, Alabama, is the best spot for non-astronauts to train and gain an idea of what going to space might be like. Space Camp offers programs designed for those ages 9-18, as well as families, adults, and even corporate groups for special camps throughout the year. Activities focus on mission simulations, helping participants experience astronaut training both physically and mentally.

One such experience is the 1/6th Gravity Chair, which simulates the moon’s gravity. You’ll strap into a chair attached to a system of pulleys and springs that allow you to bounce, leap, twirl, and step on a lunar-like surface, emulating what astronauts experienced on the moon during their first steps.

While visiting, don’t miss the rest of the US Space & Rocket Center. Here, you can see other simulated lunar landscapes and explore the Saturn V Hall of the Davidson Center for Space Exploration, where you can walk under a Saturn V rocket from end to end, view a lunar lander, a moon rock, and even the Apollo 16 command module, which carried astronauts to the moon in 1972.

Adler Planetarium

If you live in an urban area with light pollution that makes seeing the moon tricky, planetariums offer a chance to witness the night sky and celestial objects up close. Most planetariums host shows that focus on the current night sky, educating visitors about the positions of stars and the moon; some have special shows concentrating specifically on the moon.

One such planetarium is Chicago’s Adler Planetarium. Situated on Northerly Island at the edge of Lake Michigan, the Adler offers visitors much more than just shows in their planetarium dome room. Exhibits throughout the Adler teach visitors about our sun, solar system, and beyond. In the planetarium, you can watch shows on diverse subjects, including one specifically called Imagine the Moon that explores the moon’s role in our lives.

Outside the Chicago area, check with your local planetarium to see what programs they offer.

McDonald Observatory

Under the expansive skies of West Texas, the University of Texas at Austin operates the McDonald Observatory with its powerful telescopes and instruments, welcoming visitors day and night. While most telescopes are measured in centimeters, McDonald Observatory boasts three permanent telescopes greater than two meters in diameter: the 10-meter Hobby-Eberly Telescope, the 2.7-meter Harlan J. Smith Telescope, and the 2.1-meter Otto Struve Telescope. Collectively, these telescopes make the observatory one of the most advanced in the region.

What makes McDonald Observatory particularly special for lunar enthusiasts is their dedicated Lunar Viewing Program. During these special events, moon-gazers learn about the moon’s formation and then observe significant formations and locations on the lunar surface – including Apollo landing sites.

It’s approximately a three-hour drive from El Paso, the nearest major city and airport, to McDonald Observatory. The Observatory also provides overnight accommodation in an on-site ‘Astronomers Lodge,’ which is available on a first-come, first-served basis.