Space Frontier Saturn V Moon Rocket Ride (2009)

It was fifty years ago last Saturday that Man first landed on the Moon. There were many celebrations over the weekend, just as there were around the time of the forty year anniversary. It was ten years ago that in Second Life, Wicked Quasimodo built an interactive Saturn V rocket. Bixyl Shuftan wrote about the massive space vehicle in detail.

Read the 2009 article in the Second Life Newspaper Archives.

Apollo Moon Landing 50th Anniversary Celebrated at National Space Society

Saturday August 20 was a big day for space fans. It was the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, the first time in human history Man had set foot on a place other than Earth. A number of  places in Second Life had events to celebrate the occasion. Among them was the National Space Society sim, owned by the National Space Society in Second Life.

At their Tranquility Base area high over the sim, a number or people celebrated with a "Sock Hop." On display were pictures, and one could see videos of the event.

At this event, and others, a number of people talked about the landing and it's significance. One person had basically lost hope that we'd return withing his lifetime. But most whom expressed an opinion felt we'd be back, eventually. It was pretty much agreed this was an event that would continued to be talked about for ages to come.

For those wanting to see "real time" footage of the event, check out this website: https://apolloinrealtime.org/11/

Bixyl Shuftan

Eye On The Blog: "#Apollo50th #SecondLifeChallenge"

It was fifty years ago this week that the Apollo 11 rocket launched, and on July 20 that year two of it's astronauts would walk on the moon. Various places and groups in Second Life are having celebration events, such as the National Space Society. Linden Lab is getting in on the events by inviting people to take part in their latest "hashtag SecondLifeChallenge" event, "#Apollo50th," which Xiola Linden posted about yesterday.

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon launch! Four days later, mankind touched down on the moon's surface and  "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." was born! We wanted to celebrate the momentous occasion with a #SecondLifeChallenge

To take part, the Lab is asking residents to take screenshots and/or videos of themselves and/or friends exploring outer space locations. You then share the picture on social media "using the hashtags #Apollo50th, #Apollo50, #Apollo11,  and #SecondLifeChallenge," as well as posting on Flickr. Of the Flickr pictures, "using the hashtags #Apollo50th and #SecondLifeChallenge ," you submit them to two Second Life Flickr groups, Second Life Official, and Second Life Challenge - Official.

The Lab is offering no prizes, nor is there any competition.

The blog post would also mention the National Space Society's celebration of the Moon Landing tomorrow, Saturday July 20, and the International Spaceflight Museum.

To view the blog post in full, Click Here.

Press Release: Moon Landing Day 2019 - 50th Anniversary

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11’s first first landing of humankind on the Moon. Join us at our Tranquility Base venue on Saturday, July 20th, for two historic video watch parties, and a Space Age Sock Hop with DJ Aristippus (details below).

 http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/National%20Space%20Society/50/100/3675

Video watch parties:

We will gather at Tranquility Base at 1pm SL time ahead of the landing time, and again at 7:30pm SL time in advance of the first steps on the Moon, where we will watch the videos and discuss the past, present and future of space exploration and development. You can view these videos on our screens or in your browser any time, but the information below will allow you to sync with the timing of the historic events.

Apollo 11 Moon Landing - CBS Coverage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E96EPhqT-ds
Video start time to sync:  1:02:28 pm SL time

Apollo 11 First Steps on the Moon - recently restored video of the first lunar EVA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9HdPi9Ikhk
Video start time to sync:  7:52:45 pm SL time

You can also watch and listen to:
“Hope Eyrie” (The Eagle Has Landed) - anthem of the Space Age
Performed by Julia Ecklar, written by Leslie Fish, video edited by Per Malm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cVOOXQo22o


Space Age Sock Hop with DJ Aristippus!

4-6pm SL time, Saturday, 20 July

Join us at Tranquility Base (see landmark above) for some songs with a space theme, some that come from the Moon landing era, and a whole lot of classic rock and roll. Costumes not required, but we encourage spacesuits or period sock hop outfits. Freebie classic avatar spacesuits available!

