The moon landing and another big space anniversary
The comet Shoemaker – Levy 9 spectacularly crashed into Jupiter 25 years ago. Less well remembered than the moon landings but still a milestone for planetary research.
It’s 50 years since the moon landing and 25 years since Shoemaker - Levy 9 crashed into Jupiter. The Apollo missions returned to earth with cargos of moon rocks and the comet crash showed us what happens when celestial bodies collide.
We look at the significance of both this week, and also contemplate a return to the moon. What will the next generation of moonwalking astronauts do there?
One thing’s for sure, they’ll be examining moon rocks once more – though this time with a range of scientific tools which hadn’t been invented when the Apollo missions ceased.
Picture: Shoemaker – Levy 9 Comet Impact Marks on Jupiter
Credit: Getty Images
Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Julian Siddle
Last on
More episodes
Clip
-
Why do we need geologists on the Moon?
Duration: 02:47
Broadcasts
- Thu 18 Jul 2019 19:32GMT´óÏó´«Ã½ World Service except South Asia
- Fri 19 Jul 2019 04:32GMT´óÏó´«Ã½ World Service Online, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only
- Fri 19 Jul 2019 05:32GMT´óÏó´«Ã½ World Service Australasia, Americas and the Caribbean & South Asia only
- Fri 19 Jul 2019 06:32GMT´óÏó´«Ã½ World Service East and Southern Africa & East Asia only
- Fri 19 Jul 2019 10:32GMT´óÏó´«Ã½ World Service West and Central Africa
- Fri 19 Jul 2019 13:32GMT´óÏó´«Ã½ World Service Australasia
- Fri 19 Jul 2019 17:32GMT´óÏó´«Ã½ World Service South Asia
- Mon 22 Jul 2019 00:32GMT´óÏó´«Ã½ World Service
Podcast
-
Science In Action
The ´óÏó´«Ã½ brings you all the week's science news.