Space Foundation News
Discovery Center Adds Apollo Moon Rock Exhibit
Written by: developer
A Moon rock that was part of the largest sample brought back from the lunar surface by Apollo 15 astronauts is now on display at the Space Foundation Discovery Center, the region’s only space, science and technology attraction.
The rock weighs .2 pounds and was part of a larger piece weighing more than 21 pounds when it was collected by astronauts Col. David Scott, USAF (Ret.), Col. James Irwin, USAF (Ret.) and Col. Alfred Warden, USAF (Ret.). The 1971 mission was the ninth manned mission in the U.S. Apollo space program and the fourth to land on the Moon.
The rock was collected approximately 39 feet north of the rim of the Hadley Rille, and is 3.3 billion years old, as determined by radiogenic dating methods.
The rock is on loan from the NASA Johnson Space Center, and will remain on display at the Space Foundation Discovery Center through November 2013.
About the Space Foundation Discovery Center
The Discovery Center is open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays, and is located off Garden of the Gods Road at 4425 Arrowswest Drive, Colorado Springs, Colo.
The initial exhibit, Launch to the Moon, includes a collection of space artifacts which chronicles the 1959-1976 United States and Soviet Union space race and the goal to be the first to the Moon.
During the “Summer of Discovery,” each week at the Discovery Center focuses on a specific theme, culminating with a full day of special activities each Saturday, included in the price of the admission.
Daily admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors (age 65+), $7 for college students with I.D., $3 for children ages 4-17. Children age three years and younger are admitted free.
Admission is free with military I.D., to those affected by Colorado wildfires and to first responders. The Discovery Center is a collection point for Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado. Anyone bringing a food donation will receive a $2 off admission coupon.
This article is part of Space Watch: July 2013 (Volume: 12, Issue: 7).
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