Join NASA in Celebrating International Observe the Moon Night!

In April, the world witnessed a historic moment as four astronauts orbited the Moon for the first time in over half a century with NASA’s Artemis II mission. On Saturday, September 19, the public is invited to look skyward once more, with a series of NASA events taking place nationwide, including the International Observe the Moon Night celebration at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center Visitor Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

Celebrating the Moon Together

This year, NASA aims to unite individuals across the globe in celebrating International Observe the Moon Night on September 19. This annual event encourages participants to deepen their understanding of the Moon and explore its significance as Earth’s closest celestial companion. Since its inception in 2010, the programme has seen global participation through lunar observations, interactive activities, artistic expressions, musical contributions, and more.

The celebration at NASA Goddard will place a particular emphasis on the agency’s ongoing lunar exploration efforts, including the momentous Artemis II mission. Guests will have the opportunity to gain insights into the extensive preparations that facilitated the success of Artemis II’s journey around the Moon, as well as discover how scientists and engineers at Goddard are enhancing our understanding of the Moon, the solar system, and beyond.

A Night of Discovery and Engagement

The event is scheduled to run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. EDT. Attendees at NASA Goddard can engage in a variety of interactive activities, create crafts, and take selfies at a designated photo kiosk. Weather permitting, telescopes will be positioned outside, allowing participants to observe the Moon and other astronomical phenomena up close. Inside the Visitor Center, a rare Apollo 14 Moon rock will be on display, providing a tangible connection to lunar exploration.

Dr. Amanda Nahm, a planetary scientist at NASA Headquarters, will delve into the science of the Moon and the excitement surrounding Artemis II at 6:30 p.m. Following her presentation, at 7:30 p.m., Ernie Wright, a scientific visualizer at NASA Goddard, will provide a more technical perspective on how scientists utilise real data to create engaging videos and visualisations of lunar features.

Engaging with Groundbreaking Research

The event will also serve as an informative platform for attendees to learn about the innovative research being conducted at NASA Goddard. Scientists are dedicated to uncovering the Moon’s secrets through missions such as the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) while also exploring our solar system and the vast universe beyond.

International Observe the Moon Night at Goddard is a family-friendly event that is free of charge. While registration is not mandatory, those who register in advance can assist the Visitor Center team in planning accordingly. The event is set to proceed regardless of weather conditions, and complimentary parking will be available on-site.

Participate from Anywhere

For those unable to travel to Greenbelt, there are numerous ways to engage with International Observe the Moon Night globally. Individuals are encouraged to join lunar observers around the world by observing the Moon with friends and family, participating in virtual events, or locating local celebrations. More information and registration details can be found at go.nasa.gov/ObserveTheMoon.

This celebration is sponsored by NASA’s LRO mission and the Solar System Exploration Division of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, with support from various partners. It serves as an opportunity for people to pause and appreciate our future destinations as NASA gears up for deep space missions to the Moon and beyond.

Learn More About NASA’s Initiatives

To gain further insights into NASA’s Artemis programme, please visit: https://www.nasa.gov/artemis.

For additional information on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/lro.