Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Sample, Material |
Common Name |
Moon Rock |
Catalog Number |
1990.16.2 |
Maker |
NASA |
Date |
ca. 1972 |
Material(s) |
Wood, crystal, Plexiglas, aluminum |
Dimensions |
H-11.5 W-9 D-7.125 inches |
Description |
This presentation piece displays moon rocks collected by the Apollo 11 astronauts as well as a miniature Kentucky flag. The piece has a beveled wooden base with a rectilinear post. A triangular wooden block is joined to the top of the post. A Plexiglas cover is nailed to the slanted face of the block over a miniature Kentucky flag. A crystal sphere containing moon rocks is glued to the top of the Plexiglas. Aluminum plates bearing inscriptions are glued to post and on post's foot. |
Notes |
This presentation piece contains fragments of rock collected by Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin from the southern part of the Sea of Tranquility on the Apollo 11 mission. The small fragments are pieces of Crystalline rock, breccia and glass which were sieved from the lunar soil. A study of samples like this has shown that the composition of this part of the Moon is different from most parts of the Earth's surface and that it is older than rocks found on the Earth's surface. |
Media Links |
BBC article- What happened to NASA's missing Moon Rocks? |
Collection |
Office of the Governor, State of Kentucky Collection |
People |
Nixon, Richard M., 1913-1994 Aldrin, Buzz Armstrong, Neil Collins, Michael National Aeronautics & Space Administration |
Subjects |
Space flight Moon Geology Presidents Rocks |
Search Terms |
NASA Moon Rocks Space exploration |
Physical Holder |
Kentucky Historical Society - KHS |