COD Astronomy Professor Reflects on Moon Landing

NASA’s Apollo moon-landing program of the 1960s was one of the greatest achievements of humankind in the modern era. In just nine short years, vehicles, procedures, infrastructure and personnel were developed to go to the moon. While mankind has continued space exploration in the 50 years since the moon landing, College of DuPage Astronomy Professor Joe DalSanto believes part of the marvel of the historic moment lies in Apollo 11’s ability to unite a nation and spur significant technological advances now found in our everyday lives.

The effects of Apollo 11’s success continue to be felt around the world today, he said.

“The moon landing really drew people together at the magnitude of the achievement, if only for moment,” DalSanto said. “We celebrate the event, but more than that, we celebrate what the event represents – the human spirit and what we can achieve when we put our minds and wills to it.”

DalSanto will present “Mankind’s Greatest Adventure: Apollo Reaches the Moon” at COD’s Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, July 20, at the Glen Ellyn campus 425 Fawell Blvd. The free event will feature interactive booths covering a range of Apollo program-related topics, including virtual reality exhibits from the COD Astronomy Club and the Glen Ellyn Library, model rockets from the Northern Illinois Rocketry Society, a real moon rock, a lunar activity table from SciTech Museum, stomp rockets and space demos from American Science and Surplus, and telescopic sky viewing with the Naperville Astronomy Association. In addition, David Chudwin M.D., author of “I was a Teenage Space Reporter: From Apollo 11 to Our Future in Space,” will be on hand to meet attendees and sign copies of his book.

Learn more about COD’s Apollo 11 50th Anniversary celebration.