NASA and SDASM Present Space Author Andrew Chaikin

San Diego, CA - September 23, 2009 - On Saturday, October 3rd, science journalist and space historian Andrew Chaikin is scheduled to discuss the exciting events chronicled in his award-winning book, A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. Chaikin's book is widely regarded as the definitive account of the moon missions and was the main basis for Tom Hanks' 12-part HBO miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon, which won an Emmy for best miniseries. Chaikin spent eight years writing and researching A Man on the Moon, including over 150 hours of personal interviews with all of the living lunar astronauts. Museum visitors have the opportunity to meet and listen to his "Moonwalk Memories" and local Educators may attend the "Exploring the Moon" teacher workshop.

Moonwalk Memories (Public Event)
Public Talk - Saturday October 3rd - 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Forty years after the first moon landings, space author Andrew Chaikin looks back at the incredible lunar adventures of Armstrong, Aldrin, and the other Apollo astronauts who made humanity's first journeys to another world. Chaikin will share anecdotes from his extensive conversations with the moon-voyagers during his research for his award-winning book A Man on the Moon. He also looks ahead to NASA's upcoming LCROSS lunar-impact mission, which will try to discover whether deposits of ancient ice await future lunar explorers.

*Moonwalk Memories is free to the public with paid Museum admission.

Exploring the Moon (Educators Only)
Educator Talk - Saturday October 3rd - 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

What formed the craters of the moon? Why does the moon always keep one face pointed toward the Earth, and why does the side we see look so different from the far side? Where did the Apollo astronauts visit, and what did they find? Learn the answers to these and other fascinating moon mysteries when science journalist and space historian Andrew Chaikin gives a guided tour of the moon. Chaikin, author of A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts, will also look ahead to the LCROSS lunar-impact mission, which will strike the moon's south pole on October 9 to tell scientists whether deposits of ancient ice lie waiting at the lunar poles.

*This talk is reserved for educators only. RSVPs are required and can be made via the Museum web site.

For more information on Andrew Chaikin, please visit: www.andrewchaikin.com

For more information on the San Diego Air & Space Museum please visit: www.sandiegoairandspace.org

The San Diego Air & Space Museum is California's official air and space museum and education center. The Museum is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, and it was the first aero-themed Museum to be accredited by the American Association of Museums. Currently on display: THE DA VINCI EXPERIENCE, a special exhibition featuring remarkable reproductions of Leonardo da Vinci's most famous artwork and interactive replicas of his mechanical devices created more than 500 years ago. Visit www.sandiegoairandspace.org for more information. The Museum is located at 2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101. The Museum and gift store are open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with admissions until 5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.