Residents put eyes to the sky during Moon Over Main

GRAVETTE — The Gravette Public Library hosted a new edition of its popular Moon Over Main Street event Oct. 21, and about 100 people attended the event, which was held on International Observe the Moon Night.

International Observe the Moon Night is an annual public outreach event sponsored by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission, the Solar System Exploration Division at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, and other NASA and astronomical organizations that encourage observation, exploration and understanding of the moon and its connection to planetary science and exploration.

Members of the Friends of the Gravette Public Library set up tables in front of the library and served food to visitors.

Sugar Creek Astronomical Society members set up telescopes and were available to answer questions and help those who needed assistance using the equipment.

Society members Vern Howard and Kent Marts set up telescopes and assisted people with viewing while other members distributed free “Let’s Go Stargazing!” pamphlets and posters of the planets.

Sheryl Pearson helped children make masks and illustrate the moon’s phases with Oreos.

The library staff provided free star charts and helped visitors who brought their flashlights to equip them for nighttime use. A Pajama Story Time for children was held at 7:30 p.m., and several children participated, listening as library assistant Brittany Mangold read the book “Moongame” by Frank Asch.

The youngsters had been invited to wear their pajamas and bring a stuffed animal if they chose. Children who attended were given a free book.

Several families came out for the event with some bringing blankets and reclining on the sidewalk, some bringing chairs and others sitting on the curb as they waited for their turn to look through the telescopes.

Viewing was not ideal as the sky was hazy early on, but it cleared a little during the evening, and people were excited to get views of the planets and a few stars.

The library will distribute solar glasses for viewing the solar eclipse in April 2024 and share 300 pairs with the Gravette School District.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Susan Holland) Children and some parents listen Oct. 21 as library assistant Brittany Mangold reads the book “Moongame” during a story time as part of the Moon Over Main Street event.

(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Susan Holland) Sugar Creek Astronomical Society member Sheryl Pearson helps Carly Brooks, 9, of Gravette to prepare a display of the phases of the moon using Oreos during the event.