Aristippus, The Sexy Dj, has been DJing for many years. He mostly plays songs that he has uploaded from his personal collection of vinyl LPs and 45s. He is an original Baby Boomer, born in Year 1 of that generation. As such on Oct. 4, 1957, he was almost 11 years old when Sputnik went up, ushering in the age of space exploration.


For more information on the Apollo 11 mission:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_11

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/apollo/missions/apollo11.html

http://www.lpi.usra.edu/lunar/missions/apollo/apollo_11/

http://apollo11.spacelog.org

http://www.earthtothemoon.com/apollo_11.html


Check out the Apollo 11 exhibit at the Neil A. Armstrong Library and Archives here:

Begin Apollo 11 historical tour here
[ http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/National%20Space%20Society/152/123/3012 ]

Get a FREE Apollo 11 wearable spacesuit here
[ http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/National%20Space%20Society/77/124/3005 ]


See the Saturn V / Apollo stack, Launch Umbilical Tower, and Vertical Assembly Building at the International Spaceflight Museum's "Spaceport Bravo" region:

Saturn V / Apollo stack at ISM Spaceport Bravo
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Spaceport%20Bravo/57/57/38

Listen to our Moon Music playlist through the end of July:


Sponsored by the National Space Society in SL and the International Spaceflight Museum:

We are the in-world presence of the National Space Society, an international organization of like-minded people, from the interested public to grassroots activists to astronauts and space scientists.

http://space.nss.org

Welcome to the International Spaceflight Museum! We strive to create full-scale, accurate models of rockets and other spacecraft, and present astronomical information in an interactive, accessible way. This museum was started in late 2005, and has been at the present location on Spaceport Alpha since early 2006.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Spaceport%20Alpha/48/78/24

http://ismuseum.org

Announcement: "Headline Apollo by The Beckridge Gallery"

THE BECKRIDGE GALLERY PRESENTS "HEADLINE APOLLO"
A POP UP EXHIBIT BY DIAMOND MARCHANT

An exhibit of front page print journalism by the Fort Worth Star Telegram during the Apollo 11 moon mission

July 15 thru July 28, 2019 at The Beckridge Gallery, Bellesseria, Second Life
Free and open to the public

The 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon mission has brought forth numerous books, films, and exhibits that offer different perspectives on this unique human achievement. In this vein, the "Headline Apollo" exhibit presents what the readers of a north Texas newspaper saw over this 10 day period in July, 1969. A newspaper of that era covered this history making mission with great detail and emphasis, but simultaneously reported on other issues of the day, such as Vietnam, Chappaquiddick, Luna 15, Nixon, hospital taxes, local crime, and baby names.

The exhibit also includes NASA archival photos of the mission, magazine covers, and a tip of the hat to the first visit to the moon by humans, Apollo 8.

The newspapers presented in "Headline Apollo" (except for July 21 morning) were collected and archived in 1969 by a young diamond Marchant and photographed in 2019.

About the Beckridge Gallery

The Beckridge Gallery of Bellesseria, Second Life is a small indoor gallery that hosts one exhibit at a time. Exhibit topics include art, science, and history and may concern the real world as well as Second Life activities.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Beckridge/198/136/25

Media Contacts

diamond Marchant
diamond.marchant.sl@gmail.com

Three SL16B Exhibits

There's so many exhibits at the Second Life Birthday, we can't write about them all. But we can put the spotlight on a few. One is from the Safe Waters Foundation, a community of merfolk and their landwalking friends.

