Hi,
After visiting the hanging balcony we walk couple of hundred meters along a short part of Israel National Trail along the edge of Maktesh Ramon to Maktesh Ramon visitor center.
The visitor center mainly tells the story of Maktesh Ramon (the largest of its kind), but also about the first Israeli astronaut – Ilan Ramon zl (yep, his family name is Ramon, just as the name of the Maktesh). Ilan lost his life when the Columbia space shuttle had broken apart upon returning to the atmosphere on the end of its mission on February first 2003, after 16 days in space.
The center holds 4 halls: two halls tells the story of Ilan Ramon, one hall describes the creation of the cater and the last hall present explanation on the term light pollution
We did not plan on getting as you need to order a place in advance (which we did not), but lucky as we managed to get in. We even found a babysitter for Xuxa, our dog – the Nature and Park Authority information point workers, which were happy to pet her 🙂
It was only by coincidence we visit the place when the second Israeli is in space – Eytan Stibbe. Like Ilan Ramon he was also an Israeli pilot in the Maktesh Ramon visitor center, unlike Ilan – he visit the space as a tourist after paying 50 million dollars (!). Someone wrote he used the tour to bleach his name – he earned his money as a weapon trade.
Take care
Gad
The visitor center building on the edge of the cater
Looking west the hanging balcony
Maktesh Ramon model
The entrance door to the visitor center
And the way in, craved in the hard lime rock
First hall about Ilan Ramon – with Columbia Space Shuttle model, an IAF pilot suit and a space suit.
Second part of the story of Ilan Ramon.
The last part of the story of Ilan Ramon and his son Captain Assaf Ramon zl, a pilot in IAF who lost his life in training accident as his aircraft crushed in Mount Hebron.
And amazing view of the Maktesh behind the curtains.
One of the 3 nuts that hold down Columbia space shuttle, and were broke when it was launched (as designed to).
A 3D model which mechanically changes it shape and shows the creation of the Maktesh – a very good one indeed.
The last hall telling about light pollution, as Maktesh Ramon is an International Star Light reserve.
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