Adler Planetarium Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing with Three Days of Special Programming this Thursday-Saturday
WHAT: The Adler Planetarium is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing—a momentous accomplishment that changed the course of human history—with three days of events and special programming.
On Thursday evening, the celebration kicks off with our signature 21+ event Adler After Dark: Moonshot. Travel back to 1969 and celebrate the Apollo 11 Moon landing! Wear your favorite 60s-style attire, enjoy period-themed cocktails and music, and discover the untold stories behind the mission, as well as the 400,000 people whose hard work and dedication made Apollo 11 possible.
On Friday evening, join us for a night of reflections and questions on humanity and the Moon with Why Go to the Moon? A Conversation on the Past and Future of Lunar Exploration featuring space historian Roger Launius and historian of colonialism Margaret Huett. Five nations have sent spacecraft to the Moon and private enterprises are increasingly engaging with its exploration. From SpaceX to Virgin Galactic, the advancement of space science, the allure of profiting on lunar resources, and ideas for a permanent human presence on the Moon are raising attention. They also generate controversy and pose challenging questions. Why go to the Moon? Should we go back? Who benefits and who pays for going to the Moon?
Join us Friday-Saturday during regular museum hours for Moon Bash. Channel your inner explorer and help us imagine the next "Moonshot" and how the spirit of Apollo 11 can inspire and challenge us to achieve the impossible. Moon Bash includes hands-on programs, special talks and performances, one-day-only theater shows, and fun for the whole family!
For a full list of programming, and to learn more: https://www.adlerplanetarium.org/events/apollo-11-celebration/
WHY: In May 1961, President John F. Kennedy announced the seemingly impossible goal of putting a man on the Moon by the end of the decade. Nobody knew quite how it would get done, yet eight years later, that dream was realized. Apollo 11 was the culmination of an enormous human effort and a monumental undertaking. It took the imagination, ingenuity, collaboration, and determination of hundreds of thousands.
50 years ago this week, the world came together to watch mankind take the first steps on the Moon. 50 years later, the Adler Planetarium is gathering the city of Chicago to commemorate the past, but look to the future as we envision the next Moonshot for the Adler, our neighborhoods, and the city of Chicago.
WHEN:
Thurs, July 18 - Adler After Dark: Moonshot ( 21+ event ), 6:30- 10:30 pm
Fri, July 19- Why Go to the Moon? A Conversation on the Past and Future of Lunar Exploration, 7:00 pm
Fri, July 19 - Sat, July 20- Moon Bash, 9:00 am- 6:00 pm ( regular museum hours )
TICKETS:
To purchase Adler After Dark: Moonshot tickets:https://www.adlerplanetarium.org/events/adler-after-dark-moonshot-july-18/
To purchase Why Go to the Moon? A Conversation on the Past and Future of Lunar Exploration tickets: https://www.adlerplanetarium.org/events/apollo-11-celebration/
Moon Bash is included with a Museum Entry pass ( only includes single day access )
MOON BASH PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS ( Saturday, July 20 ):
Small Steps, Giant Leaps: Voices of Apollo
All Day Rainbow Lobby
We collected stories from around the world from people inspired by the Apollo 11 mission and humanity's first steps on another world. This temporary exhibition highlights some of these powerful memories & stories including photos ( on loan from the Chicago History Museum ) from the Chicago parade the day of the Moon landing.
Voices of Apollo: Talk with Dr. Reatha Clark King and Bob Davidson
11 am Johnson Star Theater
From our call for stories, we were fortunate enough to connect with two of the 400,000 individuals who had a direct connection to the mission. Hear the personal stories from Apollo 11 spacesuit engineer Bob Davidson and physical chemist Dr. Reatha Clark King, who studied chemicals for rocket fuel.
Chicago Moonshot Murals
10:00am- 12:00 pm Galileo's Cafe
In an ongoing effort to connect people to the Universe and to one another, the Adler Planetarium is partnering with local street artists across the city of Chicago on a series of public art experiences called "Chicago Moonshot Murals." These experiences invite community members to their local library to color line art canvases that have been created by local Chicago artists. The canvases bring to life each neighborhood's "Moonshot"—something that is thought to be impossible ( like landing on the Moon was 50 years ago ), but with teamwork and determination, can be realized.
The Chicago Moonshot Murals project will culminate at Moon Bash where guests can contribute to the Adler and the city of Chicago's "Moonshot" canvases, meet artists JC Rivera, Shawn Smith, STUK.one, and Lauren Asta, and see the other neighborhood Moonshot murals on display.
To the Moon & Beyond: A Conversation with Jim Lovell & Beth Moses.
2:30 pm Johnson Star Theater
Join us for a special moderated conversation on why the Moon still matters with Captain James A. Lovell, Jr., Apollo 8 and Apollo 13 astronaut, and Beth Moses, Chief Astronaut Instructor and commercial astronaut with Virgin Galactic. This 60-minute ticketed experience includes a 45-minute conversation with Captain Lovell and Moses, followed by 15 minutes of Q&A.
SOLD OUT!
Other Highlights:
The Day We Walked on the Moon. This documentary from the Smithsonian Channel tells the story of how he got to the Moon through spectacular footage and interviews with key figures in the Apollo 11 mission. Free show in Johnson Star Theater.
Exploration Stations. Launch a rocket, train like an astronaut, and learn all about the Moon with hands-on programs all day long!
Performances & Talks. Special talks with astronomers & other experts, some of whom worked on the Apollo program, as well as live puppet performances and museum theater pieces.
Collections Corner. This program will highlight objects & works on paper that feature the Moon from Adler's own collection.
Stories From Mission Control. This museum theater piece explores the harrowing, but ultimately successful Gemini 4 mission in June 1965 from the perspective of Mission Control in Houston.
Outdoor Components.* Participate in an outdoor rocket launch activity, "walk" on the Moon in an inflatable Moon Bounce, look through a real telescope in the Doane Observatory, enjoy a snack from a food truck or satellite food & beverage service from Food for Thought, or take home lunar souvenirs from the Adler Store! *Weather dependent.
VIDEO FOOTAGE:
Adler Planetarium b-roll: vimeo.com/254899870 .
