International Observe the Moon Night

Notes to the public :  when is the last time you looked at the moon through a telescope?  Here’s your chance to experience the wonder of staring at craters, mountains and maria* on the surface of earth’s sole natural satellite.

International Observe the Moon Night is a real thing, sponsored by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission and the Solar System Exploration Division at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, with many contributors.

Join MIRA Astronomy Club members as we set up our telescopes on the crushed rock pad near the entrance to the park trails for this special “star party”.  This is a free event.  No Registration necessary.  Guests should park on the western half of the parking lot, so as not to interfere with the large private event taking place in the on-site event building.

The highlight of this event will be an eleven-day-old waxing gibbous moon, about 83% illuminated.  A few planets may be visbile too, including Venus and Saturn.

Prior to attending this event, please review our guielines on public star party etiquette .

• “maria” (“seas” in Latin) are actually dry basaltic plains believed to be created by flowing lava

  Cloud cover cancels this event.

Notes to MIRA Astronomy Club members:   Unload your equipment at the curb, then park your car in the site parking lot.  From the curb to the set-up pad is less than 100 yards.  Plan to arrive by 6:30pm for set-up by 7:30pm.  The park entrance gate will remain open until at least 11:00pm, as there will be a large private event taking place in the event center at the park.