NASA & METEOR CRATER Teaming Up

The annual communications between Meteor Crater & the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) will begin Mon., Sept. 4th, & will continue through Fri., Sept. 15th.

NASA scientists have traveled to Meteor Crater, the 1st proven & best reserved crater site in the world, for 2 weeks each year to conduct unique testing on rovers, spacesuits, communication systems & other equipment used for future space missions. Ever wondered where the Mars Rover was tested? You guessed it - Meteor Crater! Rock analysis equipment that automatically scans & transmits important scientific information back to NASA's headquarters in Houston has also been tested here.

But why Meteor Crater, you may be asking? Meteor Crater was created nearly 50,000 years ago when a massive meteorite struck the Earth at 40,000 miles per hour. The impact thrust millions of tons of rock & debris skyward & left a permanent mark on northern Arizona's landscape. The surface of the resulting crater so closely resembles the moon that NASA's Apollo astronauts trained at the crater in 1968 before taking those 1st steps on Earth's only natural satellite planet.

The tradition was started & NASA has been back to Meteor Crater nearly every year since to test & prepare for their next exploration into the universe. NASA's future involves returning to the Moon & human exploration of Mars, & the fieldwork done at Meteor Crater will be the basic method of operation on these planetary surfaces.

NASA visits to Meteor Crater are always welcome & have become a special event for anyone interested in Astrogeology, the study of meteors, & space enthusiasts. NASA scientists will be available to the public from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 15th at Meteor Crater's Astronaut Park. They'll demonstrate some of the various space equipment as well as answer questions from the public. Get your questions answered without even leaving your own neighborhood. If you're interested in our national advancements in space, this is the place to be!

Meteor Crater is located 30 minutes east of Flagstaff or 20 minutes west of Winslow on I-40, & is open year around. Admission fees include a guided, walking rim tour (weather permitting & closed-toe shoes recommended) & entrance into the Visitor Center's state-of-the-art Learning Center with 24 hands-on educational activities & exciting exhibits.

Prices are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, $6 for juniors (6-17 years), & children 5 & under are free. Special reduced group rates are available for school groups. Please make your school's field trip reservation by calling Robyn at 800-289-5898 & learn more at www.meteorcrater.com. Experience the Impact at Meteor Crater!