Since 1960 the scientists were wondering, are the American flags planted by the astronauts still standing? Lunar scientists say the verdict finally comes from the latest photos of the moon taken by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC). In fact, most of them still stand.

Four decades after the last astronauts landed on the moon and planted an American flag in lunar soil, scientists wondered, does that star spangled banner yet wave? Finally new images from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) have given proof in the night, that the American moon flags are still there.

All but one of the 6 flags left by American astronauts remain standing, according to an analysis of the shadows they cast on the surface of the moon.

US flags are still standing on the moon / NASA Breaking News

During each of the six American moon landings, astronauts left American flags behind as symbols of their nation’s scientific and engineering achievement. The first was the monumental in 1969, Apollo 11 landing — in which Neil Armstrong declared on live television his famous phrase : ‘ one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. ‘

Researchers have examined images of the Apollo landing sites before for signs of the American moon flags, and seen hints of what might be shadows cast by the flags.

However, this was not considered strong evidence that the described flags were still standing. Now, scientists have examined photos taken of the same spots at various points in the day, and observed shadows circling the point where the flag is thought to be.

Each of the six manned Apollo missions that landed on the moon planted an American flag in the lunar dirt.

LROC principal investigator Professor Mark Robinson wrote : ‘ Personally I was a bit surprised that the flags survived the harsh ultraviolet light and temperatures of the lunar surface, but they did. What they look like is another question. ‘

New NASA photos reveal American flags are still standing on the moon after forty years

Scientists had previously examined photos of the Apollo landing sites for the flags, and had seen what looked like shadows cast by them on the lunar surface. But this was not considered conclusive.

After that the researchers used new, detailed images from NASA’s lunar camera to determine that the American flags were casting shadows that circled them as the moon moved in its normal orbit – proving that they were still standing on their poles.

The conditions on the American flag’s surface of the moon are scratchy. Temperatures swing between 250 and -280 degrees Fahrenheit on the other planet.

In recent years, photos from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter have also shown other unprecedented details of the Apollo landing sites, such as views of the lunar landers, rovers, scientific instruments left behind on the surface, and even the astronauts’ boot prints. These details are visible in photos snapped by the probe while it was skimming just 15 miles above the moon’s surface.

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