Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Moon landing

The Monkton Stargazers will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the first Moon Landing on the Friday and Saturday 12 and 13 July from 6pm to 9pm each day. Why then, and not on the 20th? The Moon is at a good phase and is visible from 6pm whereas on the 20th it rises at midnight.
We have many activities planned. Apart from a talk and viewing through the telescope, we can measure the distance to the Moon and its diameter. We will investigate impact craters. With the help of the Hilderstone Radio Society we will use a radio signal to track an astronaut who has landed in the Siberian forests (Monkton Nature Reserve!), we will control a lunar rover and we can reproduce Katie Paterson’s Morse code exhibit. A licensed radio operator will send the song ‘Happy Birthday’ in Morse code to be reflected off the cliff face of the Reserve. It will be received and translated back into the notes.