Spaceflight!

Today we toured two different observatories to see more telescopes.  The first was the Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland.  We came to see three beautiful telescopes - two "antiques" and one modern Cassegrain.  After seeing and photographing the telescopes which were in separate observatories outdoors, I wandered into the Science Center and was stunned to find this Mercury capsule.  I have seen several of these original capsules in other museums around the country, but I have NEVER seen one that you can climb into.  And I was in shock when I got inside.  I didn't feel claustrophobic while in there, but when I tried to imagine one of the Mercury astronauts, all suited up, and locked in with the door bolted closed, sitting on top of a rocket, it freaked me out!  These capsules are SMALL!  I cannot begin to imagine being blasted into space in such a confining place. You certainly had to have "the right stuff" in order to do that!  I mean I was impressed with astronauts in general, but this brought my appreciation to a whole new level.  There is a photo as well of the panel in the capsule - this was clearly not a complete capsule, but rather some sort of training device.