International Observe the Moon Night & Telescope Clinic

Help us promote this event.  Download this 8-1/2 x 11 flyer, print it out, and post it at your school, your workplace, your local coffee shop or your local library...

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.  This event is open to the public at Palo Corona Park, in cooperation with the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District (MPRPD).  Telescopes, binoculars and a universe of knowledge are provided by members of the MIRA Astronomy Club.

Here is a brief description and some tips, as presented on the back page of MPRPD's Let's Go Outdoors! brochure:

EVENT REGISTRATION:  Registration at the MPRPD website is recommenced but not necessary.  To register, click here, then click on "Star Gazing" in the program headings, then scroll down to the bottom of the webpage and select this event.

This evening has two concurrent events:

Event Theme #1:  Telescope Clinic
6:00pm to 7:00pm

Got a telescope but do not know how to use it?  Bring it to this event and let another club member teach you how.  If interested, contact us so that we can pair you with another club member.  (If you show up with a telescope unannounced, there may not be anyone available to help you.)  To club members:  click here if you are willing to help an event participant with his/her telescope.

Event Theme #2:  International Observe the Moon Night
7:00pm to 9:00pm

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.

The highlight of this event will be a thirteen-day-old waxing gibbous moon, about 94% illuminated (nearly a "full moon").  Saturn and Neptune should be visible too.

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

* "maria" ("seas" in Latin) are actually dry basaltic plains believed to be created by flowing lava



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 6:00pm for "telescope clinic" activities and have your own equipment set up by 7:00pm for IOTMN activities.  The park entrance gate will remain open until at least 10:00pm.