(Newser)
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Decades later, America's mark on the moon remains: All but one of the flags left by the Apollo missions are still flying. Scientists reviewed photos taken by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, sent to study the moon in 2009. The images show shadows revolving throughout the day around the flags' believed locations, the BBC reports. "I was a bit surprised that the flags survived the harsh ultraviolet light and temperatures of the lunar surface, but they did," says one of the scientists. The only fallen flag is from Apollo 11, just as Buzz Aldrin has said: Engine exhaust knocked it over when the vehicle took off.
