Live from NASA Ames Research Center at the NASA Lunar Science Conference...

The purpose of the conference - "to explore the full spectrum of lunar science of the Moon, on the Moon, and from the Moon". 

Details about the conference are at - http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/nlsc2008 

The conference is sponsored by the new NASA Lunar Science Institute at NASA Ames and the Lunar and Planetary Institute of the Houston area.

Dr. Everett Gibson, an astrobiologist from NASA Johnson Space Center - and the Moon, during the NASA Lunar Science Conference held at NASA Ames Research Center from July 20-23, 2008.

On Sunday July 20th, NASA Ames held a public day in celebration of the 39th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Landing on the Moon at their NASA Exploration Visitors Center. There were displays, NASA scientists talking about the lunar soil, and activities for children including making a lunar rocket, building an edible solar system, and a hands-on activity about lunar craters. 

The understanding craters activity involved dropping a metal object into a tray of flour, powdered cocoa and rock-like clumps of flour simulating the Moon's surface. A photographer (in the background) takes a photo at the exact moment of impact that is then shown on the screen (upper center) capturing the flying debris that the impact creates.

This is an demonstation of what one of NASA's future lunar spacecraft called Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) will do when it sends an impactor to the Moon's surface during its mission to study the debris with instruments on its orbiting satellite.

More about the Lunar Science Conference soon...

                                                                                                                     - Barbara David reporting