Moon astronauts physics experiment

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on whether the first astronauts on the moon conducted a physics experiment similar to dropping a penny and a feather simultaneously. While the Apollo 15 mission featured an astronaut dropping a feather and a hammer, earlier missions included more playful acts, such as Alan Shepard hitting a golf ball during Apollo 14. Shepard's golf stunt was a surprise to NASA, as he had secretly modified equipment to execute the experiment. The conversation highlights the difference between serious scientific experiments and publicity stunts during lunar missions. Overall, the focus remains on the nature of experiments conducted by astronauts on the moon.
toolate
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Does anyone know if the first astronauts on the moon did an experiment like dropping a penny and a feather simultaneously? I just read that one pair of them hit a golf ball and threw a pole like a javelin, but that wouldn't have been my first choice of experiment.
 
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Welcome to PF.

Those weren't real experiments, they were publicity stunts at best, but yes, on Apollo 15, an astronaut dropped a feather and a hammer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C5_dOEyAfk
 
toolate said:
Does anyone know if the first astronauts on the moon did an experiment like dropping a penny and a feather simultaneously? I just read that one pair of them hit a golf ball and threw a pole like a javelin, but that wouldn't have been my first choice of experiment.

The golf ball incident is an interesting story. It was done by Alan Shepard during Apollo 14, and no one at NASA knew what he was planning. He secretly altered a six iron club head so that it could be attached to a lunar sample scoop handle and then smuggled it and the golf ball onboard in his spacesuit. When he pulled out his "club" and ball, everyone at ground control was completely taken off guard.
 
Janus said:
...and no one at NASA knew what he was planning.
Now that I didn't know. Very cool.
 

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