Trash On The Moon: Lunar Littering With The Strangest Things
The moon has become every grandma’s attic, filled with treasures, oddities, and “what the hell is that” moments.
From Neil Armstrong to Buzz Aldrin and Kalpana Chawla, we all know about the astronauts who went to space. But what about the trash on the moon they left behind? Believe it or not, there’s literally 96 bags of human poop and urine on the moon.
The moon has become a lunar dumpsite, where astronauts and space agencies have inadvertently turned it into the galaxy’s most exclusive junkyard.
We aren’t just talking about your average soda cans and potato chip bags here. We are talking about lunar littering on a whole new level. From misplaced golf balls to human feces on the lunar surface and discarded pizza crusts (yes, seriously), us humans have managed to pollute the moon too.
Buckle up as we take a cosmic journey through the strange, the bizarre, and the downright quirky artifacts left behind on our celestial neighbor.
Do Astronauts Leave Trash On The Moon?
Yes, astronauts and space agencies do leave junk on the moon. Exactly how much trash have we left on the moon? Reports from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) say that about 500,000 pounds of garbage has been left on the moon by humans.
Most of the waste is from the expeditions that led to humans landing on the moon between 1969 and 1972.
It’s been 50 years since the Apollo 11 moon landing during which the astronauts left behind various items on the lunar surface. This is when Neil Armstrong left behind his iconic footprint. The footprint is still intact obviously as there’s no air or wind to blow it.
What’s bothersome is that the astronauts left 96 bags of human poop diapers on the moon. Perhaps some of them even took a dump on the moon itself. There are other miscellaneous items, personal items left on the moon, artifacts, and equipment left behind on the moon which we shall discuss in length.
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Why Do Astronauts Litter The Moon?
Astronauts did not intentionally litter the moon. It was a cosmic conundrum for them. Picture this — Astronauts on the moon are pondering the ultimate dilemma of how to pack light for their return trip.
Every gram counts here as each kilogram increases fuel requirements and complexities of how the spaceship works. So, they decided to leave behind scientific experiments and sports equipment that they no longer needed.
Sometimes, the reasons were more sentimental. Astronauts left behind flags from their specific country or a family picture just to show their achievements.
Strangest Things Left On The Moon
The earth’s closest companion has become an open vault of human remnants and quirky artifacts. This raises the question of exactly how much trash we have left on the moon and what are they. Let’s find out:
1. Is there a golf ball on the moon?
Yes, there is. Astronaut Alan Shepard’s famous story of playing golf and baseball on the moon is indeed true. That’s the world’s first-ever zero gravity home run!
Back in 1961 during the Apollo mission, he took a swing making golf balls fly on the lunar surface. He was a golf fanatic and the balls still lie there.
2. Family photos and an art gallery
Imagine being Charles Duke, standing on the lunar surface in 1972, leaving behind a heartfelt memento—a family photo and a note that forever marked his place in history. The note read, “This is the family of Astronaut Dule from planet Earth. Landed on the Moon, April 1972.”
His gesture not only symbolized the triumph of Apollo 16 but also captured the deeply personal side of space exploration. He tried to connect the vastness of the Moon with the intimacy of family. How sweet is that!
Then there’s the “Moon Museum,” a collaborative artwork curated by Forrest Myers, housing tiny masterpieces by notable artists. This miniature gallery, quietly nestled on the Moon, speaks volumes about human creativity and the enduring spirit of artistic expression. It’s a testament to how even in the far reaches of space, humanity finds ways to leave its mark through both sentiment and artistry.
Another artistic thing left behind on the moon includes “Moon Museum” curated by artist Forrest Myers. This piece of art consists of six miniature artworks from esteemed artists.
3. Silicon discs
The Apollo 11 astronauts also left behind silicon discs containing goodwill messages from various world leaders and dignitaries. Along with these discs, they also left behind signatures of 73 prominent humans that were microscopically engraved on the discs.
These signs serve as a poignant reminder that even in the quietness and distance of space, humans still believed in humanity and had aspirations for peace.
4. Human waste
Even astronauts have to respond to calls from nature. They left behind 96 bags of human urine and feces. These were left behind so the astronauts could bring lunar dust and rocks to Earth.
This is a sign for us to never forget that they sacrificed their comfort for greater human exploration.
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5. Flags and plaques
Flags from many countries have been planted firmly on the moon as a symbol of pride and achievement of each nation. Some astronauts even left behind commemorative plaques bearing messages of peace and unity.
This remains a poignant reminder for us to always be proud of our country no matter where life takes us.
6. Ashes
Renowned Geologist, Eugene Shoemaker, was given a farewell befitting his love for stargazing. When he passed away, his ashes were flown to the moon. Shoemaker still continues to inspire millions of people today to reach for the stars and explore the unknown.
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7. Feather and hammer
Galileo Galilei once dropped a feather and a hammer from the Leaning Tower of Pisa to prove that the speed with which they both fall has nothing to do with their mass.
During Apollo 15, astronaut David Scott paid homage to this theory and dropped a feather and a hammer to recreate this experiment.
The enduring quest for knowledge is quite visible in David Scott’s act of dropping a feather and hammer. It’s an example for us all to never stop being curious about the workings of the Earth and beyond.
Conclusion: The Curious Case Of Cosmic Lunar Littering
Each piece of trash left behind tells a story of every astronaut’s ambition and innovation. While the moon remains a pristine time capsule for human exploration, it is also a responsibility for us to take care of it as we take care of our planet. In the end, this space junk also serves as a reminder for us. It motivates us and our capacity to reach for the stars and leave our mark on the universe.
