The fate of American flags plugged in the Moon

The flags inserted by the American astronauts on the surface of the Moon in the Apollo program are increasingly fading and decaying.

The photo of astronaut Buzz Aldrin proudly standing next to the American flag on the Moon on July 20, 1969 in the Apollo 11 program told the world that "America was here" , according to Business Insider. However, all 6 American flags on the Moon from 1969 to 1972 are showing signs of deterioration.

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin stood beside a flag on the Moon.(Photo: NASA).

In 2012, images taken by the spacecraft flying around the Moon orbit (LRO) of the US Aerospace Agency (NASA) revealed at least five of the six flags still stood. But scientists say that the sun's glare over decades has faded the symbols on the flag and turned it white.

Every American flag on the Moon is made of artificial silk, manufactured by Annin Flagmakers, at a cost of about US $ 5.5. On the surface of the Earth, similar flags will fade in the sun. The reason is that ultraviolet (UV) rays are not completely absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere, so it is possible to break down the fabric's fibers and colors.

The moon has no atmosphere to absorb sunlight. This means that astronaut flags on the Moon will be exposed to more solar radiation on Earth.

"For 40 years, the flags have to endure the harsh environment of the Moon, continuously for 14 days burning heat with a temperature of 100 ° C and 14 days cold with temperatures of -150 ° C. flags are showing signs of decay, " Paul Spudis, Moon research scientist, wrote in Smithsonian Air & Space in July 2011.