Abstract Art and science so often inspire each other because they share a common denominator; the quest to understand and express deeper meaning in the universe. Art and science explore the same space, attempting to explain, comprehend, and provide perspective to the universe encountered. Giant Step is an interdisciplinary site-specific artwork celebrating Neil Armstrong's first step on the moon. It asks the question: Can the tools of science become the tools of art? On July 21, 2019, using different technology I tested the concept at two locations: The Cote d'Azur Observatory's Lunar Laser-Ranging Station, high above the French Riviera on the Plateau de Calern, and the Dwingeloo Radio Observatory in The Netherlands. At 02:56:15 UTC, precisely the time of Armstrong's first step on the Moon, a powerful green laser beam, targeted the Moon from the Cote d'Azur Observatory's Lunar Laser-Ranging Station, with Armstrong's acclaimed words: “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” pulsed in Morse code. This was the first time in the 35-year history of this observatory that a laser beam had been used to carry a message to the Apollo 11 retroreflector. At the same time, from the Dwingeloo Radio Observatory, using different astronomical tools an Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) Moonbounce, transmitted and reflected additional information about Neil Armstrong to the lunar surface. The inspiration for this project first emerged while doing research for Giant Step in 2015. Pouring through the Apollo Archives at NASA HQ, I made an unexpected discovery; a 2-D Electrocardiogram (EKG) of Neil Armstrong's heartbeat captured as he took his first step on the lunar surface. Looking something like a musical score, the question arose, was there music in that EKG? Connecting with Dr. Ryan Compton, whose specialty is the sonification of data, (currently employed by Google), I engaged him to create a 2-min single tone from Armstrong's 2-D EKG. This 120-s tone was then given to Roberto Miranda, Los Angeles jazz double-bassist and UCLA professor, who recorded two improvised tracks over Compton's single EKG tone along with Neil Armstrong's acclaimed words: “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” In 2019, Dr. Compton was able to create a heartbeat sound from Armstrong's EKG, which offered a second opportunity to meld art and science. Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 Moon landing, a historic first for America and the world, it was Armstrong's words as he stepped onto the lunar surface that like art, connected all humankind.
Highlights Site-Specific Interdisciplinary Artwork Celebrating the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary. Apollo 11 retroreflector. Lunar surface Laser-Ranging. Encoded laser beam carrying Armstrong's message to the Apollo 11 retroreflector. Neil Armstrong's sonified EKG heartbeat as he took his first step on the lunar surface.
Giant Step: The heartbeat and words of Neil Armstrong returned to the moon
Acta Astronautica ; 186 ; 544-548
2021-05-28
5 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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