I just attended a geology seminar entitled "Field Geology in the Valley of Taurus-Littrow on the Moon," given by Jack Schmitt. It took place in the auditorium in my building, so I only had to walk downstairs! Afterward I attended the informal refreshments session, and had a chance to introduce myself and shake his hand. I don't have a bucket list, but if I did that would be one to cross off.
It was a technical talk, and I could keep up with most of it. I learned some new things both about geology and his personal experiences on the Moon. I think I was the most excited about this one of my three opportunities to gather with Apollo astronauts. It was very nice to see him in an academic setting. When I talked with him, I told him about flying kids to the Moon in my planetarium and that I just got trained to borrow lunar samples for my museum. Just this Monday I was holding in my hand a disc with samples that he brought back!
Next up: the fancy-schmancy gala tonight with him and Buzz Aldrin. I don't know what kind of access there will be to them, so I'm glad I got the chance to meet Schmitt today.
Tomorrow is the public expo, and I'll be bringing Buster. I bought both of their books to get autographed, so I know I'll at least be able to give him a little exposure to both of them, and snap some photos. Hopefully when he's older he'll appreciate this opportunity. Unfortunately, it's during Russter's naptime so she and MrPi will be staying home.
I'll report back and add pictures when I can!
FWIS3
In memory of our guiding lights - Russ, Mike and Charlie - “To be a star, you must shine your own light, follow your own path, and don't worry about the darkness, for that is when the stars shine brightest”
Apollo Encounter wrap up.
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Apollo Encounter wrap up.
by pumpkinpi » Fri Apr 25, 2014 6:02 pm
Last edited by pumpkinpi on Sun Apr 27, 2014 4:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
Too bad ignorance isn't painful.
"Standing at the forefront of human ignorance." Daniel and Jorge Explain the Universe
"Standing at the forefront of human ignorance." Daniel and Jorge Explain the Universe
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pumpkinpi - Posts: 2054
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Re: Apollo Encounter, Part I
by Swift » Fri Apr 25, 2014 6:19 pm
Absolutely cool. But this is over the top cool:Just this Monday I was holding in my hand a disc with samples that he brought back!
Never, ever forget: we did this. This is what we can do.
In wilderness is the preservation of the world. - Henry David Thoreau
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead
In wilderness is the preservation of the world. - Henry David Thoreau
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead
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Swift - Posts: 2353
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- FZR1KG
Re: Apollo Encounter wrap up.
by pumpkinpi » Sun Apr 27, 2014 5:03 am
It's been a pretty fascinating couple of days! Two days ago I was someone who hadn't met an Apollo astronaut, and now I'm someone who has. It's like I lost my Apollo virginity!
The fancy schmancy gala was fun. Generically, it was nice for MrPi and I to get out and be adults for a nice dinner, open bar, and meeting new people. But then you add a casual conversation between two moonwalkers into the program and it becomes fun on a whole different level! I'll have to come back and share some of the things they said.
The expo today was quite a good time. I got to hear both of them talk again and see some cool aerospace exhibits, and get books autographed. Buster was the hit of the show in his astronaut costume. Everyone loved it, and he made both Buzz and Jack smile! Buzz just signed his name in his book, but Jack personalized it so I had him write it to Buster. I don't know if he will remember this day, but at least he will have the picture and book as keepsakes. When he grows up there aren't going to be many people his age with pictures taken with moonwalkers. That's pretty special.
We also got a good shot with a shuttle astronaut, Curt Brown, in his blue flightsuit. That might make some PR for this event!
It's so hard for me to get a really good shot because Buster is always moving. I'll have to settle with the blur that he is.
I feel bad that Russter missed out, but it all took place during naptime and involved a lot of sitting and waiting, which I knew she wouldn't handle well. It's kind of like the time my parents took my sister to meet Boss Hogg at our local mall, but they left me home because I was too young. I got over it.
