'Flags on the Moon' July 21 at Lewes Public Library

Local author and rocket scientist Jack Clemons will present “Flags on the Moon," an informative, entertaining, and sometimes surprising look at the history behind each of the six American flags placed on the Moon by the Apollo astronauts. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m., Monday, July 21, at the Lewes Public Library, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes.

July 20, 2014 marks the 45th anniversary of the moment when Apollo 11 astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped out onto the lunar surface and became the first American astronaut, and the first human being, to set foot on another world. Apollo 11 was the first of six Apollo spacecraft to land on the Moon. A total of 12 men walked and, beginning with Apollo 15, also rode on her surface. And beyond the exploration and the sightseeing, and the scientific experiments they carried out, each Apollo crew also planted an American flag at their landing site. The flags are still there, perpetual monuments to the imagination and resourcefulness and determination of the human spirit. Each of those flags has a story to tell.

Clemons' talk will include film clips, photographs, illustrations and anecdotes, as well as insights drawn from his experiences working on NASA’s Apollo Moon Program.

Clemons has bachelor’s and master's degrees in aerospace engineering, making him an actual rocket scientist. He was an industry engineer and team leader on NASA's Apollo and Space Shuttle Programs in Houston, Texas, and later led a team that designed air traffic control systems for the United States and the United Kingdom.

Clemons is a published author. His nonfiction and short stories have appeared in numerous magazines, books and anthologies. He also appeared in the "Command Module" segment of "Moon Machines," the Discovery Science Channel's award winning six-part documentary about the Apollo Program. He writes a biweekly space and science blog for Amazing Stories Online Magazine.