Stargazers, young and old, recently came out to observe the
night sky as part of an annual global event, International Observe the Moon
Night, one that encourages people to do, well, just that and appreciate the
moon.
The event is supported by America’s space agency Nasa’s
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission, the Solar System Exploration Division of
the agency’s Goddard Space Flight Center and other affiliated astronomical
organisations. It promotes the observation, appreciation and understanding of
the moon for one day each year, explained Marius Reitz, an amateur astronomer
from Edgemead, who organised the local event.
A partner at the Leeuwenboschfontein Astronomical
Observatory and former chair of the Cape Centre of the Astronomical Society of
Southern Africa, he has hosted the event in Edgemead for seven years now.
This year’s one was held on Saturday 14 September at the
Edgemead Village Centre.
