Galactic Gems in Halle's Prehistoric Gallery
Situated in the heart of Halle, Saxony-Anhalt, the Museum of Prehistory has drawn the eyes of both space aficionados and history fanatics, thanks to two celestial orbs that haven't lost their enchantment throughout the centuries. Sharing the limelight with astronaut Matthias Maurer, these ancient 3600-year-old relics - one original and the other blasted into the unknown - have been making headlines in local news.
53-year-old Maurer, the 600th person to traverse the cosmos, was the fortunate chosen one to bring along the space-proven miniature orb during his stint on the International Space Station (ISS) from November 2021 to May 2022. With a weight of approximately 100 grams, this humble artifact outlived its human associate, journeying far beyond Earth even before his launch.
It was only upon his visit to Halle that Maurer glimpsed the older cosmic disc for the first time. Prior to his rendezvous, he had only learned about its ethereal elegance from reports and a gift from Harald Meller, an archaelogist, in the form of a book.
The astronaut gushes, "People 3600 years ago were just as starstruck as I am." Our boundless curiosity for the celestial spheres has been the driving force behind his decision to secure a scale-down, lightweight replica of the celestial disc. With inspiration derived from this ancient symbol, the disc lends its name as a commemoration to the astronaut's space mission.
As he gazed upon the original, made of bronze and encrusted with pure gold, he was reminded of the philosophical dilemmas behind the origins of the universe that human beings have been pondering since time immemorial. How did it all begin? What governs it? Are there other planets out there waiting to be discovered?
The epoxy resin recreation of this cosmic marvel weighs little but holds heavy significance. Along with the original, it is now on exhibition in Halle. It is planned that when Europe attempts to send its first human to the moon - with an expected launch date around 2030 - Matthias Maurer will reclaim his miniature artifact and introduce it to the cosmos once more.
In a heartening turn of events, Minister-President Reiner Haseloff (69, CDU) seized the opportunity to acquire the space-hardened duplicate. During a meeting with the astronaut, he shared his own dream of becoming an astronaut, fueled by the passion he developed for the first moon landing.
These celestial gems have captivated not just history buffs and space enthusiasts, but also the Halle community. Their allure resides not only in their age but also in the enchanting journey they've been on, circulating between space and Earth.
Until May 5, 2024, you can catch a glimpse of Matthias Maurer's interstellar companion at the Museum of Prehistory in Halle. It remains to be seen when and where it will touch down again, allowing humans to marvel at the triumphs of its interstellar pilgrimage.
- In the Museum of Prehistory of Saxony-Anhalt's Halle, the enchanting celestial gems have caught the attention of stargazers and history buffs alike. The exhibit includes Matthias Maurer's cosmic muse, which even outlived its human companion during their time in space.
- Matthias Maurer, the 600th person to traverse the cosmos, reveled in his encounter with the ancient celestial disc during his visit to Halle. As a nod to this cosmic souvenir, he incorporated its design in his mission's commemorative emblem.
- In a fortunate turn of events, Matthias Maurer was granted the opportunity to bring the celestial disc on board the ISS while aboard for nearly six months. This cosmic companion far exceeded its human counterpart in its interstellar journey, having left Earth well before the astronaut's launch.
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