International Observe the Moon Night - 19 September 2026
TRAC invites everyone to see the Moon!
Event Countdown Clock
| Date: | Saturday, 19 September 2026 |
| Time: | 19:30 – 21:30 |
| Location: | Ryetop Park, Rainham (Kent) |
| Tickets: | Free event – No booking required |
Please note: Our observational events depend on clear skies. If it's too cloudy, we'll reschedule for the following Saturday, 26 September. Check before heading out!
Continue reading for more details …
General Information
NASA International Observe the Moon Night 2026
Everyone's invited to Ryetop Park to see the Moon
The Taverners Road Astronomy Club invites the local community to a public stargazing event in celebration of NASA's International Observe the Moon Night 2026.
The event will take place on Saturday, 19 September 2026, from 19:30 until 21:30 at Ryetop Park, Rainham, Kent. Wrap up warm – it gets cold quickly!
International Observe the Moon Night is a worldwide public event that encourages observation, appreciation and understanding of our Moon and its connection to space science, exploration, and human culture.
This year, NASA is celebrating the exciting new lunar observations made by the four astronauts of the Artemis II crew in April 2026.
Video credit: NASA
Observe the Moon with TRAC
Everyone's welcome – no experience or equipment needed
Our friendly and experienced Astronomy Club members will be on hand to help you use binoculars and telescopes and give you a guided tour of the Moon and other celestial objects.
We look forward to exploring the Moon with you!
- See the Moon at high magnification through a powerful telescope.
- Take a detailed photo of the Moon with our Seestar S50 smart telescope.
- Try out a few different types of telescope designs.
- Be part of a huge worldwide celebration of the Moon.
- Learn some exciting space science and have fun!
Plus, there's more to see after 20:15 …
- Saturn – See the planet's rings and largest moon, Titan.
- Andromeda Galaxy – The nearest major galaxy to our Milky Way.
- Double Stars – See pairs of stars that appear close together through a telescope.
- Constellations – Learn to identify some of the most famous ones.
- Satellites – Count how many you can spot gliding overhead.
- Meteors – You might even see a shooting star if you're very, very lucky!
These targets will become easier to see as the sky darkens. The highlight in September 2026 is the planet Saturn. We're expecting to be able to see Saturn and its rings by around 20:30.
Let's hope for clear skies so we can see all these amazing sights!!!
More Information from NASA
- FAQ About the Event
https://science.nasa.gov/moon/observe-the-moon-night/faq/ - 10 Ways to Observe the Moon
https://science.nasa.gov/moon/observe-the-moon-night/observe-at-home/ - NASA's Official Moon Map for 19 September 2026
https://science.nasa.gov/moon/observe-the-moon-night/moon-map/
The Weather
We're hoping for a clear night with a perfect view of the Moon.
The event will not go ahead if it's cloudy or if there's a high chance of rain or strong winds.
A go/no-go decision will be made at 18:30 on the day of the event and posted on this page.
Backup date: If the weather isn't suitable on Saturday, 19 September, we'll reschedule for the following Saturday, 26 September.
Please check back for updates before you set out.
18:30 Weather Update
PENDING
Information for Parents
Children are very welcome to join us for an exciting evening of moongazing.
Most kids are naturally curious about space, and we aim to offer them a fun, educational, and memorable experience. There are just a few things that we ask you to bear in mind:
- Wrap up warm! The air can get chilly very quickly after sunset.
- Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or responsible adult.
- Young children will need to be closely supervised at all times.
- Recommended minimum age: 6 years old.
Children can take part in our TRAC Moon Challenge and put their astronomy skills to the test! If they complete all five challenges, they'll earn a special "Observe the Moon Night 2026" certificate to celebrate their achievement.
Visiting Us
If the park gate is locked when you arrive, please go to the entrance on Taverners Road and give us a call on 07999 356 890. We'll come and let you in!
Meet Us in Ryetop Park in Rainham
The park is opposite the top of Norreys Road. It's also known locally as Norreys Park.
Address: Ryetop Playing Fields, Taverners Road, Rainham, ME8 9AQ
Map Links: Google Maps | Apple Maps | Bing Maps | OpenStreetMap
Park Facilities
- Seating is limited to a few benches. We'll have some chairs available for anyone who may need a rest. Feel free to bring a beach or camping chair if you'd like to moongaze in comfort.
- Self-catering event! The Moon is best observed with drinks and snacks. The newsagents, Kent Best Buy, in Norreys Road is open until 19:30, and Londis in Maidstone Road is open until 22:00.
- Please help us keep the park clean and free of litter.
- There are no toilet facilities.
Parking Information
- Please arrive on foot if possible.
- Limited street parking is available nearby.
- Please avoid parking in Beacon Close – the road is narrow, and parking is restricted (double-yellow lines) near the park entrance.
Thank you for helping us keep the area safe and accessible for everyone.
Questions & Feedback
We are happy to answer any questions you have about this event or our astronomy club.
Email us at [email protected]
Online Resources
Learn more about our Moon!
For Children
We've found some great websites with games and fun activities about the Moon and outer space:
- NASA Space Place - Explore Earth and Space!
https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/ - BBC Bitesize - The Moon - KS2 Science
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z3b3ydm - Moon Observation Journal
https://moon.nasa.gov/resources/12/moon-observation-journal/
For Astronomy Students
Here are some websites with more indepth technical information for anyone who wants to take their astronomy knowledge to the next level:
- NASA Science: Earth's Moon
https://science.nasa.gov/moon/ - Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
https://science.nasa.gov/mission/lro/ - LRO's Current Location
https://lroc.im-ldi.com/about/whereislro/ - NASA Artemis Missions: Returning to the Moon
https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/artemis/ - Artemis II to the Moon: Launch to Splashdown (YouTube)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke6XX8FHOHM
Contact Details
This is a free event organised by TRAC Operations Ltd for the benefit of the local community.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07999 356 890