Observe the Moon Night: Students take in the night sky

By Amanda Phipps

phippsa@thejohnsonian.com

A participant enjoys looking through the commercial telesccope provided to observe the moon. Photos by Kathleen Brown • brownk@thejohnsonian.com

People of all ages stood looking into the night sky as the Earth moved, making the moon appear to move slowly upward past the trees.

Learning that the Earth moves about 1,000 mph and having to follow the moon with a telescope because of this phenomenon, were some of the experiences people had at International Observe the Moon Night (InOHM).

InOHM brought people together under one sky across the world last Saturday. The Carolina Skygazers, an astronomy club in Rock Hill, sponsored the event.

At a park near Manchester Meadows, the Rock Hill community came together to observe and learn about the moon.

“We were looking at different parts of the moon and explaining about the craters,” said Carolina Skygazers member Blake Crook. “We wanted to spark interest and get people to see things they have never seen and  ask questions.”

There were different types of telescopes and a pair of binoculars people could use to observe the moon. Before it was dark enough to see the moon clearly, people were able to see the sun through a telescope. Black sun spots were also visible.

Within a period of about an hour, another sun spot became visible for people to see.

“The sky is very dynamic,” said Carolina Skygazers member Doug Cook. “Things are always in flex on the sun and in the sky. It just takes being observant to notice.”

A Carolina Skygazers member looks at the moon through a smaller telescope. A variety of equipment was provided for people to observe the moon and planets during International Observe the Mooon Night. Photos by Kathleen Brown • brownk@thejohnsonian.comChildren also enjoyed looking at the moon through the different telescopes and binoculars.

“I can see blue craters,” one participant said.

Adults were able to learn about the moon’s surface and see it through the various telescopes.

“It was there and it was unique,” participant Shamanika Hills said. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Venus became visible as the night progressed. Cook said it resembled a bright white half-crescent moon. It looked similar to this because of its position relative to the position of Earth and the sun, he said.

“It is brighter at this time in the season than any other time even though less of the planet is illuminated,” he said. “This may be because it is closer to us than later in the season.”

Participants said they were able to see Uranus when darkness fell using the bigger telescopes. They also saw Jupiter surrounded by its four moons.

“To have telescopes of this size is a rare treat,” said Charlotte Amateur Astronomy Club member Bob Meunier.  

People were able to scan the sky with the equipment provided, which allowed them to see more than just the planets, participants said. 

“I think I saw proof of aliens,” Winthrop science communication major Kate Rishebarger said. “There was a vehicle I thought was an airplane, but realized it was too close. It looked like an x-wing from Star Wars.”

Though the event allowed people to use their imagination, it was also a time to learn. Participants said the craters on the moon became clearly visible with the telescopes after dark and were a topic of education throughout the night. 

“Larger craters are about 140 miles across,” said Carolina Skygazers member Roddey Gardner. “The smaller craters are estimated to be about half the size of Rock Hill.”

The local event provided a night of learning and moon gazing to the Rock Hill community.

“I think this was an excellent idea because it brought people together who share the same interests,” Winthrop graduate student Avianna Rishebarger said. “I learned a lot.”