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Apollo 17 astronaut Eugene Cernan's hand prints are set in wet concrete at Adler Planetarium Nov. 13 in Chicago. Cernan's prints will be displayed in an upcoming exhibit to celebrate 40th anniversary of the Apollo 17 mission. (AP Photo)

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Purdue's Cernan last to walk on moon 40 years ago

Updated: Tuesday, 11 Dec 2012, 10:28 AM EST
Published : Tuesday, 11 Dec 2012, 10:28 AM EST

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - The last moonwalk occurred 40 years ago, performed by Purdue University grad and Apollo 17 commander Gene Cernan.

Purdue says Cernan holds the distinction of the most recent person to walk on the moon because he was the last person to re-enter the lunar lander 40 years ago Tuesday. That concluded the last of three moonwalks with crewmate Harrison Schmitt over three days spent on the lunar surface. The mission collected about 250 pounds of soil samples and moon rocks and took scientific measurements.

Cernan graduated from Purdue in 1956 with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. He was one of 14 astronauts selected by NASA in 1963 and made three space flights.

Purdue says the Chicago native donated his personal papers to the university's flight archives in 2009.

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