Lowell's Lunar Legacy

Come and Experience the Flagstaff Lunar Legacy with us!

Join us for various 50th anniversary celebration events on July 20, 2019

10 am – 6 pm: Lunar Legacy tours and access to Lunar Legacy exhibits. Hear the story and explore exhibits about the Moon mapping and astronaut training that occurred at Lowell in preparation for the Apollo missions to the Moon.

·         10:15 am and 4 pm: Lunar Legacy Tour

·         1 pm and 4 pm: Lunar Legacy Exhibit at the Putnam Collection Center

10 am – 10 pm: Hands-on Moon-themed activities for kids.

1:30 pm – 4 pm: Apollo 11 Documentary Film. *Occurs off-site on Saturday, July 20, 2019, at The Orpheum Theater.

5 pm and 6 pm: Lunar Omniglobe presentations. Explore the Moon via our interactive Omniglobe spherical display.

5:30-6:45 pm: Flagstaff Community Band Concert. The Flagstaff Community Band, directed by Tim McKay, is in its 27th year and is made up of community members from Flagstaff and the surrounding area. Their performance at Lowell Observatory will include an exciting new piece by composer Erik Morales called “One Giant Leap.” Written in commemoration of the lunar landing, it incorporates audio clips from President Kennedy, Commander Neil Armstrong, and others. The performance will also include inspiring patriotic music and popular movie music related to the Moon and outer space. It will be fun and entertaining for Earthlings of all ages!

7-7:45 pm: Lunar Legends Panel. A discussion by past and current scientists (Lunar Legends) talking about Flagstaff’s role in the Apollo Moon missions. Lunar Legends panel members include comet discoverer/wife of astrogeologist Carolyn Shoemaker, geologists Gerald Schaber and Lauren Edgar, and more.

7:45-8:00 pm: “One Giant Leap.” In a video captured during the dedication of Lowell’s Discovery Channel Telescope in 2012, Neil Armstrong narrates the harrowing moments leading up to landing on the Moon. The video ends with vintage footage of Armstrong taking his “One Giant Leap for Mankind” (played at 7:56 pm, 50 years to the minute after Armstrong’s feat).

8-8:30 pm: “One Giant Leap” Retrospective. Lunar Legends recall Armstrong’s Giant Leap, what it meant to them, and how it continues to inspire scientific pursuits.

8:30-9 pm: Lunar Legends Mingle. Guest may enjoy the opportunity to talk one on one with the lunar legends and get pictures and autographs.

8-10 pm: Meet an Astronomer – Phil Massey. There aren’t many places in the world where the public can meet a professional astronomer and ask him or her questions. Come up to Mars Hill and meet a Lowell astronomer and take a peek at real-time images of planets, stars, galaxies, and other celestial objects to be displayed on a large television screen outdoors with our new MallinCam. This is your opportunity to see interesting objects in the night sky, learn about an astronomer’s research, and ask questions you might have about any topic in astronomy.