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John Glenn Remembered By Utah Astronomy Professor

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John Glenn was the first American to orbit the earth and was one of the stars of space exploration. Years later he served as a U.S. senator, but he still spoke at events regularly about physics and astronomy.

 

University of Utah Associate Professor Zheng Zheng saw Glenn speak when he was a doctoral student. He laughs as he tells the story of how he wasn’t sure who he was at first.

 

“I was just wondering how come a senator would have anything to do with our daily astronomy discussions,” Zheng said.

 

After Zheng met Glenn, he was shocked to learn he had met one of the first American astronauts. Zheng said Glenn became a hero for many generations.

 

“John Glenn has inspired the curiosity of many generations to explore the space and to study the universe," Zheng said. "So I believe that many people chose science and engineering as their career do to this inspiration.”

 

Glenn will be celebrated in a memorial service on Saturday at Ohio State University.