Flag Waving Physics at Apollo 11 Moon Landing

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the physics of the flag waving during the Apollo 11 moon landing, addressing the conditions on the moon and the design of the flagpole. It explores various perspectives on the phenomenon of the flag's movement in a vacuum environment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that the flag waved due to the design of the flagpole, which included a horizontal rod to keep it extended, allowing it to move when initially planted.
  • Others reference the lack of wind on the moon, suggesting that the flag would not wave under normal circumstances.
  • A participant mentions that the flag fell over during the ascent of the lunar module, implying that it would not have waved afterward.
  • There are references to external sources, including a YouTube video and Wikipedia, to support various claims about the flag and the moon landing.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the validity of claims made by shows like Mythbusters regarding the moon landing.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether the flag waved due to its design or if it would remain still in the absence of wind. The discussion includes both supportive and skeptical perspectives regarding the moon landing and related conspiracy theories, indicating a lack of consensus.

Contextual Notes

Some claims rely on interpretations of anecdotal evidence and external sources, which may not fully address the underlying physics or assumptions about the conditions on the moon.

Hyperspace2
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whats the physics for flag waving at moon at apollo11?
 
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NASA scientists are actually quite a bright bunch of people and knew that there would be no wind on the moon (hence no flag waving) so they build the flag pole with pole running through the top of the flag to hold it up. As the astronauts moved the flag pole into position the flag would wave about and without any wind resistance continued to do so for some time.

Number 5 on the environment section of the wikipedia page on the moon landing conspiracy provides the answer along with every other debunk.
 
ok thanks
 
Does this help?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMBCfuKs9i8
 
Mythbusters never went to the moon.
 
Pengwuino said:
Mythbusters never went to the moon.

That's a conspiracy theory.
 
ryan_m_b said:
That's a conspiracy theory.

Going off topic a little, the set they built when they tested for lighting and shadows was ^%$*@## brilliant, would love to of been a kid when they done that. Also Kari byron is super hot.
 

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