Observe the Moon Night at NASA Ames on Aug. 1, 2009

During the year 2009, the world is celebrating the International Year of Astronomy as it commemorates the 400th anniversary of Galileo’s use of a telescope to study the skies.

As part of the International Year of Astronomy, the IYA Summer Star Party on Aug. 1, 2009, will focus on observing the moon. Across the country, amateur astronomy clubs will be setting up their telescopes and offering the public opportunities to conduct first-hand exploration of the lunar surface.

NASA’s LCROSS (Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite) mission and the NASA Lunar Science Institute will join with local amateur astronomers to host one of these events. Observe the Moon Night will be held at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., on Aug. 1, 2009. The event is free of charge and will take place from 8:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

For more information, visit http://www.lcross.arc.nasa.gov/observethemoonnight.htm.