The Department of Physics is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing on Friday, July 19, with telescopes and much more.

Touch a moon rock. Build a pocket solar system. See the moon like never before.

It’s all part of a celebration by Colorado State University’s Department of Physics to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. This free event for all ages will feature hands-on activities as well as an opportunity to view the moon and other celestial objects once the sun sets.

This event is scheduled for Friday, July 19, from 8-10:30 p.m. at the Madison-Macdonald Observatory.

Details about parking and the schedule can be found at https://www.physics.colostate.edu/about/astronomy/apollo-50th-celebration/.

On July 20, 1969, NASA astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin become the first two people to set foot on the moon as part of the Apollo 11 mission.

If you are curious about why people haven’t been back to the moon since the 1970s, Emeritus Professor Roger Culver will present a lecture at 8:30 p.m. on the topic in the Natural and Environmental Sciences Building (NESB) near the observatory.

All ages can enjoy the hands-on activities, which include the opportunity to touch a moon rock as well as view micrometeorites and make a pocket solar system, a star clock and a planisphere.

Around 9 p.m., telescopes will be set up for observing the night sky. Professor Emily Hardegree-Ullman, Little Shops of Physics Assistant Director Heather Michalak as well as other Little Shop staff, telescope operators, and physics graduate students will be on hand for astronomy-related questions.