About a month after the Apollo 11 moon landing, astronauts travelled to Craters of the Moon National Monument to prepare for the next lunar expedition. Since then, the site has served as an important research hub for astronauts and scientists alike, who study rock formations and lava flows.
Ted Stout is a park ranger at the monument. He says the research has now shifted focus away from the Moon to NASA’s next frontier: Mars.
“We have had teams of researchers out here as recently as last year," says Stout. "The reason why they are here is because Craters of the Moon is a really great analog not only for the Lunar surface but also for Mars.”
While scientists are looking toward the future, the monument is celebrating the past when it hosts Moonfest Saturday. The festival will include a talk from a former astronaut, STEM activities for kids and live music.
Stout expects things to fill up quickly. So, dust off your moon boots, as crowded parking could mean taking one small step from the car, but one giant leap towards a good time.
More information can be found here.
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