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[Centaur]

Astronauts first landed on the Moon on 1969 JUL 20. That was 38 years ago today, which is exactly two Metonic periods of 19 years. Every 19 years the Moon’s monthly phases repeat on nearly the same dates. So when you gaze upon the fat crescent Moon this evening, it will appear about the same as it did when it was announced that the Eagle had landed in Tranquility Base.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Curt,

I never thought about what phase the Moon was when Apollo 11 landed. Quite interesting.

I recall as a kid of 8, watching intently with my Mom and Dad, the entire exciting adventure. My goofball friends preferred to stay outside and play softball and other pastimes of youth. But not me....glued to the black and white ghostly images from our Moon.

My Dad took some Polaroids of the tv screen, I wish I still had them.

Perhaps tonight I'll set up my scope by the lake and celebrate the anniversary by sharing views of the lunar landscape and point out Mare Tranquillitatis 00.67408 °N latitude, 23.47297 °E longitude.

[Centaur]

I was serving in Vietnam at the time. After anticipating this event my entire life, there I was stuck in a war without live TV coverage. I did hear the landing procedure on radio during the middle of our night. There came a huge emotional rush when Armstrong announced, "Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed." While on duty the next morning I listened on radio as Armstrong described stepping onto the lunar surface. Later that afternoon I watched a replay on Armed Forces TV from videotape that had been flown in from the Philippines. I tried to explain to a Vietnamese what we were seeing, but she scowled and insisted it was all phony American propaganda. Thus began the Moon Hoax Myth.