SAMPLES of the Moon will be available to view up close at the University of Reading as stargazers get set for an evening of celebrating Earth’s nearest neighbour.
Rocks recovered from the NASA Apollo Moon missions will be displayed at Whiteknights campus next month, accompanied by outdoor stargazing and a series of talks for International Observe the Moon Night 2026.
It is the third time the University has hosted the event, which was originally organised by NASA and is replicated in various events all over the world.
The afternoon will commence with ticketed indoor talks from leading academics spanning multiple disciplines, from Archaeology and Classics to Meteorology and Planetary Science, running from 3pm to 6pm, before outdoor stargazing activities take place from 6pm to 8pm, weather permitting.
Running alongside the main programme, the Ure Museum will be open and displaying the lunar samples and other space materials.
Dr James O’Donoghue, the University of Reading planetary scientist leading this year’s event, explained: “Having real Apollo Moon samples on campus is a genuine once-in-a-lifetime moment for our visitors.
“These are actual pieces of another world, brought back by astronauts decades ago, and now people in Reading can stand right next to them.
“Pair that with a telescope view of the Moon overhead, and you get a rare chance to connect the history you can hold with the sky you can see.”
Outdoor stargazing and a series of talks will be held at Whiteknights Campus for International Observe the Moon Night on Saturday, October 24.
Registration for the event is open to everyone and is not limited, but those wishing to attend the indoor talks must request a talk ticket by selecting the option on the registration form.
These talk tickets are limited to 350 and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Registration without a talk ticket still provides access to the Ure Museum display and outdoor stargazing activities.
The talks will be recorded and made available online on the University of Reading’s International Observe the Moon Night event page.
Full details and registration are available via: ourresearch.reading.ac.uk/met-spate/international-observe-the-moon-night-2026
