How much do you know about Apollo 11 and NASA's other Apollo moon missions? Find out now, 40 years after the first manned moon landing.
Tip: first, bone up with our Apollo 11 moon landing facts. Answers at bottom.
1. Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were the first and second humans to walk on the moon. Who was the third member of the Apollo 11 mission?
a. Alan Shepard
b. Michael Collins
c. James Lovell
d. William Anders
2. Shortly after landing on the moon, Apollo 11 lunar module pilot Buzz Aldrin did what?
a. Recited "Ode to Apollo"
b. Shaved his beard
c. Took Communion
d. Broke his toe
3. A new mineral was discovered among the moon samples that astronauts brought back to Earth. What was it named?
a. Armacolite
b. Brookite
c. Titanite
d. Warwickite
4. What is featured on the official Apollo 11 emblem?
a. Astronauts with American flag
b. Bald eagle landing on moon
c. Spacecraft orbiting Earth
d. The Statue of Liberty
5. Apollo 11 astronauts had two meal choices. Which of the following was NOT an available item?
a. Bacon squares
b. Chicken cordon bleu
c. Date fruitcake
d. Cream of chicken soup
6. During which Apollo mission did Alan Shepard play golf on the moon?
a. Apollo 11
b. Apollo 14
c. Apollo 16
d. Apollo 17
7. Which president's signature is on the plaque left behind by Apollo 11 astronauts?
a. John F. Kennedy
b. Lyndon Johnson
c. Richard Nixon
d. Gerald Ford
8. The famous "Blue Marble" photograph of Earth was taken during which Apollo mission?
a. Apollo 8
b. Apollo 11
c. Apollo 16
d. Apollo 17
9. Which of the following major news stories occurred at the same time as the Apollo 11 mission?
a. Jimi Hendrix's death
b. The Chappaquiddick incident
c. Abduction of Patty Hearst
d. Charles Manson killings
10. Where did the Apollo 11 crew splash down?
a. Pacific Ocean
b. Atlantic Ocean
c. Gulf of Mexico
d. Chesapeake Bay
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ANSWERS
1. b
On July 20, 1969, while Armstrong and Aldrin became the first humans to walk on another world, pilot Michael Collins stayed behind in the command module and orbited the moon.
2. c
Aldrin, a Presbyterian, brought a small Communion kit with him on Apollo 11 and took Holy Communion shortly after landing on the moon. Aldrin did not read the biblical verses out loud (and over the radio) because of a lawsuit against NASA by a woman angered over the reading of Bible verses during Apollo 8.
3. a
Previously unknown, armacolite (named for ARMstrong, ALdrin, and COLlins) was discovered at Tranquility Base on the moon. Examples of the mineral were also later found on Earth.
4. b
The Apollo 11 emblem features a bald eagle with an olive branch in its claws, landing on the moon's surface. Also visible is Earth in the background—though Apollo 11 pilot Michael Collins mistakenly drew the sunshine coming from the wrong direction.
5. b
Chicken cordon bleu wasn't an option for the Apollo 11 crew. Meal A was bacon squares, peaches, sugar cookie cubes, coffee, and pineapple-grapefruit drink, and Meal B was beef stew, cream of chicken soup, date fruitcake, grape punch, and orange drink.
6. b
The fifth person ever to walk on the moon, Apollo 14 astronaut Alan Shepard is also the only person ever to have played golf on the lunar surface. In 1971 Shepard fitted an eight-iron head to the handle of a lunar sample collection device and hit three golf balls. The balls are still there.
7. c
Though John F. Kennedy was the president who issued the challenge to put a man on the moon by 1970, Richard Nixon was in office in July 1969—and it's his signature on the plaque that reads: "Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the moon, July 1969 A.D. We came in peace for all mankind."
8. d
Apollo 17 astronauts snapped the "Blue Marble" photograph on December 7, 1972, about five hours after the spacecraft lifted off on its way to the moon. The image is striking because it is one of the few photos of the fully illuminated Earth.
9. b
On July 19, 1969, the body of Mary Jo Kopechne was found inside Sen. Ted Kennedy's car, which was under water off Chappaquiddick Island, Massachusetts. The ensuing news coverage shared the front page of newspapers with the Apollo landing.
10. a
The Apollo 11 crew splashed down safely on July 24, 1969, in the Pacific Ocean, about 1,440 nautical miles (2,670 kilometers) east of Wake Island. After being picked up they were put into quarantine, where they spent the next 21 days.
More Apollo 11 Moon Landing 40th Anniversary Coverage
• APOLLO 11 HOAX PHOTOS: 8 Moon-Landing Myths—Busted
• APOLLO 11 AT 40: Who Owns the Moon?
• MOON PICTURES: 1960s Orbiter Images Restored
• VIDEO: Abandoned McDonald's Serves Restored Moon Pics
• APOLLO 11 PHOTOS: First Manned Moon Landing
• APOLLO 11 HISTORY: Sounds of the Space Age Interactive
• EARTH'S FIRST RISE: Dive Deep Into a Lunar Orbiter Picture
• MOON PHOTOS: New Lunar Orbiter's First Pictures
• Moon Myths Quiz
• Moon Quiz
• APOLLO 11: New Before-and-After Photos of Moon Bases
• PHOTOS: Apollo 11 Among Landmarks in Google's New Moon