The fancy schmancy gala was fun. Generically, it was nice for MrPi and I to get out and be adults for a nice dinner, open bar, and meeting new people. But then you add a casual conversation between two moonwalkers into the program and it becomes fun on a whole different level! I'll have to come back and share some of the things they said.
The expo today was quite a good time. I got to hear both of them talk again and see some cool aerospace exhibits, and get books autographed. Buster was the hit of the show in his astronaut costume. Everyone loved it, and he made both Buzz and Jack smile! Buzz just signed his name in his book, but Jack personalized it so I had him write it to Buster. I don't know if he will remember this day, but at least he will have the picture and book as keepsakes. When he grows up there aren't going to be many people his age with pictures taken with moonwalkers. That's pretty special.
We also got a good shot with a shuttle astronaut, Curt Brown, in his blue flightsuit. That might make some PR for this event!
It's so hard for me to get a really good shot because Buster is always moving. I'll have to settle with the blur that he is.
I feel bad that Russter missed out, but it all took place during naptime and involved a lot of sitting and waiting, which I knew she wouldn't handle well. It's kind of like the time my parents took my sister to meet Boss Hogg at our local mall, but they left me home because I was too young. I got over it.
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Too bad ignorance isn't painful.
"Standing at the forefront of human ignorance." Daniel and Jorge Explain the Universe
"Standing at the forefront of human ignorance." Daniel and Jorge Explain the Universe
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pumpkinpi - Posts: 2054
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Re: Apollo Encounter wrap up.
by Loresinger » Sun Apr 27, 2014 3:31 pm
Color me green... growing up all I wanted was to be an astronaut. Unfortunately higher physics really conflobulated me (yes that is sort of a word)
When I look to the night sky I feel oddly like I am looking home (please do not think me nuts) but I am with Sagan in his thoughts.
When I look to the night sky I feel oddly like I am looking home (please do not think me nuts) but I am with Sagan in his thoughts.
Dance in your kitchen; play with your food
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Loresinger - Mistress of the Ink
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Re: Apollo Encounter wrap up.
by Swift » Mon Apr 28, 2014 2:18 pm
Those pictures are over the top cute pp.
Never, ever forget: we did this. This is what we can do.
In wilderness is the preservation of the world. - Henry David Thoreau
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead
In wilderness is the preservation of the world. - Henry David Thoreau
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead
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Swift - Posts: 2353
- Joined: Wed May 29, 2013 2:40 am
- Location: At my keyboard
Re: Apollo Encounter wrap up.
by pumpkinpi » Mon Apr 28, 2014 2:21 pm
Twenty years from now I'll forget this, but the reason Buster was smiling wasn't because he was happy. He was being shy so I had to use reverse psychology, telling him "don't you dare smile!"
Too bad ignorance isn't painful.
"Standing at the forefront of human ignorance." Daniel and Jorge Explain the Universe
"Standing at the forefront of human ignorance." Daniel and Jorge Explain the Universe
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pumpkinpi - Posts: 2054
- Joined: Mon May 27, 2013 12:56 pm
- Location: 100 meters closer to the north pole than the equator
Re: Apollo Encounter wrap up.
by Sigma_Orionis » Mon Apr 28, 2014 4:15 pm
Extremely cool 
Sic Transit Gloria Mundi
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Sigma_Orionis - Resident Oppressed Latino
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Re: Apollo Encounter wrap up.
by Swift » Mon Apr 28, 2014 6:04 pm
pumpkinpi wrote:Twenty years from now I'll forget this, but the reason Buster was smiling wasn't because he was happy. He was being shy so I had to use reverse psychology, telling him "don't you dare smile!"
"Don't you dare earn that triple degree of MD/JD/PhD! I'm warning you young man, don't make me turn this Rhode Scholarship around!"
Never, ever forget: we did this. This is what we can do.
In wilderness is the preservation of the world. - Henry David Thoreau
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead
In wilderness is the preservation of the world. - Henry David Thoreau
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead
-
Swift - Posts: 2353
- Joined: Wed May 29, 2013 2:40 am
- Location: At my keyboard
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