The Flags Of Apollo

Are the American Flags Apollo astronauts planted on the Moon still standing?  That question has intrigued people for decades.  Most scientists who've addressed the quesstion have answered in the negative, saying the harsh lunar environment would have destroyed the flags long ago.

Well, they seem to be wrong.

NASA has used the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to photograph all six of the Apollo landing sites from various angles and in various lighting conditions, and they've captured some remarkable details-- right down to the tracks made by the lunar rovers and by the astronauts' boots.  Those photos also seem to show shadows cast by the flags at every site except that of Apollo 11.  Buzz Aldrin reported that flag was knocked down when the Eagle lifted off from the lunar surface, and it seems he was right.