Morehead Archives - Page 3 of 5 - Michael G. Neece, Author

Apollo Astronaut Alan Bean has died

Al Bean with Tony Jenzano at Morehead Planetarium, 1970Feb01, courtesy of Carol Jenzano, copyright 2018

Chapel Hill, NC May 26, 2018 by Michael G. Neece The fourth man to walk on the surface of the moon, Alan Bean, took ill on May 11 and today has died. It was widely misreported that he died yesterday, and as much as this writer wishes this were a continuation of misreporting, it sadlyContinue reading “Apollo Astronaut Alan Bean has died”

Catch the replay and tell your friends! Livestream from Chapel Hill: Why this Story Matters

Michael G. Neece broadcasted live from his home in Chapel Hill tonight, telling why North Carolina Skies: Tales of Astronauts in Chapel Hill matters in today’s world, took questions, and asked for your help in making the film happen. Catch the replay here: https://michaelgneece.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/whyastronautsotfpimportant.mp4 Questions were asked (see answers below). Alyssa asked how the ApolloContinue reading “Catch the replay and tell your friends! Livestream from Chapel Hill: Why this Story Matters”

Speaking tonight at UNCW (Livestream replay available)

At 7:15 PM (ET) in tonight’s address to the Cape Fear Astronomical Society on the campus of UNCW, I will share the origins of the astronaut training program at Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill plus insider stories of astronaut visits. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/7nGRa85USKk (Parking lots C and D should allow for anytime parking on weekends andContinue reading “Speaking tonight at UNCW (Livestream replay available)”

Unsung Heroes get to Sing out

Sheet Film 24023: Morehead Planetarium: Tony Jenzano, Major Gordon Cooper, Commander Alan Shepherd, Dr. Jocelyn Gill, Dr. Franklin Roach, William Huch, 6 April 1963: Scan 1, in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Photographic Laboratory Collection #P0031, North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

While writing a book about astronaut heroes coming to Chapel Hill to train at Morehead Planetarium, it would be easy to overlook contributions of some hidden heroes, like Dr. Jocelyn Gill (fourth figure from the left in the photo above, between Gordon Cooper and Alan Shepard). With her experience at MIT and her PhD fromContinue reading “Unsung Heroes get to Sing out”

Astronauts Came to Morehead for 15 Years

Photograph of Col. Cage, Scott Carpenter (in a Link trainer), Wally Schirra, and Morehead astronaut trainer James Batten. Black and White 8x10 Photographic Print 50075_0003 in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Photographic Laboratory Collection #P0031, North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

After NASA astronaut training had been going on for a handful of years at Morehead Planetarium in Chapel Hill, the Manned Spacecraft Center became the hub of activity for astronauts, thus they spent far less time in Langley, VA and much more time in Houston, TX. Morehead was more remote for the astronauts from thenContinue reading “Astronauts Came to Morehead for 15 Years”