Moon Geology Training

The words

1. Askja

   Astronauts trained near Askja in Iceland, where sparse vegetation left volcanic features exposed. They studied lava flows, ash cones and other landforms, practicing observations for lunar exploration.

   Phinney, p. 63 · NASA: Phinney’s science training history (opens a new tab)

2. Cinder Lake

   At Cinder Lake near Flagstaff, the USGS blasted craters into volcanic cinders to copy a lunar site at full size. Astronauts used the artificial landscape for field rehearsals.

   NASA: Arizona’s lunar crater fields (opens a new tab) · USGS: Apollo geology training history (opens a new tab)

3. Dale Jackson

   Dale Jackson headed the USGS astronaut training group in Houston. He helped organize the geological instruction that prepared astronauts for observing and collecting rocks on the Moon.

   Schaber, p. 62 · USGS: Apollo geology training history (opens a new tab)

4. Field Geology

   Studying rocks and landforms in their natural setting.

   For Apollo 11, field practice meant choosing samples that represented the different rocks at a site. Astronauts needed that judgment when time on the Moon was limited.

   NASA: Apollo 11’s Texas geology trip (opens a new tab)

5. Flagstaff

   Flagstaff, Arizona, offered training grounds near volcanic terrain. The nearby Cinder Lake crater fields let Apollo astronauts rehearse exploration in a landscape modeled on the Moon.

   NASA: Arizona’s lunar crater fields (opens a new tab)

6. Gene Shoemaker

   Gene Shoemaker helped establish geological training for astronauts. In January 1963, he led a group near Flagstaff to compare impact and volcanic features before studying the Moon.

   Phinney, p. 29 · NASA: Phinney’s science training history (opens a new tab)

7. Grand Canyon

   In March 1964, astronauts walked through the Grand Canyon with geologists. Along the trails, they studied rock layers, faults and the boundaries between formations to interpret geological history.

   Schaber, p. 78 · USGS: Apollo geology training history (opens a new tab)

8. Hand Lens

   A hand lens was a small magnifier for examining rocks. During Apollo planning, geologists considered how its view would work through a spacesuit helmet, with the lens held outside.

   Schaber, pp. 140–141 · USGS: Apollo geology training history (opens a new tab)

9. Katmai

   Astronauts visited Alaska’s Katmai region in 1965 and 1966. Its Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes offered volcanic deposits where they could practice observing landforms and collecting geological samples.

   Did you know?

   The valley took its name from the many vents that released steam and gas after the 1912 eruption. Some vents lasted until the 1990s.

   NASA: the Moon game in Alaska (opens a new tab)

10. Kilauea

    In January 1965, astronauts examined volcanic features at Kilauea in Hawaii. They crossed the cooling Kilauea Iki lava lake and studied evidence left by recent eruptions.

    Schaber, p. 112 · USGS: Apollo geology training history (opens a new tab)

11. Meteor Crater

    Meteor Crater was a stop on Shoemaker’s January 1963 geology trip. Comparing this impact crater with nearby volcanic features helped astronauts distinguish different origins for circular landforms.

    Phinney, p. 29 · NASA: Phinney’s science training history (opens a new tab)

12. Moon Game

    The Moon game placed pairs of astronauts at unfamiliar field sites as if they were on the Moon. They practiced selecting representative samples and describing observations to scientists.

    NASA: the Moon game in Alaska (opens a new tab)

13. Phantom Ranch

    During Grand Canyon training in March 1964, astronauts stayed overnight in Phantom Ranch’s cabins. Their descent and return climb gave them different views of the canyon’s geology.

    Did you know?

    On the climb back, mules were available for astronauts who wanted a ride. Some rode, while others chose to walk the rest of the way.

    Phinney, p. 55 · NASA: Phinney’s science training history (opens a new tab)

14. Rock Hammer

    During field rehearsals, astronauts carried a lunar rock hammer with sample bags and other collecting tools. These exercises helped them practice working as lunar explorers.

    Did you know?

    The training camera was attached to the astronaut’s chest. Aiming it meant turning the body, and crews studied their practice pictures to improve the results.

    NASA: field training and photography (opens a new tab)

15. Sierra Blanca

    Armstrong and Aldrin practiced geology near Sierra Blanca, Texas, on February 24, 1969. Their backups, Lovell and Haise, joined them in learning to select a representative rock collection.

    NASA: Apollo 11’s Texas geology trip (opens a new tab)