Space field note
Steps frozen in time
Footprints That Never Fade
The footprints astronauts left on the Moon more than fifty years ago are still pressed into the dust today, just as crisp as the moment they were made.
Let's look closer
Why haven't wind or rain worn them away like footprints do on Earth?
he Moon has no air at all, which means there is no wind to blow the dust around and no rain to wash it smooth again. Without any weather to disturb it, the fine gray moon dust simply holds the shape of every boot print pressed into it. Scientists think those footprints could last for millions of years, unless a stray speck of space rock happens to land right on top of them.
Look for this
Explorer clue
Watch a video of astronauts walking on the Moon and look closely at how sharp and clear their footprints stay in the dust around them.
Your turn to wonder
Curiosity question
What is something you made that you would love to stay exactly the same forever?
Keep wandering
