Sasha Minjarez, Contributor
July 22, 2019
The Insights Museum’s 50th Anniversary Apollo Moon Landing Celebration was a stellar event commemorating one of the single most astronomical achievements in human history. The evening launched with a screening of the Apollo 11 film in the UTEP Union Cinema hosted by the UTEP College of Engineering, in partnership with community contributors.
Following the showing was an opportunity to meet and take a photo with former NASA astronaut Dr. John “Danny” Olivas, who was raised in El Paso. Dr. Olivas graciously provided each family that he greeted with a signed copy of his book “Endeavour’s Long Journey,” a children’s book “Celebrating 19 Years of Space Exploration.”
The out of this world festivities resumed in the Centennial Museum with “build-your-own pop rockets,” blindfold games thematic of the curious treks of the Mars Rover, and even educational activities for children demonstrating the scale of Moon craters relative to the force that forges them.
The knowledgeable members of the Sun City Astronomers then guided space enthusiasts of all ages through a star-studded gaze at the vista that had blanketed overhead as the night drew to an end. Both Jupiter and Saturn were observable through telescopes set up by the astronomers.
If you happened to miss this celebration, The Insights Museum will be hosting the upcoming El Paso Space Festival October 5, 2019 and El Paso Space Week September 28th through October 6th. Further details regarding these events to be announced.
College of Engineering Excites Team holds their picks up with retired astronaut and UTEP Alumni John D. Olivas at the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing celebration at UTEP.
Families are free to gaze at the stars with the assistance of professional telescope operators at the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing celebration at UTEP.
Children learn about Rocket propulsion through the Insights Science Museum’s steam pop activity at the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing celebration at UTEP.
Locals learn about Rocket propulsion through the Inights Science Museum’s activities at the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing celebration at UTEP.
Children learn about different skills necessary for space exploration through the Inights Science Museum’s at the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing celebration at UTEP.
Children learn about different skills necessary for space exploration through the Inights Science Museum’s at the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing celebration at UTEP.
Retired astronaut John D. Olivas motivates the College of Engineering Excites team at the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing celebration at UTEP.
Autographed Books from retired astronaut John D. Olivas are handed out to attendants at the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing celebration at UTEP.
Children learn about different skills necessary for space exploration through the Inights Science Museum’s at the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing celebration at UTEP.
Locals enjoy the educational atmosphere at the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing celebration at UTEP.
Families are free to gaze at the stars with the assistance of professional telescope operators at the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing celebration at UTEP.
Families are free to gaze at the stars with the assistance of professional telescope operators at the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing celebration at UTEP.
Children watch in excitement as they learn about rocket propulsion through the Inights Science Museum’s steam pop activity at the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing celebration at UTEP.
Children watch in excitement as they learn about rocket propulsion through the Inights Science Museum’s steam pop activity at the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing celebration at UTEP.
Retired astronaut John D. Olivas signs uniform of UTEP student Mariana Sigala at the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing celebration at UTEP.
Attendees play a game blind folded at the celebration.
Children learn valuable information at the celebration.
Children get involved in fun projects at the Apollo celebration.
Children get involved in fun projects at the Apollo celebration.
Children get involved in fun projects at the Apollo celebration.
Those who attended had to chance to view amazing sights in the sky at the Apollo Celebration
Children use binoculars at the Apollo Celebration
Children take part in fun activities at the Apollo Celebration