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Moon Night 2019

Living on the Moon

This event took place on 6th December 2019 at 5:00pm (17:00 GMT)
Berrill Lecture Theatre, The Open University, Walton Hall Campus, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

Join us for a celebration of 50 years since humans first walked on the Moon and learn about the latest news from our nearest neighbour in space! Find out what it might take to make ‘Living on the Moon’ a reality in the next 50 years!

Our world-leading researchers in Planetary and Space Sciences at The Open University will be available to engage you in various hands-on activities involving Moon rocks and meteorites and answer any questions you may have about Space Exploration.

17:00 Welcome address

17:05 Introduction to the event (Dr Mahesh Anand, lead organiser).

17:30 to 20:00 Get hands-on with the Moon*

  • Staff and students involved in lunar research at the OU are on-hand all evening to talk about their research and answer any type of question about the Moon and beyond.
  • Test your knowledge on 60 years of lunar exploration
  • Step into a planetarium dome to observe a voyage to the Moon- limited tickets (offered on the day.
  • Hold the largest Moon rock in UK, and explore the Virtual Microscope for Apollo samples.
  • Learn how 3D printing could be used to build habitats on the Moon.
  • Walk on the Moon via an immersive virtual reality experience.
  • Draw your own astronaut mask and write your thoughts on a Moon Wall!
  • Ask OU scientists questions you always wondered about the Moon and space.
  • Other surprises including lots of space related prizes to be won…

20:00 Public lecture by Dr Sarah Rugheimer (U of Oxford), who is the recipient of the Barrie Jones Award for outstanding contribution to outreach and the teaching of Astrobiology (this award is co-sponsored by the Astrobiology Society of Britain). Complimentary refreshments will be available in the Berrill Café prior to this lecture.

Note: A portion of Moon Night will also be livecast and subsequently archived for later viewing for those who could not attend in person. You can view some of the videos from 2018 Moon Night on YouTube: https://youtu.be/23J8Ua6C0z4

The café will be open for attendees to purchase food and drink from. Those who stay until the end will be offered light drinks and nibbles before the final lecture

5:00 pm Welcome address Introduction to the event (Dr Mahesh Anand, lead organiser).
   Prof Mahesh Anand
6:00 pm Making the Moon. Near Earth Asteroids.
   Prof Mahesh Anand
8:00 pm Public lecture by Dr Sarah Rugheimer
   Prof Mahesh Anand

The webcast was open to 3000 users