Journey to the moon with Maropeng

Every year, as close as possible to 20 July, Maropeng hosts an event that’s more rocket science than it is stargazing.

It’s a commemoration of the first human lunar landing on 20 July 1969 and, this year, it’s happening on Saturday 16 July at the Maropeng boutique hotel.

Join our resident astronomer, Vincent Nettmann, as he presents this popular illustrated talk. Using his scale model Apollo 11 rocket, he will demonstrate how NASA made the first successful journey to the moon’s surface, and will discuss some of the event’s more interesting questions: What were the difficulties of human lunar exploration? How were they overcome? Did man really go to the moon? What about the conspiracy theories?

The after-dinner talk will be slightly shorter than usual as it will be followed by a 25-minute video featuring the best of the original NASA Apollo film clips from this era.

As always, the laser-guided binocular tour and large aperture telescopic stargazing afterwards are subject to weather conditions.

Itinerary

18h00: Arrive for welcome drinks in the hotel reception nave
18h30: Enjoy a stargazing presentation
19h30: Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Stargazing through our telescopes will take place after dinner

What to bring

If you have your own binoculars you are welcome to bring them along. Bring a warm jacket as the evenings can be chilly.

Weather

If it is raining or overcast the talk and dinner will still take place but not the stargazing through the telescopes.

Grab your tickets today for this annual, not-to-be-missed event.