In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, Austin Community College (ACC) invites students, faculty, staff, and the community to a Moon Party 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, at ACC Round Rock Campus (4400 College Park Dr.). The Moon Party is a special edition of the 8th annual ACC Star Party, commemorating the 1969 moon landing.
On July 16, 1969, NASA astronauts launched into space. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon four days later. The following day, the two were the first people to take a step on the moon. Apollo 11’s crew returned safely on July 24, 1969.
“The Apollo missions, specifically Apollo 11, marks a significant turning point for humanity in general,” says Joe Brinkley, ACC department chair of Physics, Astronomy, and Engineering. “I wouldn't be surprised if the moment Neil Armstrong took his first step on the moon becomes the origin of the next chapter in humanity.”
The event features discussions on the significance of the moon landing, a mobile planetarium, and guided viewing through telescopes on the astronomy viewing deck.
Schedule
6 - 8 p.m.
ACC Hands-on Science
Mobile Planetarium - Building 2000
6 - 8:30 p.m.
Space Food and Video’s of the Moon Mission - Building 3000, Room 3336 & 3337
7:40 - 8:30 p.m.
"The History of Spaceflight" Talk by Dr. Jim Heath - Building 3000, Room 3336
8:30 - 9:20 p.m.
"What We Learned from Apollo" Talk by Dr. Michael Endl - Building 3000, Room 3337
8:30 - 9:40 p.m.
Guided observation of the night sky, including sites on the moon - Building 1000, Viewing Deck & Parking Lot M
The events, hosted by the Physics, Astronomy, and Engineering department, are free and open to the public.
For more information, visit https://www.austincc.edu/astro/starparty.