Observe the Moon- at the Ure Museum
The Ure Museum will be open Friday 23rd 12:00-4:00 pm; Saturday 24th 2:00–8:00 pm and Sunday 25th 12:00-4:00 pm, displaying lunar samples and other space materials to celebrate International Observe the Moon on campus.
About this event
International Observe the Moon Night, led by NASA, is an annual global celebration inviting people to explore lunar science, reflect on cultural, historical, and personal connections to the Moon. Nearly one million people worldwide are expected to take part this year. This event is organised and hosted by the Department of Meteorology at the University of Reading.
On Saturday 24 October 2026 (3:00–8:00 pm), the University of Reading will host its own satellite event, supported by the Reading Astronomical Society. This is the third time it’s been hosted at the University of Reading, and this time it’s extra special, as there will be actual Moon samples from the Apollo missions on campus.
This event is free and includes ticketed indoor talks from 3:00 6:00 pm, followed by outdoor telescope observing from 6:00– 8:00 pm (weather permitting). Check-in for the talks opens at 2:30 pm.
Running alongside the main programme, the Ure Museum will be open from 2:00–8:00 pm, displaying lunar samples and other space materials.
Everyone attending in person must register so we can plan visitor numbers for health and safety. When registering, you can also request a ticket for the talks. Talk tickets are limited to 350 places and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. General event registration does not reserve a talk seat.
You do not need a talk ticket to visit the Ure Museum or take part in the outdoor telescope observing, but please still register for general event attendance.
Register here: https://forms.gle/cGJhCvCwKUhgYoVi7
The talks will also be broadcast live on the University of Reading YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/@UniofReading).
The lunar samples will also be displayed at the Ure Museum (with no registration needed):
Friday 23 October: 12:00-4:00 pm **(see Note in ‘Traveling by Car’ section)
Sunday 25 October:12:00-4:00 pm.
The event is suitable for all ages, especially the outdoor Moon observations, while the presentations will be more suited to ages 10 and up. Crayons and some hands-on materials will be available in the Palmer building foyer for young children as well.
| TIME | ACTION | VENUE |
| 2:30– 3:00pm | Registration / check-in for talks Ticket holders sign in before entering G10. | Palmer foyer / G10 |
| 3:00– 3:05pm | Event introduction James O’Donoghue welcomes guests, gives health and safety briefing. | G10, Palmer |
| 2:00– 8:00pm | PARALLEL: Ure Museum display Lunar samples and space materials. Open throughout the talks and observing; no talk ticket needed. | Ure Museum, Edith Morley |
| Session 1 – The Past | ||
| 3:05– 3:25pm | Prof. Duncan Garrow (Archaeology; UoR) What was the purpose of Stonehenge? The sun, the moon, and much, much more | G10, Palmer |
| 3:25– 3:45pm | Dr. Sam Agbamu (Classics; UoR) Romans and the Moon: The Scientific, the Sacred, and the Spooky | G10, Palmer |
| 3:45– 4:05pm | Prof. Anne Lawrence-Mathers (History; UoR) Viewing the Moon in the Middle Ages | G10, Palmer |
| 4:05– 4:25pm | Prof. Amy Smith (Classics; UoR) From Mercury to Artemis: What’s in a name? | G10, Palmer |
| 4:25– 4:40pm | Break — 15 minutes | Palmer |
| Session 2 – The Present and Future | ||
| 4:40– 5:00pm | Prof. Chris Scott (Space; UoR) About the Moon Samples on Campus (recorded talk) | G10, Palmer |
| 5:00– 5:20pm | Dr. Katherine Shirley (Space; U. of Oxford) Searching for water on the Moon | G10, Palmer |
| 5:20– 5:40pm | Prof. Suzanne Gray (Meteorology; UoR) The weather’s response to a solar eclipse | G10, Palmer |
| 5:40– 6:00pm | Dr. James O’Donoghue (Space; UoR) Back to the Moon | G10, Palmer |
| 6:00– 8:00pm | Outdoor Moon observing — weather permitting University and Reading Astronomical Society telescopes. General registration required; no talk ticket needed. Keep children with you. | Palmer Quad |
| 8:00pm | Event closes Observing and the museum display finish; guests depart. | Whiteknights |
Transport and Travel
Detailed information about how to get to the University campus including a detailed map of the Whiteknights site can be found at: www.reading.ac.uk/find-us
Public Transport
The University is served by excellent public transport links. Bus and train information is given on the University website, see the link above. The mainline train station is served by a direct link bus service to the campus. The bus route travels through the Whiteknights campus; guests are advised to alight at the Whiteknights House bus stop. Guests can then follow event signs to the Palmer Building for talk check-in, or to the Ure Museum in the Edith Morley Building for the display.
Travelling by car and parking
We recommend you use the Shinfield Road or Pepper Lane entrance to the University (see link to Whiteknights map above) and follow event signs to Car Park 1A. Google Maps URL https://maps.app.goo.gl/BtZi2mNbB6v82WqPA or simply enter these coordinates into Google or Apple Maps: 51.442248, -0.950424. Parking on the University campuses is free at this date/time; no permit is required after 5:00pm and at weekends.
**Note: if you are visiting the Ure Museum on campus on Friday (noon-4pm), you may park in Car Park 1A, but not that it is pay-and-display during this time, and may have limited availability.
Map
A: car park 1A
B: Palmer building and telescope staging area
C: Ure Museum
Dress Code
Please wrap up warmly with plenty of layers, as the viewings will be taking place outside (weather permitting). Also wear warm, comfortable, flat shoes with non-slip soles. We recommend bring a headtorch if you have one, or a fully charged mobile phone. Unfortunately we are unable to provide refreshments, but feel free to bring along your favourite warm (non-alcoholic!) beverage in a flask. Please dispose of litter and recycle responsibly. If you have your own binoculars or telescopes, feel free to bring them along! But please only do so at your own risk.
Accessibility
If you haven’t already done so during registration, please contact us as soon as possible if you have any access requirements.
Contact Details
If you have any questions or queries in advance of the event, please contact us at l.chong@reading.ac.uk.
Date & Time
23 – 25 October 2026