Country Connection: Musing about the moon

As far back as I can remember, I've always been fascinated by astronomy. I guess what struck me the most was the vastness of the universe.

I was 16 years old when Neil Armstrong landed on the moon. It's depressing that kids in school are learning this as history and I remember it. I remember watching the whole episode unfolding though, on live TV. I seem to recall that the actual landing occurred in the very early hours of the morning for us in this country. I couldn't believe what I what I was seeing: men on the moon, chipping golf balls, doing the slow-motion run, planting the American flag and putting up a plaque which read, "We came in peace for all mankind."

I always thought it was odd that we went to the moon a few times and then just stopped, like it never happened. There are some people who believe we never really did go to the moon, let alone land on it. These conspiracy theory fans believe the whole thing was staged and actually broadcast from a movie sound stage. In fact, Oliver Stone is said to be working on a new film exposing the hoax. I think with human nature, being what it is, somebody would've blabbed by now and let the secret out of the bag, if it really never happened.

In any event, I was thrilled to hear that we are heading back again. This time, it will be an unmanned missile. The mission: to bomb the moon. The idea is to smash the missile into the surface of the moon. Five thousand pounds of dead weight careening in at 5,600 mph. Why? To determine if there is any water in there, or if there was ever any water in there. The plume of debris caused by the crash could rise as much as six miles and will be visible from Earth. The plume will be tested by another vehicle in search of traces of water, or signs that water once existed on the moon.

What's the point of all this? Suppose they are able to prove that water existed on the moon millions of years ago? So what? It really doesn't matter today, does it?

I just hope they are careful in picking the spot on the moon to bomb. I would hate to see them bomb the plaque that reads, "We came in peace for all mankind.”

Denny More hosts “More in the Morning” weekdays from 5 to 10 a.m. on Thunder 104.5 Everything Country and More.