Celebrate International Observe the Moon Night with NASA

On Saturday, September 19th, NASA will host its annual International Observe the Moon Night celebration at Goddard Space Flight Center Visitor Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. This event, which has been taking place since 2010, brings people together to learn about the Moon and celebrate our connection to our closest celestial neighbor.

This year, the focus of the celebration is on NASA's Artemis II mission, the first crewed mission to the Moon in over 50 years. Visitors can learn about the preparation and success of this historic journey, as well as the work of Goddard scientists and engineers who are advancing our understanding of the Moon and beyond.

Throughout the event, visitors can participate in hands-on activities, create artwork, and capture selfies at a photo kiosk. Telescopes will be set up outside (weather permitting) for close-up views of the Moon and other astronomical objects. Inside the Visitor Center, guests can see a real Apollo 14 Moon rock on display.

Astronauts from NASA Headquarters will present talks at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., providing both a broader overview of lunar science and a technical look at how data is used to create visualizations of the Moon. The event is free and open to the public, with no registration required. However, registering in advance can help the Visitor Center team plan for the event.

The celebration is free and open to the public, rain or shine. Free parking is available at the Visitor Center. For those unable to attend in person, there are opportunities to participate remotely by observing the Moon with friends and family, attending a virtual event, or finding an event in your area. More information and registration can be found at go.nasa.gov/ObserveTheMoon.