A Talk with Space Historian Andrew Chaikin
Take a trip to our nearest neighbor in space with renowned science journalist and space historian Andrew Chaikin. Relive the achievements of Apollo lunar astronauts and learn about the ambitious LCROSS (Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite) mission, which will send a rocket crashing into the moon’s permanently shadowed regions to kick up huge plumes of debris in the hopes of uncovering deposits of ice. Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing, Chaikin’s talk will introduce the past, present, and future of lunar exploration and include a visual tour of the moon’s surface—from Apollo landing sites to the LCROSS impact point. In addition, Exploratorium educators will give an entertaining and interactive overview of moon science. All free with Exploratorium admission.

Andrew Chaikin has authored books and articles about space exploration and astronomy for more than 25 years, including A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts. He is a commentator for National Public Radio's Morning Edition, and is a frequent guest on CNN. Before becoming a science journalist, he served on the Viking missions to Mars at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and was a researcher at the Smithsonian's Center for Earth and Planetary Studies.