NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center Hosts Third Annual ‘International Observe the Moon Night’

What: NASA will host “International Observe the Moon Night” Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Education Training Facility located at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. International Observe the Moon Night is an annual event, now in its third year, that encourages the public to engage in lunar science and innovations, and allows scientists, educators, and moon enthusiasts from around the globe to share in the excitement of new discoveries in science and space exploration.

Visitors will be able to participate in several hands-on activities, view the moon with a variety of telescopes, and learn more about the moon and planets in an inflatable planetarium show. A specially equipped astronomy van will give visitors the chance to take 3-D trips to the moon, and will give participants the chance to see a magnified, command-module view of the lunar surface. Special speakers and presenters will be on hand, and there will be a trivia game with prizes offered to participants.

Who: NASA presenters include:

Dr. Barbara Cohen, a planetary scientist, from 6:15-6:45 p.m. in the auditorium.
Dr. Rob Suggs, head of Marshall’s Space Environments Team, from
7:15-7:45 p.m. in the auditorium.
Dr. Renee Weber, a planetary scientist, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the “Ask a Scientist Table.”
Dr. Bill Cooke, lead of Marshall’s Meteoroid Environments Office, and Rhiannon Baauw, a meteor physicist, will present in the NASA Inflatable Planetarium throughout the evening.

When: Saturday, Sept. 22 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Speakers will be available for interviews following their presentations.

Where: NASA’s Education Training Facility at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Directions: Take Interstate 565 to exit 15 for Madison Pike toward Sparkman Drive/Bob Wallace Avenue. Keep right at the fork, and follow signs to the Space & Rocket Center. Take the first left after the Marriott entrance.

To attend:The event is free and open to the public. News media interested in covering the event should contact Shannon Ridinger in the Marshall Public & Employee Communications office at 256-544-0034 no later than close of business Sept. 21. Media must report to NASA’s Education Training Facility to participate in the event.