Google Answering: Radiation, Collins’ Space Suit and More

A lot of people find this blog by typing questions and requesting information from Google and other search engines. Here’s a rundown, the first of a weekly series, through some of the more recent searches used to find this blog. These include details on Michael Collins’ space suit, a question about astronauts’ dying from radiation and photographs of Apollo 1’s memorial plaque(s) and of the crew praying.

Nine Space Oddities Refuted: “Who Filmed The Famous ‘First Step’?”

3. “One NASA picture from Apollo 11 is looking up at Neil Armstrong about to take his giant step for mankind. The photographer must have been lying on the planet surface. If Armstrong was the first man on the Moon, then who took the shot?”

Video Debunking: Astronaut Movement on the Moon

The conspiracy theory goes that NASA achieved the footage of astronauts on the moon by slowing down shots taken in real time. This, we are meant to believe, would give the appearance of working within one sixth gravity; apparently, it really is that easy. Who knew?
It’s hard to debunk something like this without actually showing [...]

Part 1: Logic, Anyone?

This is going to be a cute and perhaps overtly snarky look at some of the conspiracy theories surrounding the Apollo missions, but rather than delving into science, we’re just going to utiltise a commonly known human trait known as logic.
Logic is marvellous. It’s what stops most of us from drinking photocopier toner even without [...]

Book Review: “Carrying The Fire” – Michael Collins

Book: Carrying the Fire: An Astronaut’s Journeys
Who? Michael Collins, Pilot of Gemini 10 and Command Module Pilot of Apollo 11.
Written by: Collins himself – no ghost writer was used. Originally written in 1974, with an updated version including a new preface printed for the 40th anniversary.
Style: Written primarily in the first person. The [...]

Apollo Quote of the Day: Neil Armstrong

Commander of Apollo 11 gives his thoughts on the legacy of the Apollo Missions and what they mean to the world:

The important achievement of Apollo was demonstrating that humanity is not forever chained to this planet and our visions go rather further than that and our opportunities are unlimited.

Apollo 11: Questions and Answers

I’ve noticed a trend over the past few days appearing in the Google referrers for this blog: many people are searching for answers to basic questions involving the Apollo 11 mission.
Therefore, this post is dedicated to answering those questions as best possible. If you have any further requests regarding the Apollo 11 lunar landing, leave [...]

Hoax Debunking: “Why can’t I see the stars in the photographs?”

The Conspiracy
It’s one of the most popular of the conspiracy theories, the one where everyone suddenly looks at the photographs taken on the lunar surface and realises: “hey, where are the stars?”
The conspiracy theorists use this one a lot, even though the explanation is painfully simple. The theory goes that the stars cannot be seen [...]

Apollo 11 Anniversary: 11 Trivia Facts

Some facts, figures and insights regarding the Apollo 11 mission:
1. The, er,  Snowcone has landed.

It’s true – the original name for the lunar module of Apollo 11 was Snowcone. Astronaut Jim Lovell, wearing his sensible shoes no doubt, is the one that suggested the name change to the universally known Eagle. And if you’re thinking [...]