Tell your friends!  There be mermaids, mermen and sea creatures at the celebration event for SL's 16th year of existence (SLBD16)! Do come by to see our booth ... and check out the other displays.  Booth is incredibly well done by JJ Yowahoshi (Miss JJ).  Thanks  to Miss JJ and Celtic Infinity for all their hard work and talent. Hope you have a moment to drop in and admire our outreach to let people know - MER IS AN OPTION.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL16B%20Astonish/29/161/21

With the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing next month, it's fitting that there would be a "Back to the Moon" exhibit,  made by both the International Space Museum and National Space Society.

From the era of sock hops and the Space Age, to a possible future a short 16 years from now, the International Spaceflight Museum and the National Space Society invite you “Back to the Moon!” in a tribute to the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11.

While getting a man to the Moon became science fact in 1969, in the 50s, it was still very much science-fiction. Part of the exhibit is a nod to how people in the 50s imagined the trip. Another part examines how in the near future we won't be just returning, but making a base there.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL16B%20Astonish/157/99/24

With the Relay for Life in Second Life having just concluded it's fundraising season, it's fans will appreciate it's own exhibit at the Second Life Birthday. This build by Eclair Martinek resembles the inside of a 50s diner.

Since 2007 the American Cancer Society has had a "virtual office" in Second Life. The American Cancer Society provides inworld support groups for cancer Survivors and Caregivers throughout the year at Hope Haven on the American Cancer Society region. Visit the Relay for Life exhibit at SL16B for more information.


Probably the most important development in the 1950s in the fight against cancer was that the link between cigarettes and lung cancer was clearly established in 1950.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/SL16B%20Enchant/48/200/23

Be sure to visit these, and other exhibits, at the Second Life Birthday

Bixyl Shuftan

Moon Landing Anniversary Celebrated at the National Space Society

It was 46 years ago on July 20 1969 in which the Apollo Moon Landing took place. Celebrated by space fans across the world, Second Life was no exception, a party being held in the event's honor by the National Space Society's Second Life group. The party was held in the sim of the same name.

Celebrate the anniversary of the first humans from now until ‘one small step’ at 17:56:15 SL time at the party pavilion on our recreation of Tranquility Base.  We have dancing to a special Moon Music playlist, along with the discussion of the past present and future of space exploration and development (and how about that Pluto flyby, too?)

A number of avatars of all kinds, furs, robots, ponies, and of course a few alien-looking avatars joined the normal human ones in dancing and chatting at the pavilion.  There were a few space-related freebies one could get, such as a scruffy-looking "Hobo space suit." There was also a video screen showing footage of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, in addition to playing some recordings related to the recent Pluto space probe.

There was a build of the Moon Landing there, celebrating the "one small step" Neil Armstrong made, in addition to several other builds, including a rocket that would occasionally launch from the pavilion.

There was much space-related chatter among those in the group, at one point the question being posed what would come first, a moon base, a landing on Mars, or a permanent space colony? Each has it's challenges, that of a trip to Mars being cosmic rays being bad for brain tissue over time.

The National Space Society sim has a number of exhibits, and the group meets once a week on Monday at 3PM SL time.

Bixyl Shuftan.

The Moon Landing Anniversary in Second Life

Forty-five years ago last Sunday, July 20, Man landed on the moon. Although the anniversary got scant attention in the media, in Second Life members of the National Space Society took a little time to celebrate. People were invited over to take a few freebies, read some information, look at some builds of NASA moon objects, and hold some conversation with fellow space enthusiasts. Getting there was just "one small step for an avatar."

Read more in Events.

Space Frontier Saturn V Moon Rocket Ride (2009)

Forty-five years ago this Sunday, humankind first landed on the moon. Five years ago in Second Life, as a tribute to the Apollo landing, Wicked Quasimodo built an interactive Saturn V moon rocket that took off every half hour, taking up anyone inside. In this article from Second Life Newspaper in 2009, the build is described in detail.

Read the article in Design.

The National Space Society Celebrates the Moon Landing

It was 44 years ago last Saturday in which Niel Armstrong set foot on the moon, the first time mankind had stepped on the surface on another place in space. To celebrate, the National Space Society held a party for the occasion near their library. Some noteworthy people showed up, some space ballads were played, and one of the NSS crew had a pretty active day earlier at the Neil Armstrong Museum in Ohio.

