What Is The Moon Like?

Well, before we can land on the Moon, we’d better learn a little about what the Moon is like. Here are some real movies of people who have been to the Moon.

DIGITAL EFFECT: Fly to Moon
Move the Moon to the sweetspot (planetarium North), and then travel towards the Moon.

Explain what is being shown during Visuals 9 -11.
[In the original edition of the show there was a movie depicting orbiting the Moon, but with digital systems it is more effective to show the fulldome effect of orbiting the Moon.]

VISUAL 9 (movie): Astronauts Hopping

A happy astronaut is singing a song.

VISUAL 10 (movie): Collecting Moon Rocks

Astronauts find an unusual crystalline rock.
They also comment on how dusty (dirty) their space suits can get while collecting rocks.

VISUAL 11 (still): Lunar Rover

The rover is an electric car and is still on the Moon—it was not brought home.

DIGITAL EFFECT: Orbit the Moon
Oribt the Moon with a dome yaw or similar effect.

Now that we have seen pictures of real astronauts landing and working on the Moon, let’s get ready to land there ourselves. Before we land, we need to make some final preparations for us with the help of a couple adult volunteers.

Would one of the adults like to be the Command Module Pilot?

[Explain that s/he will lead the entire group out of the group out of the planetarium through the EXIT door and walk the group slowly around the planetarium and back to the ENTRANCE door where you will let them in again.]

In a moment, you are going to stand up and follow the Command Module Pilot out of the planetarium. You will orbit the planetarium (this round room) by going around the outside and then when you return, we will imagine that we have arrived on the Moon. Be sure to follow Commander _________ closely and to not get lost out in space.

When you have arrived at the “Moon,” send a signal to me by knocking on the airlock door of the planetarium entrance. While you’re doing that doing that,
I need one more adult volunteer to be the Lunar Module Pilot to help me prepare for our landing.

Once we’re on the Moon, we will collect some rock samples to bring back to Earth.
OK, follow Commander _________, who will lead you on your final approach to the Moon.
Remember not to get lost in space!

Have audience exit and “orbit” around the outside of the planetarium 1 to 3 times, depending on how big the planetarium is. If this is unfeasible, simply lead the children to any clear area in the planetarium and walk around in circles a few times.
Explain to the second volunteer(s, once the group has “departed,” s/he is helping you set out the landscape and the Moon rocks. While the audience is “orbiting” outside the planetarium, drape sheets over the seats and/or bring up a Moonscape Panorama. Set out Moon rocks with the “Lunar Module Pilot” volunteer. Turn on UV light and dim cove lights.