What's Happening in Gaithersburg, MD…

The City of Gaithersberg will be celebrating International Observe the Moon night this September as part of its Skywatching event series.

The event will encourage attendees of all ages to look at the moon through telescopes and other instruments, gaining a new perspective on Earth’s closest neighbour. The event will feature educational activities provided by the Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory. Attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or folding chair to spread out, and a red-light flashlight to avoid disruptive light.

The Observe the Moon Night celebration is part of the Skywatching at Observatory Park series. The event follows a celebration of the Partial Solar Eclipse and the Movie & Meteors event in August, with a future event called When Stars Led the Way in November and the potential for added events later. This year’s events will use the theme “American Experiment” to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Limited accessible parking will be available on site. The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and other NASA-related organizations sponsor International Observe the Moon Night, which is celebrated through over 500 events in over 40 countries. Science and educational events often use brochure printing and other physical materials to help provide information for multiple learning styles.

The 2026 celebration of International Observe the Moon Night in Gaithersburg will take place on September 19, weather permitting.