Philosophy
NEW YORK - A navigational chart used by Apollo 11 astronauts has become the unexpected star of an auction in New York City marking the 40th anniversary of man's first lunar landing.
Bonhams New York said that the lunar surface star chart sold Thursday for an astronomical $218,000. The tool, with a 9-inch (23-centimeter) diameter, had been expected to bring in $70,000 to $90,000.
The device consists of two plastic discs riveted together. The lower disc shows Earth, the sun, planets and star patterns against a black background. The upper disc is a semi-transparent overlay that could be turned to calculate position.
The historic mission of astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin began exactly 40 years earlier, on July 16, 1969, and came to a climax on July 20 with the moon landing. In a letter accompanying the sale item, Aldrin wrote that "this star chart was the single most critical navigational device we used while on the moon."
Among the expected highlights of the auction were three checklists from the landing's descent. Signed by Aldrin, the lot had been estimated to fetch $125,000 to $175,000. But the checklists failed to sell.
The sale contained about 350 items from a variety of space missions.
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Philosophy
Apollo 11 star chart sells for $218k
"Apollo 11 chart fetches astronomical price"
Star navigation aid for lunar surface sold at auction for $218,000
July 16th, 2009
The Associated Press
Star navigation aid for lunar surface sold at auction for $218,000
July 16th, 2009
The Associated Press
NEW YORK - A navigational chart used by Apollo 11 astronauts has become the unexpected star of an auction in New York City marking the 40th anniversary of man's first lunar landing.
Bonhams New York said that the lunar surface star chart sold Thursday for an astronomical $218,000. The tool, with a 9-inch (23-centimeter) diameter, had been expected to bring in $70,000 to $90,000.
The device consists of two plastic discs riveted together. The lower disc shows Earth, the sun, planets and star patterns against a black background. The upper disc is a semi-transparent overlay that could be turned to calculate position.
The historic mission of astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin began exactly 40 years earlier, on July 16, 1969, and came to a climax on July 20 with the moon landing. In a letter accompanying the sale item, Aldrin wrote that "this star chart was the single most critical navigational device we used while on the moon."
Among the expected highlights of the auction were three checklists from the landing's descent. Signed by Aldrin, the lot had been estimated to fetch $125,000 to $175,000. But the checklists failed to sell.
The sale contained about 350 items from a variety of space missions.
- At&t Coughed Up A Recording Of A Very Long Distance Phone Call...to The Moon
"Tech Time Warp of the Week: Watch President Nixon Dial the Moon in 1969" by Daniela Hernandez February 21st, 2014 Wired President Nixon placed countless phone calls from the Oval Office, but there was one he called the most historic call ever made...
- "hold On", Says Nasa
See...Two auctions...big bucks spent "NASA Questions Apollo 13 Commander's Sale of List"byCurt AndersonJanuary 6th, 2012Associated PressNASA is questioning whether Apollo 13 commander James Lovell has the right to sell a 70-page checklist from the...
- “genesis Rock”
Almost 40 years ago this day [July 30th, 19171] Apollo 15 landed on the Moon. And one of the items brought back to Earth was the so-called “Genesis Rock” which after analysis was dated to be 4.5 billion years old making it almost as old as the solar...
- Moon Junk
Is this a bit birarre? "To California, Moon Junk Is State Treasure" by Jesse McKinley January 30th, 2010 The New York Times In one small step for preservation and one giant leap of logic, the official historical commission of California voted Friday...
- Apollo 11 Crew...doing "what" Now
Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr. "Where are they now? Apollo 11 crew" July 19th, 2009 Associated Press CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.---- In the 40 years since Apollo 11, some of the key players, most notably Neil Armstrong, have steered...