Summary
NASA will host a free International Observe the Moon Night event on Sept. 19 at its Goddard Space Flight Center Visitor Center in Maryland. People worldwide can also participate through local observations, virtual events and other activities.
NASA will hold its annual International Observe the Moon Night on Saturday, Sept. 19, with a free public event at the Goddard Space Flight Center Visitor Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The celebration will combine lunar observing, hands-on activities and talks about NASA’s Moon missions and research.
The event follows NASA’s Artemis II mission, during which four humans circled the Moon in April—the first crewed lunar flight in more than 50 years, according to NASA. The agency says this year’s programme will give visitors a closer look at the work behind that mission and at the research supporting future exploration.
What visitors can do at Goddard
The Goddard event will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. EDT. Visitors can take part in interactive activities, make Moon-themed artwork and crafts, and use a photo kiosk. Telescopes will be available outside, weather permitting, for viewing the Moon and other astronomical objects.
Inside the Visitor Center, a real Apollo 14 Moon rock will be on display. The programme will also feature two talks. At 6:30 p.m., planetary scientist Amanda Nahm of NASA Headquarters will discuss lunar science and the experience of Artemis II. At 7:30 p.m., Ernie Wright, a scientific visualizer at NASA Goddard, will explain how researchers use real data to create videos and visualisations of the Moon.
The event is free and family-friendly. Registration is not required, although NASA says advance registration will help the Visitor Center plan. The event will take place rain or shine, and free parking will be available at the site.
A worldwide lunar-observing event
International Observe the Moon Night has been held annually since 2010. It brings participants together to learn about the Moon through observations, practical activities, artwork, music and other forms of participation.
People who cannot attend the Maryland event can join from elsewhere by observing the Moon with friends or family, attending a virtual event or finding an activity in their area. NASA is accepting participation through its International Observe the Moon Night programme.
The celebration is sponsored by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission and the Solar System Exploration Division at Goddard, with support from other partners. NASA describes it as an opportunity to connect public skywatching with the agency’s ongoing lunar research and preparations for future deep-space missions.