Read more in Events.

Remembering Neil Armstrong

Last weekend came some sad news for space fans. Neil Armstrong, the first man who walked on the Moon, passed away. He was 82 years old.

The news certainly got many, including myself, pondering. It was a reminder of how long ago what some consider our high-water mark in manned space exploration was reached. It also got some wondering "What happened to him?" Unlike some astronauts whom stayed in the spotlight, such as Senator John Glenn, he instead went back to Ohio for a job in teaching and bought some farmland.

When his family was asked how should the rest of us remember him, one answered that the next time we see the moon, think of Neil Armstrong, his fellow astronauts, and the journey they went through.

A few years ago on the forty-year anniversary, there was an exhibit in the Second Life Sci-Lands that allowed residents to do just that. Built by a Wicked Quasimodo, it was never quite finished, and went up once an hour, along with any space fan whom was waiting for a ride. As the sim it was on, Space Frontier, is now gone, what happened to it is still unknown. But in Spaceport Bravo, west of Spaceport Alpha, one can still find this Saturn V Apollo rocket. One can just barely see my five-foot avatar at the bottom near the launch platform treads, showing just how big these massive rockets, and their launch pads, were.

Bixyl Shuftan

Scenes from The Lost Gardens of Apollo

Sunday the 26th saw the end of an admired classic sim, "The Lost Gardens of Apollo." Before it faded into history, many stopped by to see the place one last time, or finally see it before it was too late. For those who couldn't make it, here are a number of screenshots.

See more in Places.

"The Lost Gardens of Apollo" Fades Away Today

Earlier this month, the "Crooked House" was facing the end, but thankfully got a reprieve. Unfortunetly, it wasn't the only place in trouble. Two other sims are set to fade away. One is the Mioan Empire, set to end July 6. The other is the Lost Gardens of Apollo, set to disappear today.

Stopping by the Apollo sim, I was surrounded by beauty. There was lush vegetation all around, and birds would occasionally fly overhead or nearby. Further away were some cuddle spots for couples, and small pools one could float in or sun themselves on the sides. A few towers stood high above the island. The place could only be described as an Eden.

I ran into the manager Samlowry Hawks. He was heartbroken by the impending end, and encouraged me and other visitors to take one last look at the sim before it vanishes. He had made this machinima in a hurry, then uploaded it as a tribute to the place and what it stood for.

"Dane Zander, Sean Hadlee, Flix Zeppelin and your servant, Samlowry Hawks, are sad to announce to you the end of the sim 'The Lost gardens of Apollo.' This early place of Second Life (2005) was known for the quality of its surrounding and the good taste of its relationships. As part of Second Life history, many veterans began their special moments in our virtual world by visiting its ballroom reserved to men and women of wealth and taste. Many love stories passed through this dance floor. It's tai chi place was well known and appreciated as far as groups were created just for this parcel of the sim."

"This machinima is a filmed memory for next generation of residents to remind them this incontrovertible place, part of the phenomenon of Second Life in the years 2006 and 2007. To all the past visitors, thank you for your kindness, your kind messages I received since the news was official. To you all, you will all miss us and as "the Lost Gardens of Apollo" cultivated some kind of way to see virtuality, we, all the team, hope you will spread the spirit of the Gardens we worked so hard to defend in there all around the metaverse."

"Thank you so much for all these years of happiness and discovery. So long dear companions. Rest in peace, 'The lost gardens of Apollo.' "

If it's still around, check out the Apollo sim before it vanishes.

"Please never forget this place. Thank you for your kind visit. Just note this was not just a VIP place. It was created to be what Second Life must have: a haven. This Eden will pass. Please keep in your mind that a silly man dreamed enough to make an island to be just right."

Bixyl Shuftan