Human achievement

July 16th marked the 40th anniversary of the launch of the Apollo 11 mission. Four days later (July 20, 1969), Neil Armstrong would become the first man to walk on the moon. I have talked to a few people that cite the moon landing as the event that provided the inspiration to become scientists. Others say that the moon landing had no impact on their career decision. Outside the science community, it is clear that events such as the moon landing successfully capture people’s imagination. On the days of lunar missions, shuttle launches and Mars landings, astrophysical websites usually overload. The release of scientific news even when on TV are only a blips compared to the interest generated by big events. My theory is that events such as the moon landing cross to the realm of human achievement which people grade higher than pure scientific achievement. It is absolutely astounding that we are able to study the cosmic microwave background, but to many that pales in comparison with a walk in the moon. That could be you.