Seminar on 39th Anniversary of the First Landing on the Moon

A Seminar on the 39th Anniversary of first Landing on Moon, organized by Bangladesh Astronomical Society was held on 20 July, 2008 in the Auditorium of 'Foundation for Research on Educational Planning and Development' (FREPD), Dhaka at 5 pm. On July 20, 1969, US Astronaut Neil Armstrong, the Commander of NASA's Apollo-11 Lunar Mission, had stepped down on the surface of Moon as the first man of the world at 2.17 am Bangladesh Time and made a history for the mankind by landing on a celestial object beyond our Earth. He was followed by Astronaut Edwin Buzz Aldrin, the Pilot of Lunar Module, Eagle. They stayed on the Moon surface for around 2 hours 40 minutes and collected Moon Rocks and Dust weighted about 22 Kilograms. In this Seminar Mr. F. R. Sarker, General Secretary of Bangladesh Astronomical Society and the First Zero Gravity Flyer of Bangladesh demonstrated a Saturn-V Rocket Model with audio and separation system similar to the real Saturn-V Rocket which was used to launch Apollo Mission. Students were very much amazed and obtained a clear concept about a Saturn-V Rocket through this demonstration. Among others who delivered their lectures in this meeting were Dr. A. R. Khan, President of Bangladesh Astronomical Society and former Professor of Applied Physics Department of Dhaka University, Dr. A.K.M. Aminul Haque, Vice-President of the Society and former Vice-Canceller of Bangladesh Agriculture University, Dr. K.M. Sirajul Islam, Vice President of the Society and former Director of National Science Museum, Dr. Mobarak Ali Akand, Treasurer of the Society and former Chairman of Comilla Education Board.

Commemorating the 39th Anniversary of Apollo-11 Mission speakers discussed at length the out come of this historic event and opined that within a short time, human beings will start building their houses on the surface of the Moon to permanent settlement over there. At the end of the Meeting a Power Point Presentation on Apollo-11 Mission including its Video was made by Mr. F. R. Sarker, followed by Answers to the questions by the participants. It may be mentioned here that Astronomers of Apollo-11 Mission Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin and Michael Collins with their wives came on a visit to Dhaka on 27 October, 1969 during their Good Will Tour around the World.