September 5, 2014

Kimberly Newton, Marshall Space Flight Center

Media and the public are invited to celebrate International Observe the Moon Night on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. CDT/6:30-9:30 EDT at NASAs Education Training Facility in Huntsville, Alabama. The free event will include moon-related exhibits and hands-on activities for children and adults. An inflatable planetarium show will allow visitors to learn more about the moons shape, colors, and terrain. Several large amateur telescopes will be set up to view the moon, stars, and other visible planets. Visitors can also take a virtual 3-D trip to the moon with the astronomy van, offering a magnified, command-module-like view of the lunar surface.

From 6:15-7 p.m. CDT/7:15-8 p.m. EDT a lunar science discussion will be held with planetary scientists Dr. Renee Weber and Dr. Barbara Cohen to learn more about the moons origin and surface features including craters, mountains and lava flows that can be observed with the naked eye, through telescopes and by orbiting cameras.

The lunar science discussion will be shown live via U-stream. To watch live, visit: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-msfc

Questions can be asked during the event by attendees or via Twitter or Ustream using the hashtag #moonnight.

News media interested in covering the event should contact Kim Newton in the Marshall Public & Employee Communications Office at 256-544-0371 no later than 3 p.m. CDT/4 p.m. EDT Sept. 5, 2014. Media must report to NASAs Education Training Facility to participate in the event.

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

For more information, follow Marshall Space Flight Centers social media channels:

http://www.facebook.com/nasamarshallcenter

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Earth's Moon The Focus Of International Observe The Moon Night On September 6