Visit Calendar Apollo 17: The End of an Era
December 15, 2012
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater

Apollo 17: The End of an Era

Griffith Observatory Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of NASA’s Apollo 17 Mission

Upcoming NASA Events at Griffith Observatory

  • Hear tales of lunar exploration and the unique features of the Apollo 17 mission.
  • See a real rock brought back from the Moon by Apollo astronauts.
  • Discover how Apollo astronauts trained under the stars in Griffith Observatory’s planetarium.

SPECIAL LECTURES

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of Apollo 17, Griffith Observatory is offering special lectures in the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater presented by Griffith Observatory Astronomical Observer Anthony Cook and Griffith Observatory Astronomical Lecturer Dr. David Reitzel. All lectures are free and open to the public up to the capacity of the theater.

Apollo 17: The End of an Era
By Griffith Observatory Astronomical Observer Anthony Cook

On December 11, 1972, Apollo 17 Commander Eugene Cernan set the Lunar Module Challenger down in the Taurus Littrow valley of the Moon, the last landing of the Apollo program. Over the next three days, Cernan and Lunar Module Pilot (and geologist) Harrison Schmitt explored the site with the aid of a two-seat Lunar Roving Vehicle. Command Module Pilot Ronald Evans studied the Moon from the orbiting spacecraft America. The astronauts made important scientific finds including the oldest Moon rock, orange soil from lunar volcanic fountains, and material from the Moon’s most recent large impact.

Saturday, December 15 at 2:00 & 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 16 at 2:00 & 6:00 p.m. 

The Moon Landings: Hoax or No Hoax?
By Griffith Observatory Astronomical Lecturer Dr. David Reitzel

Were the missions to the Moon real? Did men really fly to the Moon and drive around on its surface, or was it all a hoax? In the words of one astronaut, if it were a hoax, “Why would we fake it nine times?” Review the evidence and decide for yourself.

Saturday, December 15 at 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 16 at 4:00 p.m.

Click here to watch “Hoax or No Hoax” on Griffith TV on Live Stream.