Society & Culture
"We set sail upon this sea, because there is new knowledge to be gained." -John F Kennedy The moon has held a special place in cultures across the globe. An object of mystical wonder and focus of scientific inquiry, the moon is an enduring subject for artists, poets and writers. To land on the moon represented not only a remarkable technological achievement, but one that created in human history a shared moment of optimism. An achievement for human ambition and scientific discovery, born out of the geopolitical competition between nations. In this the first talk of the series, explore how that moment changed our perceptions of space and of ourselves. What ingenuity, innovation, and lesser-known talent among a collaboration involving hundreds of thousands made such a momentous achievement possible? And did how the Apollo program changed our lives, and the lives of those who made the seemingly impossible journey? Join Professor Brian Schmidt AC, Nobel Laureate and Vice-Chancellor of the Australian National University, Associate Professor Charles Line Weaver, and Professor Joan Leach, Director of The Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science (CPAS) at ANU for this fascinating discussion. Discover and register for future events in the series at cass.anu.edu.au/wtstw Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Contact Us for more information.