Listen:
Scientists and amateurs in southern Arizona will join forces to concentrate on the moon, the brightest natural light in the night sky.
The organizations will take part in International Observe the Moon Night Friday, Sept. 18 and will hold daily events until the finale - a lunar eclipse - on Sunday, Sept. 27.
The week will include daily Moon Talks at the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium and will also provide information about the University of Arizona's role in the efforts to land a man on the moon.
Organizers include the science center, UA's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory and the Tucson Amateur Astronomers Association, where Ben Bailey is the president.
He works in information technology, but enjoys the serenity and wonder offered by the night sky.
"It helps me just to relax, just to go outside and look at the sky and learn a little bit about the objects and behavior and our place in the universe," Bailey said.
"It kind of helps me to get a little grip on who I am and where I am and have a better understanding."
International Observe the Moon Night is Saturday, Sept. 19 in most places, but it was moved to Friday in Tucson due to a UA football game Saturday night.
By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.