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Moonlighting: Warwick Apollo 11 Replica Set Beneath Model Moon

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] An enormous replica of the moon sits inside the Water Fire Arts Center, 475 Valley St., Providence, above a Warwick-crafted replica of the Apollo 11 command module. The exhibit runs through July 28.
[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] An enormous replica of the moon sits inside the Water Fire Arts Center, 475 Valley St., Providence, above a Warwick-crafted replica of the Apollo 11 command module. The exhibit runs through July 28.
[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] An enormous replica of the moon sits inside the Water Fire Arts Center, 475 Valley St., Providence, above a Warwick-crafted replica of the Apollo 11 command module. The exhibit runs through July 28.
[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] A replica of the moon inside the Water Fire Arts Center, above a Warwick-crafted replica of the Apollo 11 command module. The exhibit runs through July 28.
[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] A Warwick-crafted replica of the Apollo 11 command module rests at the Waterfire Arts Center.The exhibit runs through July 28.
[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] A Warwick-crafted replica of the Apollo 11 command module rests at the Waterfire Arts Center.The exhibit runs through July 28.
PROVIDENCE — The Apollo 11 capsule replica built by the students of the Warwick Area Career Technical Center had another voyage left after Saturday’s Moon landing parade, this time to Providence’s Waterfire Arts Center, displayed below a model of the mission’s destination.

Apollo 11 astronauts Michael Collins, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin journeyed within the orbit of the Moon 50 years ago, landing the latter two members of the team on its grainy, gray surface. The event has been the subject of numerous news articles, movies, and documentaries, several of them created to celebrate the anniversary. At the Waterfire Arts Center, it has inspired the series: “To the Moon and Beyond: Celebrating the 50th-Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing with Art, Science, and Exploration.”

The series boasts, “The Museum of the Moon,” a a highly-detailed 23’ diameter Moon replica hanging from the ceiling of the cavernous Arts Center exhibit space. In all, there are 10 “Museum of the Moon” installations, which will travel to 25 countries this year. At the moment, there are two in the United States: In Draper, Boston through October and here, in Rhode Island at the 475 Valley St., Providence exhibit space through July 28.

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] A Warwick-crafted replica of the Apollo 11 command module rests at the Waterfire Arts Center, not far from 7-meter replica of the moon, the capsule's destination.
[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] A Warwick-crafted replica of the Apollo 11 command module rests at the Waterfire Arts Center, not far from 7-meter replica of the moon, the capsule’s destination.

The 7-meter diameter model displays about 5 kilometers for every centimeter of its interior-lit surface, which glows like the original, shining like an enormous lantern from within the picture window facade of the center.

“As a child I always wanted a telescope so I could study the Moon and the night’s sky. Now with my own Moon, I can fly there, study every detail and share this experience with the public. We can explore the far side of the Moon which is never visible from Earth,” said Luke Jerram, the artist who created the replica.

“I had the idea to create the Museum of the Moon some 15 years ago, but it was only until very recently that the data for creating the Moon imagery was made available by NASA.”

Open Hours: Monday to Friday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and 7:00 to 9:00 pm; Thursdays until 10:00 pm.
Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 5:00 pm and 7:00 – 9:00 pm. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

 

 

[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] The Warwick-crafted replica of the Apollo 11 command module at the Waterfire Arts Center, not far from 7-meter replica of the moon.
[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] The Warwick-crafted replica of the Apollo 11 command module at the Waterfire Arts Center, not far from a 7-meter replica of the moon.
[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] An enormous replica of the moon sits inside the Water Fire Arts Center, 475 Valley St., Providence. The exhibit runs through July 28.
[CREDIT: Mary Carlos] An enormous replica of the moon sits inside the Water Fire Arts Center, 475 Valley St., Providence. The exhibit runs through July 28.
[CREDIT: Mary Carlos] An enormous replica of the moon sits inside the Water Fire Arts Center, 475 Valley St., Providence. The exhibit runs through July 28.
[CREDIT: Rob Borkowski] An enormous replica of the moon sits inside the Water Fire Arts Center, 475 Valley St., Providence. The exhibit runs through July 28.
 

[CREDIT: Mary Carlos]
[CREDIT: Mary Carlos]
Rob Borkowski
Author: Rob Borkowski

Rob has worked as reporter and editor for several publications, including The Kent County Daily Times and Coventry Courier, before working for Gatehouse in MA then moving home with Patch Media. Now he's publisher and editor of WarwickPost.com. Contact him at [email protected] with tips, press releases, advertising inquiries, and concerns.

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