Apollo Moon Landing Flags Still Standing, Photos Reveal

Space.com via Yahoo News ^ | 7/30/12 | Clara Moskowitz

[Kartographer]

An enduring question ever since the manned moon landings of the 1960s has been: Are the flags planted by the astronauts still standing?

Now, lunar scientists say the verdict is in from the latest photos of the moon taken by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC): Most do, in fact, still stand.

"From the LROC images it is now certain that the American flags are still standing and casting shadows at all of the sites, except Apollo 11," LROC principal investigator Mark Robinson wrote in a recent blog post. "Astronaut Buzz Aldrin reported that the flag was blown over by the exhaust from the ascent engine during liftoff of Apollo 11, and it looks like he was correct!"

[CodeToad]

Sam Kinison: To the Russians: “GO GET OUR FLAG!!!” That whole bit was funny.

[musicman]

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[Ancesthntr]

Phew! What a relief that the Decepticons haven’t arrived yet.

Seriously, besides the exhaust of the departing lunar module, what could possibly move those flags?

[South40]

[Kartographer]

"what could possibly move those flags?"

[South40]

Seriously, besides the exhaust of the departing lunar module, what could possibly move those flags?

Move? Who knows. But that doesn't mean they have to still be there. Between the harsh ultraviolet light and temperatures of the lunar surface, it's surprising they are still there. The sun destroys things on Earth, it most certainly would do so on the moon.

[dfwgator]

Seriously, besides the exhaust of the departing lunar module, what could possibly move those flags?

"Do I even need to say it?"

[JCBreckenridge]

Well done.

[Bob]

To me, that guy is living proof that aliens do exist. And his hair style is a testament to their sense of humor. :=)

[South40]

[EQAndyBuzz]

Who is that guy?

[smokingfrog]

I thought that was Mars... :)

>

[BradyLS]

I was thinking the same thing!

A new stanza for the National Anthem!

Now today you can see by the sun’s burning light
What so boldly we staked ‘midst the twilight’s vast gleaming
Those broad stripes and bright stars on the moon’s airless blight
On the view-screens we watched were so steadfastly beaming
From Apollo’s first dare to the last yet sent there
Still give proof through the age that our flags are still there!
But on earth does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

[Secret Agent Man]

Always liked the women portrayed on these novels’ covers.

[Secret Agent Man]

Alex, I’m gonna have to go with “What are ‘Aliens’.”

[dfwgator]

"Hey everybody! WE'VE LANDED ON THE MOON!"

[Secret Agent Man]

There is NO SUIT made by NASA that can contain that much crazy.

[Kartographer]

WELL DONE!!!!!!

[gov_bean_ counter]

Hahaha!!!

Thanks.

[dfwgator]

Lest ye forget who got there first