Destination Moon

 On December 4 Tom and I attended Destination Moon  at the Cincinnati Museum Center (Union Terminal). I've seen a few moon rocks over the years and even attended Neil Armstrong's Homecoming in Wapokoneta just after the Apollo 11 moon landing (click here) but I don't think I've ever seen any of the actual hardware that flew to the moon. So this was the big chance ... and perhaps the last one. Apollo 11's command module (Columbia) will return to the Smithsonian this February and a trip to Washington might be the only option.

 Arriving at the Cincinnati Museum Center at 2:40 PM, the first quarter moon was visible in the sky over Cincinnati. It's just above and to the right of the flagpole in this picture. For the actual moon landing in July 1969, the moon was still two days away from its first quarter.

A page from the Apollo 11 Flight Plan 

Apollo 11 Command Module Columbia 

The hatch, removed on landing, is part of this display, too. 

Interior view of hatch 

Exterior view of hatch 

Heat tile is made of a honeycomb structure 

Information on F-1 engine Injector Plate (part of the Saturn V)

F-1 Injector Plate 

F-1 Injector Plate (opposite side) 

 Five F-1 engines make up the first stage of the Saturn V rocket. Read more about it here.

Sample return case - moon rocks 

Buzz Aldrin's space helmet and gloves worn on the moon

Back view of prior picture 

Me beside Columbia 

Tom beside Columbia 

Apollo 11 Survival Kit 

Apollo 11 Medical Kit

Full view of moon by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter 

 Full view of moon by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (far side)

A large display of LRO photos of the moon was part of the exhibit. Apollo landing sites  were shown. For more info on the LRO click here.

 And two view of the spectacular ceiling inside the Cincinnati Museum Center.

 It was an expensive venture. Senior admission was $15.50 each and parking was another $6. I don't easily part with $37 but this was one of those things that I didn't want to miss.

 By the way, Tom and I went to the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio in November  2015. You can read about our visit by clicking here.