Moon Rocks Return to Alaska

Artifacts disappeared for many years

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By Lauren Maxwell
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Story Created: Dec 6, 2012 at 6:57 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Dec 6, 2012 at 7:19 PM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - Precious artifacts from the moon are back in Alaska hands tonight. They are moon rocks that went missing from a state museum more than 40 years ago.

The tiny rocks were plucked from the moon’s surface during the Apollo 11 Mission when astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took those historic first steps on the moon.

The rocks were presented as a gift from President Nixon to then Alaska Governor Keith Miller in 1969. But they disappeared a few years later following a fire at the State Museum in Anchorage where they were on display.

Recently, the rocks were returned from a man who had taken them out of state, ending a legal battle that had ensued over who owned the rocks. Alaska Attorney General Michael Geraghty said the rocks may inspire a whole new generation of young people in Alaska.

“Hopefully they can circulate again to schools and school districts around the state, and hopefully inspire young kids as they did in 1973 and 1974 to shoot for the moon,” said Geraghty.

The moon rocks will be on display at the State Museum in Juneau starting tomorrow through the end of the month.

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