NASA Invites Everyone to Observe the Moon

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NASA is holding International Observe the Moon Night on Saturday, 19 September 2026, inviting people around the world to head outside and look up at the night sky.

The main event will be held at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, USA, from 6pm to 9pm, with telescopes set up for visitors to get a close-up look at the Moon’s craters and mountains.

Visitors will be able to see a real Moon rock collected during the Apollo 14 mission, take photos, and try hands-on space activities.

The event celebrates NASA’s Artemis II mission, when four astronauts circled the Moon in April 2026 — the first time humans had travelled that far from Earth in more than 50 years.

International Observe the Moon Night has been held every year since 2010. People who can’t get to Maryland can join in with local moon-watching events, or online, through NASA’s website.

With clear skies, the Moon should be a great sight for budding astronomers everywhere, including here in New Zealand.

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Te Reo Māori
Ka Tono a NASA i te Katoa kia Mātakitaki i te Marama

Ka whakahaeretia e NASA te International Observe the Moon Night i te Rāhoroi, 19 o Hepetema 2026, e tono ana i ngā tāngata puta noa i te ao kia haere ki waho ki te titiro ki te rangi i te pō.

Ka tū te kaupapa matua ki te Goddard Space Flight Center a NASA i Maryland, Amerika, mai i te 6 karaka ki te 9 karaka i te pō, ā, ka whakaritea ngā karu whakarahi hei tirotiro tino tata ki ngā rua me ngā maunga o te Marama.

Ka taea e ngā manuhiri te titiro ki tētahi toka Marama pono i kohia i te wā o te miihana Apollo 14, te tango whakaahua, me te whakamātau i ētahi mahi-ā-ringa e pā ana ki te mōkai.

Ka whakanui te kaupapa i te miihana Artemis II a NASA, i te wā i taiāwhio ai ngā kaimahi mōkai tokowhā i te Marama i Āperira 2026 — te wā tuatahi i haere ai te tangata i tēnei tawhiti mai i te Ao mō neke atu i te 50 tau.

Kua whakahaeretia te International Observe the Moon Night ia tau mai anō i te tau 2010. Mō te hunga kāore e taea te haere ki Maryland, ka taea te whai wāhi mā ngā kaupapa mātakitaki-marama ā-rohe, ā-ipurangi rānei, mā te paetukutuku o NASA.

Mehemea ka mārama te rangi, tērā pea he tino ataahua te Marama mō ngā tamariki whai-whetū o te ao, tae atu ki Aotearoa nei.

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SMART Prep | Quick Question 210632

On Monday, Room 8 began preparing for their three-day camp at Tongariro National Park. The class checked sleeping bags, packed food boxes, and reviewed safety rules for the hike. Some students were excited about the volcano views, while others were most interested in the night walk and the chance to see native plants.

By Wednesday, every group had a task. One team organised first-aid supplies, another labelled tents, and a third prepared maps for the walking tracks. Their teacher reminded them that the camp was not only about having fun. It was also a chance to learn how to work together, follow directions, and take responsibility in a new environment.

Which statement best expresses the main idea of the passage?

  

Did You Know?

What special event does NASA invite everyone to in 2026?
NASA invites everyone to observe the Moon on International Observe the Moon Night!

Vocabulary

Click on the words in the article. See if you can find them all.
  • astronomers Scientists who study stars, planets, and space. Astronomers use telescopes to learn about the Moon.
  • mission A special task or job to achieve something. The Apollo 14 mission brought back Moon rocks.
  • event A planned occasion or activity. The Moon observation event happens every year.
  • Thinking Question

    How do you think observing the Moon can inspire people?