'Fly us to the Moon' features a number of special objects from VU Amsterdam's Special Collections that demonstrate our age-old fascination with the moon. The exhibition is on view in the University Library's heritage showcase until May 29.
From a rare celestial globe by famous 17th century mapmaker Willem Blaeu to a modern artwork about the gunpowder-like smell of moon created by Hagen Betzwieser and Sue Cork.
In 2026, the moon - our nearest celestial body - is in the spotlight.
Both China and the United States are sending rockets into space this year in preparation for the first manned lunar landing since 1972. On the moon, they plan to build a permanent research station to study the formation of the Earth, the solar system and lunar resources. Man's curiosity about the moon is perhaps as old as man himself: from the first observations of the night sky with the naked eye to the first telescopes in the 17th century to modern space technologies today.
Want to know more about the objects?
Then listen to our Fly us to the Moon podcast where we talk to experts and each other in 5 episodes. (in Dutch)
Of course, the exhibition can also be viewed online again.
The exhibition will be on display in the University Library's heritage showcase until 29 May 2026, so come and take a look!