The community is invited to the Flagstaff 2011 Black History
Extravaganza Saturday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Murdoch
Community Center, 203 E. Brannen Ave. The event is sponsored by the
NAACP, Murd

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Experience The Apollo Space Mission At Arizona’s Meteor Crater

Did you know that the Apollo space mission astronauts took their first moon steps right here in northern Arizona?  Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong and other astronauts trained for the moon landing at Arizona’s Meteor Crater, located between Winslow and Flagstaff on I-40. 

At Meteor Crater, you can not only see the massive impact crater itself, but learn all about the space program at the park’s interactive visitor center.  It boasts the most extensive collection of exhibits and artifacts related to the solar system.  There is a lot to learn and a lot to see at this world-class space exploration attraction.

Training for the Apollo Space Mission

In January 1963, a group of astronauts were taken to Flagstaff, Arizona.  From there, they visited a number of sites in the area where it was believed that the terrain resembled that of the moon.  These sites include Sunset Crater, parts of the Grand Canyon, and the Barringer Meteorite Crater, known also as Meteor Crater.

The Barringer crater was chosen for the most extensive training because of its resemblance to the moon’s surface with its many craters of different sizes.  In the hot desert sun, astronauts put on their heavy space suits and practiced collecting soil and rock samples from the canyon floor using specialized lunar tools.  Astronauts continued to train here until the mid-1970’s.

Experience Outer Space at the Visitors Center

At Meteor Crater’s visitor center, you’ll find the Interactive Discovery Center, which includes 24 unique exhibits including two interactive computer displays that show the outer limits of the known universe using high-tech graphics.  Displays cover asteroids, planets, the solar system, meteorites, the Diablo Canyon meteorite that impacted the Barringer crater and the Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet that hit Jupiter. 

The center also has information about “near earth objects.”  These are things sailing through space at incredible speeds that scientists believe could cause earthlings worry.  Scientists are studying these objects and their trajectories in order to prepare for future collisions. 

There’s an actual Apollo test capsule in the courtyard of the center, so you can see just how cramped the astronauts’ quarters were.  It’s hard to believe that they could’ve traveled to the moon in something that small.  You’ll also find the Astronaut Wall of Fame, which walks you through the history of the space program.

And don’t forget the meteorite.  Ever touched something from outer space?  At Meteor Crater, you can.  A chunk of the original meteorite is on display in the park’s visitor center.  You can touch it, but don’t try to lift it – it’s made up mostly of nickel and weighs about 1,400 pounds.

The gift shop also has astronaut ice cream, patches, toys, games and science kits.  It’s an excellent one-stop shop for kids who love science and outer space.  In addition to meteor and space related goods, they also have a huge variety of things related to the American southwest, Route 66, Native American cultures and Arizona history. 

The Biggest Hole in the Earth You’ll Ever See

While you’re there, be sure to see the crater!  It’s a giant hole in the earth 575 feet deep and 2.4 miles around.  You can hike the rim, which stands 150 feet above the desert floor, and look down into the crater at one of its overlooks.  There is also a viewing area inside the air conditioned visitor center if it gets too hot for you.  Spyglasses allow you to see the ground where the astronauts walked, and there’s even a cardboard cut-out astronaut to give you an idea of how massive the scale is.

Meteor Crater has the nation’s best space exploration information center.  It’s an excellent experience for science lovers of any age.