Science and Community Under the Stars
On Friday, October 3, North Dakota’s Gateway to Science joined communities around the world to celebrate International Observe the Moon Night (IOMN) — a global event that brings people together to explore our closest celestial neighbor. This year, NASA reported 1,430 community events and 3,858 individual or household registrations worldwide, all united by one simple joy: looking up.
Space Adventures for Every Age
Families filled the science center for an evening of hands-on space fun. Kids launched Alka Seltzer Rockets, explored Impact Craters, sculpted their own Exoplanets from air-dry clay, and designed lunar base camps on our giant moon map. With Club for the Future, guests created digital postcards to send to the Moon.
Inside our Digitalis Planetarium Dome, visitors experienced “Science Through Shadows – Ring of Fire Eclipse,” a stunning show that connects to last year’s annular eclipse and a deepened appreciation for the sky.
First Telescope Views and Shared Wonder
Three local amateur astronomers helped guests view the Moon through telescopes throughout the evening. For many, it was their first time ever seeing the Moon up close. Several guests spotted the Moon’s ejecta rays for the first time—those bright streaks that radiate from craters—and couldn’t hide their excitement.
Community Connections
We welcomed over 300 guests for this year’s celebration, making it a very memorable evening. Sweet Pieces Lemonade and T’s Kettle Corn also joined the fun. T’s Kettle Corn generously donated and matched all proceeds from the evening to support our mission.
International Observe the Moon Night is a perfect reminder that science isn’t just about discovery—it’s about connection. Whether you joined us at the science center or observed from your backyard, we were all part of something bigger, together.
Keep Exploring with Us
Our mission is to make science engaging, accessible, and fun for everyone. From community events like this to Gateway to Science on the Go, workshops, and activities for the whole family, there’s always something new to discover.
Check out our events schedule to see what fun is coming up next.