Astronomy on Tap – Flagstaff Goes To The Moon

Flagstaff Goes To The Moon: Historian Kevin Schindler

Northern Arizona played a key role in preparing to send humans to the Moon in the late 1960s/early 1970s. The Apollo astronauts themselves traveled to Meteor Crater, the Grand Canyon, and volcanic features including Sunset Crater to learn geology and practice their lunar excursions. Meanwhile, U.S. Geological Survey engineers worked with NASA staff members to develop and test instruments while artists joined forces with scientists at Lowell Observatory and the USGS to create detailed maps of the Moon that were critical to navigating around the lunar surface.