Matt Lorelli
Happy Moon Day, friends! On this day in 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first men to ever land on the moon.
Apollo 11 touched down at 20:17 UTC on July 20th, 1969. The two astronauts remained inside the vessel for 6 hours and 39 minutes. Then, at 2:56 UTC on July 21st, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first man to ever walk on the moon. Buzz Aldrin followed him just 19 minutes later.
The two astronauts spent close to 2.5 hours exploring the surface of the moon. They collected 47.5 pounds of lunar material before rejoining pilot Michael Collins in the Command Module. They spent a total of 21 hours on the lunar surface.
The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space declared July 20th as International Moon Day as part of Resolution 76/76, which was adopted last year.
So, Happy Moon Day folks! Here’s hoping you’re able to see the moon in all of its glory tonight to celebrate the occasion.
All Images Credit: NASA
