International Moon Day🌛

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Rosie_Scope
Rosie_Scope Posts: 6,360 Scope Online Community Coordinator
edited July 22 in Coffee lounge

"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

We're a day late, but still fancied celebrating! 56 years ago (and a day!), 650 million people across the world watched as Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong stepped out onto the surface of the moon. Since 2021, International Moon Day has been celebrated on 20 July each year.

A picture of an astronaut on the moon with another astronaut reflected in their face shield

International Moon Day was first recognised by the United Nations General Assembly after it was brought forward as a recommendation by the very sci-fi-sounding Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

The aims of International Moon Day are to educate, inspire, and promote awareness about the past, present, and future of sustainable lunar exploration and utilisation.

The moon landings marked a huge jump forward in technology and showed just how far humans could go if they set their mind to it. Spurred on by the 'Space Race' against the Soviets, it's amazing how fast the technology came together. It's easy to forget that the first motor-powered plane took flight only 66 years before.

A picture of Wallace and Gromit on the moon from the film A Grand Day Out. Wallace is kicking a ball and Gromit is looking on concerned. In the background, a red homemade rocket.

Since the first landings, only 12 people have walked on the moon, the last being in 1972.

Not sure if that number includes these two chaps on the left, but that seems like more of an unofficial visit.

But these days there are talks of further missions and even trying to build a settlement there. Which is a bit too sci-fi for me, I have to say!

Was anyone here watching at the time of the moon landings? Or do any of your friends or family members have memories of what it was like to watch it first hand?

Would you want to visit the moon if you had the chance? Would you live there?

Comments

  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Online Community Member Posts: 2,706 Championing
    edited July 21

    I remember staying up to watch TV with the moon landing - I was 5 years old !

  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 6,360 Scope Online Community Coordinator

    That must have been an amazing watch at 5 years old @Wibbles! Do you remember much about it?

    A big worldwide event happened when I was 5 years old, but all I remember is being frustrated that there was nothing else on telly 😁

  • Ranald
    Ranald Online Community Member Posts: 2,257 Championing

    Or did they?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b5aW08ivHU
  • Ranald
    Ranald Online Community Member Posts: 2,257 Championing
    edited July 21
  • Albus_Scope
    Albus_Scope Posts: 10,513 Scope Online Community Coordinator
    edited July 22

    I'm still waiting for them to answer the very important question on everyones mind; Is the moon made of cheese?

    and if it is, what type of cheese? is there a cheese equator where flavour's change the further you go from the middle?

  • Mary_Scope
    Mary_Scope Posts: 2,158 Scope Online Community Children and Family Specialists

    I'm going to say yes and I'm going to say burrata @Albus_Scope 😄

  • 66Mustang
    66Mustang Online Community Member Posts: 15,041 Championing

    Oh that's gone fast…I remember the 50th anniversary and just thinking how much of an achievement it would be now let alone with 1969 technology, that didn't feel 6 years ago 😆

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