2006-08-29 07:02:46 · 14 answers · asked by The High Flying Freedom Frie 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
I assume you're talking about the claim that the waving flag proved there was atmosphere on the 'Moon', and so the landing was faked. As a matter of fact, the flag was only waving because the astronauts were handling it and giving it momentum. It stopped waving soon after they planted it and stopped handling it. And the reason it was sticking out was that there was a bar across the top attached to the pole. So there is actually no vacuum discrepancy there.
2006-08-29 07:06:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 10⤊ 1⤋
Most of the above are right. The flag moved back and forth as the astronauts planted it. It was BECAUSE there is no atmosphere that it continued to move for a period of time until the friction from the lunar regolith stopped its motion.
And to respond to the whole idea that we didn't go because we haven't been back, the answer is very simple. We did, in fact, go 6 times (landing, we orbited with a couple of other missions too). Beginning with Apollo 11 and ending with Apollo 17 we put 12 men on the Moon. Most seem to think that grossly misinterpreted footage from one landing out of 6 is enough to condemn the whole fact we went there.
We have not been back since then, because of 1) the astronomical (no pun inteded :)) cost of the program (a total of 135 billion dollars in 2006 $) 2) The political climate has changed 3) We acheived what we felt we needed to acheive during that time,
and finally 4) We are returning to the Moon in the next 10 or so years. The Apollo program is shut down, however, the Ares program will be returning to the Moon after the Shuttle goes off line in 2010. Ares I and V will return us to the Moon so that we may take our first steps towards Mars. We will be using the Moon as a place to study long-term habitat technologies, new oxygen and environmental systems, and low-gravity farming technologies in order to prepare for over a 2 year mission to Mars by 2040. This is why we have decided to go back to the Moon. Not for political or monetary gain, but to advance our knowledge and ability as a race. And to reach deeper into our Solar System then ever before.
2006-08-29 15:01:59 · answer #2 · answered by AresIV 4 · 7⤊ 1⤋
The folks above are correct - the "waving" was just the flag vibrating (or whatever) due to being handled by the astronauts. It actually required a bit of force to get the flag pole to stick in the ground. Also, remember that there is no air on the Moon so there is no air resistance to dampen those oscillations once they arise.
You can get the real scoop on this from the following website:
http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/tv/foxapollo.html
They also explain the pictures and all the other arguments the conspiracy theorists make.
2006-08-29 14:12:08 · answer #3 · answered by kris 6 · 6⤊ 1⤋
The US flag planted on the moon by the Apollo astronauts was held horizontal by rods inserted into the nylon fabric.
The lunar US flags only flapped in wavy motions while the lunar module's upper stage began to ascend. The exhaust from the rockets, deflected from the lower stage and from the ground, blew against the flags.
I wonder why some people think they've found a "gotcha" tell-tale sign of a conspiracy when the least bit of thinking would reveal that they've found nothing of the kind.
2006-08-29 14:09:24 · answer #4 · answered by David S 5 · 6⤊ 1⤋
A US flag never waved on the Moon; It had to be held rigid with wires to make it stand out. There is no air on the Moon. Get educated! The Moon landings were not a scam. Only a true idiot would believe that.
2006-08-29 14:07:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 1⤋
Hi. Most of the time the flag was motionless after it relaxed in the moon's gravity. The flag should only wave if there was something pushing against it, like the take-off engine.
2006-08-29 14:08:10 · answer #6 · answered by Cirric 7 · 5⤊ 1⤋
on another note:
NASA just recently claimed that the flag is no longer there as the thrust of the lander had blown it away. of course the thrust wasn't strong enough to create a blast crater under the lander...or place one spec of dust on the landers feet...
i guess when we return to the moon they will not be able to identify the exact landing location either? not be able to find the flag???
oh, and it's a shame the recording of the most historic event in human history had vanished?
but everything seems ok, there doesn't seem to be a cover-up here....
2006-08-29 16:37:15 · answer #7 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The guy above nailed it, the flag had to be stiffened by wires to look as if it were waving. Also check out the following regarding the "NASA Scam" as you call it:
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/hoaxes/moontruth.asp
2006-08-30 02:19:23 · answer #8 · answered by Its not me Its u 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I never noticed any "waiving" (sic) but I believe they wired the flag to stand out.
2006-08-29 14:06:17 · answer #9 · answered by Phronsie 4 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I feel that if we had really made the trip to the moon. That we would return land and walk to look for this flag. And we haven't. I know people that would pay money to take a vacation to the moon. Why can't we go back to the moon and take a picture of the flag we left behind. Or, why can't a space craft that orbits the moon send back a picture of the flag. I also feel that we have powerful enough telescopes that we should be able to see the flag and take a picture of it. WHERE ARE THE PICTURES? This has never happen. I do not believe the flag exist.
http://www.orwelltoday.com/moonhoaxdoc.shtml
2006-08-29 14:25:09 · answer #10 · answered by Greta 1 · 2⤊ 9⤋