| Common Name |
Moon Rock |
| Catalog Number |
1990.16.1 |
| Maker |
NASA |
| Date |
ca. 1973 |
| Material(s) |
Wood/Crystal/Cotton/Plastic/Stone |
| Dimensions |
H-14.5 W-10 D-0.75 inches |
| Description |
This presentation piece displays moon rocks collected by the Apollo 17 astronauts as well as a miniature Kentucky flag. The piece is a wooden plaque that is felt backed with beveled edges. A crystal sphere containing a moon rock is glued to the top with an aluminum label. A miniature Kentucky flag is displayed in the middle with a Plexiglas cover nailed over it and an aluminum label below. |
| Notes |
In December of 1972, Astronauts Eugene Cernan and Herman Schmitt picked up a large moon rock from the valley of Taurus-Littrow in to share with the people of the world. Three months after Apollo 17 returned home President Richard Nixon ordered the rock to be cut up and distributed to 135 foreign heads of state and each of the 50 states. The moon rocks became known as the "Goodwill Moon Rocks." Originally displayed in the New Capitol or Governor's Mansion; the plaque was transferred to the KMHM in 1980 and to KHS in 1990. The piece was presented to the people of Kentucky by NASA. |
| Media Links |
BBC article- What happened to NASA's missing Moon Rocks? |
| Collection |
Office of the Governor, State of Kentucky Collection |
| People |
National Aeronautics & Space Administration |
| Subjects |
Space flightMoonGeology |
| Search Terms |
NASAMoon RocksSpace exploration |
| Physical Holder |
Kentucky Historical Society - KHS |