Join scientists to observe moon with University telescopes
02 September 2024
Part of NASA is set to come to Reading as University scientists, schoolchildren and families take part in International Observe the Moon Night 2024.
Taking place on Saturday, 14 September, telescopes of various sizes from the University of Reading’s Department of Meteorology will be laid out for members of the public to gaze up at the moon.
A range of talks from space scientists, historians and language experts, pitched at high school age and above, will take place before observations begin.
Limited spaces remain for the event, due to take place at the University of Reading’s Whiteknights Campus.
Dr James O’Donoghue, the University of Reading space scientist who organised the event, said: “NASA came up with Observe the Moon Night to celebrate lunar observation, science, and the cultural impact that the Moon has had on us throughout history.
“We are fortunate to have the Moon right on our celestial doorstep—so large and close that we can see its details with the unaided eye. I hope we can inspire people about science by showing how the Moon has impacted humanity this September. And with a bit of luck and good weather, we’ll take an even closer look through a telescope.”
Sign up to the University of Reading’s Observe the Moon Night 2024 event. Spaces are extremely limited.
Schedule for Saturday, 14 September, International Observe the Moon Night:
19:15:
Event starts.
19:30-20:20
Talks from public speakers:
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Dr James O’Donoghue, Associate Professor in Planetary Astronomy. Introduction to Observe The Moon Night and An Animated Tour Of The Moon.
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Professor Chris Scott, Professor in Space and Atmospheric Physics. Space Weather and the Earth-Moon System
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Cong Xia Li, Lecturer and Language Lead. The Moon in Chinese Culture and the Chinese Moon Festival
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Professor Amy Smith, Professor of Classical Archaeology and Curator of the Ure Museum. The Moon in Ancient Athens' Festival Calendar
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Dr Tony Capstick, Associate Professor of Language and Migration. How Language about the Moon Evolved With Time
20:20-21:30
Moon observations begin outside Palmer Building, Whiteknights Campus.
Contributor Anne Lawrence-Mathers, Professor of Medieval History, will provide a hand-out made especially for this event about society’s understanding of the Moon throughout classical, medieval and early-modern history.
Alternate arrangements are in place in the event of bad weather.
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