"Space historian" talks up lunar exploration at OMSI
The OMNIMAX Theater at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) was filled with people who came to hear internationally renowned authority on space exploration and NASA historian Andrew Chaikin speak, on July 28.
Chaikin's books include the best-selling chronicle of the Apollo moon missions “A Man on the Moon”, which served as the primary basis for Tom Hanks’ Emmy-winning HBO miniseries, “From the Earth to the Moon”.
“We look for opportunities to bring acknowledged experts to OMSI,” explained its Communications Director, Lee Dawson. “Talks from authorities like Chaikin enhance our learning programs, and engage our visitors with unique experiences.”
Before presenting his free illustrated lecture, author Andrew Chaikin spoke with THE BEE.
“When I was five years old,” Chaikin began, “I felt completely in love with the planets — and became completely hooked on astronomy. I was fascinated by the idea that there are other worlds out there that could be visited. It was right around that time, fortunately, that man started going into space. I remember the Gemini missions — Ed White’s walk in space during the summer I turned nine, in 1965. I was hooked on wanting to be an astronaut.”...
... During his last two years in high school, Chaikin said, coverage of the Apollo missions kept him glued to his television. “In college, I studied geology so I could become a planetary scientist, and explore the geology of the moon and Mars. But halfway through college, I decided I didn’t want a career in science.”
Nonetheless, a couple of years after he graduated, Chaikin fell into writing about space exploration “almost by accident. I decided this is where I belong, and I just love doing it.”
While his publishers tout Chaikin as “America’s Space Historian”, the author said he feels more comfortable with the moniker, “Science journalist/space historian”.
“ ‘In Man on the Moon, The Voyages of Apollo Astronauts’, I told the story of the Apollo missions in the words of the astronauts,” said Chaikin. “I interviewed 23 out of the 24 guys who went to the moon — all but Jack Swygert, who died in 1982 — and I got to relive their experiences through their eyes. “I loved it, talking with people like Neil Armstrong, Alan Shepard, Pete Conrad, and Frank Borman for hours at a time.”
Read entire article at The Bee
Chaikin's books include the best-selling chronicle of the Apollo moon missions “A Man on the Moon”, which served as the primary basis for Tom Hanks’ Emmy-winning HBO miniseries, “From the Earth to the Moon”.
“We look for opportunities to bring acknowledged experts to OMSI,” explained its Communications Director, Lee Dawson. “Talks from authorities like Chaikin enhance our learning programs, and engage our visitors with unique experiences.”
Before presenting his free illustrated lecture, author Andrew Chaikin spoke with THE BEE.
“When I was five years old,” Chaikin began, “I felt completely in love with the planets — and became completely hooked on astronomy. I was fascinated by the idea that there are other worlds out there that could be visited. It was right around that time, fortunately, that man started going into space. I remember the Gemini missions — Ed White’s walk in space during the summer I turned nine, in 1965. I was hooked on wanting to be an astronaut.”...
... During his last two years in high school, Chaikin said, coverage of the Apollo missions kept him glued to his television. “In college, I studied geology so I could become a planetary scientist, and explore the geology of the moon and Mars. But halfway through college, I decided I didn’t want a career in science.”
Nonetheless, a couple of years after he graduated, Chaikin fell into writing about space exploration “almost by accident. I decided this is where I belong, and I just love doing it.”
While his publishers tout Chaikin as “America’s Space Historian”, the author said he feels more comfortable with the moniker, “Science journalist/space historian”.
“ ‘In Man on the Moon, The Voyages of Apollo Astronauts’, I told the story of the Apollo missions in the words of the astronauts,” said Chaikin. “I interviewed 23 out of the 24 guys who went to the moon — all but Jack Swygert, who died in 1982 — and I got to relive their experiences through their eyes. “I loved it, talking with people like Neil Armstrong, Alan Shepard, Pete Conrad, and Frank Borman for hours at a time.”