NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Michelle McCartney with Cosmosphere notes that there will be a lot of witnesses to history at the First and Last Steps event Friday night on the Kansas State Fairgrounds.
"We've got two moon walkers here tonight," McCartney said. "We've got Harrison Schmitt and we have Charlie Duke. We're very excited to have those dignitaries here along with a lot of Mission Control crew and other astronauts, as well."
The full list of invited dignitaries included Jeff Ashby, Jerry Bostick, Charlie Duke, Gerry Griffin, Fred Haise, Steven Hawley, Gene Kranz (unable to attend), Jack Lousma (unable to attend), Harrison Schmitt and
Milt Windler. There will be a public opportunity to take a look at the sky outside the event tonight, as well.
"Tonight, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., we have a public telescope viewing," McCartney said. "You will meet at the east side of the Meadowlark Building at the Fairgrounds. Hopefully, with a clear sky, you'll have a great view of planets and bright stars in the southern sky. "
The viewing is put on by the Cosmosphere Astronomy Club. Also, there is a special event involving one of the most famous astronauts not to walk on the moon, Fred Haise. That event is taking place on Saturday.
"Haise will be here doing his book signing for his new autobiography, Never Panic Early," McCartney said. "That's Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Cosmosphere. The book signing will be located in the Hall of Space Museum by the Apollo 13 command module, Odyssey."
For a full schedule of the weekend's events, go to cosmo.org.