Celebrating Apollo 11 with a Moon Phase Clock

July 18, 2024

“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” – Neil Armstrong, 20th of July 1969.

July 2024 marks the 55th anniversary of the revolutionary Apollo 11 moon landing. A moment that will go down in history, the main objective of the 1969 moon landing was to honour a national goal set by the late President John F. Kennedy on the 25th of May 1961, who set a challenge to put a man on the moon before the decade is out, and amazingly as hoped they just about managed it.

At 9:32 am, on the 16th of July 1969, 3 astronauts, Commander - Neil Armstrong, Lunar module pilot – Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin, and Command module pilot – Michael Collins took the ‘giant leap’. Blasting off from Kennedy Space Centre on Merritt Island in Florida.

The journey to the moon took 3 days, 3 hours and 49 minutes. At 10:51 pm the ‘eagle had landed’, and Neil Armstrong officially became the first man to walk on the moon, followed closely by Buzz Aldrin. Although the mission goal was to or not so simply complete a lunar landing, Armstrong and Aldrin also collected moon samples, took photographs of the moon's surface, and of course, planted the famous American flag to mark the outstanding American technological achievement.

At 11:49 am on the 24th of July 1969 ‘Splashdown’ The astronauts returned to earth, landing in the Pacific Ocean around 812 nautical miles southwest of Hawaii, where the USS Hornet was waiting to pick up the crew. Navy Divers were deployed to retrieve the astronauts who were given isolation suits in case the moon had any traces of biological pathogens, following their return the astronauts stayed in quarantine for 21 days after landing.

The 1969 moon landing has inspired and educated people from all over the world sparking interest in further exploration.

Celebrate the Apollo moon landing anniversary with a Moon Phase Clock. Connect with the moon like never before with ClimeMET’s range of Moon Phase Clocks. As seen on ITV’s ‘This Morning’ our Moon Phase Clocks are the perfect addition to any dedicated gardener or stargazer’s home.

Our moon phase clocks rotate on a 29.5-day cycle, which is the number of days it takes to complete a lunar cycle, there are a total of 12 lunar phases. Each cycle begins with the New Moon where the moon is positioned between the Earth and the sun, the moon appears dark to us on earth at this time. The Waxing Crescent is the period between the New Moon and the emergence of the Full Moon, portions of sunlight become more visible each night during this time. After the Full Moon is reached the Waning Crescent begins and continues until the moon returns to its initial position between the earth and the sun, or as we know it ‘The New Moon’.

Many believe that planting and harvesting at certain points during the lunar cycle have a significant impact on the fertility and growth in the soil. It’s suggested that the moon’s gravitational pull affected soil moisture, pulling it toward the soil surface. Therefore, during the Full Moon and New Moon, it’s said that the seeds will absorb more water, causing the seeds to swell which results in greater germination. During the Waxing period, the guideline is to plant your annual flowers, fruit, and vegetables that grow above the ground. During the Waning period, it’s advised to plant flowering bulbs, biennial and perennial flowers, and vegetables that grow below the ground.

Our Moon Phase Clocks, are the perfect tool to aid you on your gardening journey, whilst also enhancing your home décor and connecting you with the natural world.

FAQs:

How do I set my Moon Phase Clock to the lunar cycle: Consult the ClimeMET Moon Phase Calendar to identify the next full moon (this is the optimal time to set up your clock.) Using the cog on the back of the clock, set your hand to the correct position on the dial.
Do I need batteries for my Moon Phase Clock: Yes, our Moon Phase Clocks are battery-powered, all you need is 1 AA battery to slot in the back of your clock.
Is my Moon Phase Clock waterproof: Our clocks are set in a weather-proof casing which has been powder coated for a smooth finish. You can mount your Moon Phase Clock either indoors or outdoors if sheltered.
Are there personalisation options: Yes, all of our clocks offer a personalisation option for a small additional fee, this varies based on the chosen product.
Will I ever need to reset my Moon Phase Clock: It’s recommended that you reset your clock after each equinox, this occurs twice a year; the transition from winter to spring and summer to autumn, usually around the 20th of March and the 22nd of September.