Encouraging Observation, Appreciation & Understanding
International Observe the Moon Night is a worldwide, public celebration of lunar science and exploration held annually since 2010. On September 14, 2024, your library is invited to join this world-wide celebration by hosting an event on one day each year to look at and learn about our Moon together.
International Observe the Moon Night is usually held in the fall, when the Moon is around first quarter. Fall in the Northern Hemisphere is generally a good time, because of school schedules and the weather, and a first quarter Moon is visible in the afternoon and evening, a convenient time for most hosts and participants.
Earth’s Moon: The Basics
Our moon makes Earth a more livable planet by moderating our home planet’s wobble on its axis, leading to a relatively stable climate, and creating a tidal rhythm that has guided humans for thousands of years.
Quick Moon Facts
– Only celestial body that’s been visited by humans.
– Minimum temperature: -387 degrees Fahrenheit.
– Maximum temperature: 253 degrees Fahrenheit.
– Distance from the Earth: About 239,000 miles.
– “Year” (time to orbit the Earth): About 27 Earth days.
– Day: About 27 Earth days.
Night Sky Network Webinar
Join an International Lunar Celebration!
International Observe the Moon Night is a worldwide, public celebration of lunar science and exploration held annually since 2010. Join the Night Sky Network and International Observe the Moon Night planning team to learn about #ObserveTheMoon resources including Moon maps, curated hands-on activities, program evaluation tools, and more!
Pop Culture and Misconceptions
Our lunar neighbor has inspired stories since the first humans looked up at the sky and saw its gray, cratered face. Some observers saw among the craters the shape of a person’s face, so stories refer to a mysterious “Man in the Moon.” Hungrier observers compared its craters to cheese and dreamed of an entire sphere made of delicious dairy products.
While we do not yet have a Moon colony, spacecraft have left lots of debris on the lunar surface, and astronauts have planted six American flags on the Moon. But that doesn’t mean the United States has claimed the Moon; in fact, an international law written in 1967 prevents any single nation from owning planets, stars, or any other natural objects in space.
Programming Resources
Below we have assembled a collection of resources that include vetted STEM activities, printable materials (PDF format), gallery items and important webpages that your library can utilize for your International Observe the Moon Night programming.