Eugenides Foundation

09/10/2007

Apollo 16 astronaut, Charles Duke, was at the Eugenides Foundation on Thursday 4 October for the first official presentation of the innovative digital film for the New Digital Planetarium entitled From Earth to the Moon. This event was held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the launch of Sputnik 1, Earth's first satellite, as part of the worldwide events to mark the 'World Space Week', an event which has been held each year from 4 to 10 October since 1999, when it was inaugurated by the UN.

Charles Duke shared his moving experiences of having visited the moon with the public: "The emotions I felt on the moon's surface where very strong. It was like celebrating the best Christmas and the best birthday with the best present all at once. I felt very familiar, like I was at home. Working on the moon's surface for 72 hours, I didn't feel at risk, even though the slightest damage to my suit would have meant the end". Mr Duke referred to the amazing view of Earth from the moon, crowned by the glowing white ring of its atmosphere suspended in the darkness of space. It is a "jewel", as he called the planet, but one which appears vulnerable and fragile from afar; an impression captured in the famous photographs of the "blue planet". Mr Duke personally believes that these photographs helped raise environmental awareness.

The film From Earth to the Moon showcases the impressive and laborious efforts of Soviets and Americans to be the first to set foot on the moon, making one of man's greatest and, up until then, unfulfilled dreams a reality. Our first steps on the moon did in fact prove to be "one giant leap for mankind", which changed the world forever and formed the first chapter in the great adventure that is man in space.

Earlier the same day a press conference was held at which the activities and anniversary exhibitions of the Eugenides Foundation were presented: "David Malin & Friends Astrophotography Exhibition, 1957-2007: Man's journey in space viewed via the Greek Press", and "17 years of Hubble Space Telescope Research". The innovative audio-visual work "In search of Space-Time" was performed by the Camerata - Orchestra of Friends of Music and will form part of the Planetarium's schedule from November onwards, while the international conference "Communicating Astronomy with the Public 2007" held at the Eugenides Foundation from 8 to 11 October was also presented.

For detailed information and visiting times for the Eugenides Foundation anniversary exhibitions visit the website:
http://www.eugenfound.edu.gr/portal/gr/3000001/26052/3/1/showdoc.html