The Portland International Jetport in Maine is now home to a new exhibit titled “Fly Me to the Moon,” featuring the second-largest piece of the moon on Earth. The piece, on loan from the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum, is joined by a piece of Mars. This exhibit, which opened to the public on March 26, is part of the airport’s effort to celebrate unique aspects of Maine. Darryl Pitt, who sourced all the meteorites for the exhibit, expressed his excitement about bringing the treasures of the MMGM to the Jetport. The exhibit is seen as a great addition for travelers visiting Maine ahead of the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8, which Maine is one of the states that will experience totality during.
Bethel, located in western Maine, is home to the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum which has more pieces of the moon than all natural history museums in the world combined. This highlights the significance of the state of Maine in terms of extraterrestrial material. The centerpiece of the exhibit, a meteorite known as “The Scream,” is particularly eye-catching and is expected to attract travelers to come closer and explore the unique pieces of the moon and Mars on display at the airport. These pieces are quite rare, with only about 3,000 pounds of moon samples known to exist on Earth and a limited amount of Mars samples. The exhibit will be available for viewing at the Jetport for the next five years, giving travelers a unique opportunity to witness these remarkable pieces up close.
The Maine Mineral & Gem Museum’s collaboration with the Portland International Jetport has brought a new level of attraction to travelers passing through the airport. This partnership has allowed for the creation of an exhibit that showcases some of the rarest pieces of the moon and Mars on Earth, adding an element of wonder and fascination to the travel experience. The exhibit, “Fly Me to the Moon,” curated by Darryl Pitt, is described as one of the coolest eclipse add-ons for anyone traveling to Maine ahead of the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8. This exhibit gives travelers a glimpse into the extraterrestrial substances that have been discovered and brought back to Earth through various missions, highlighting the unique beauty and significance of these pieces.
Maine’s connection to extraterrestrial materials, specifically pieces of the moon and Mars, is a significant aspect of the state’s identity. The exhibit at the Portland International Airport serves as a reminder of the state’s rich history and unique offerings for travelers passing through. Darryl Pitt’s involvement in curating the exhibit adds a special touch, as his passion for bringing these treasures to the public is evident. The pieces on display, including “The Scream” meteorite, are meant to captivate and draw in travelers, inviting them to explore and appreciate the beauty and rarity of these samples. With the exhibit set to remain at the airport for the next five years, visitors passing through will have the opportunity to experience this unique display for an extended period.
Overall, the addition of the “Fly Me to the Moon” exhibit at the Portland International Jetport in Maine brings a new level of excitement and wonder to travelers passing through the airport. The opportunity to view rare pieces of the moon and Mars up close is a unique experience that adds to the overall travel experience for visitors. The significance of the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum’s contributions to the exhibit showcases the state’s connection to extraterrestrial materials and highlights the state’s identity as a hub for unique and fascinating treasures. With the exhibit set to be on display for the next five years, travelers passing through the airport will have the chance to explore and appreciate these remarkable pieces in a one-of-a-kind setting, further enhancing their travel experience.
