Along with Zero Shadow Day, Observe the Moon Night and International Astronomy Day, we also have International Moon Day, that is celebrated by astronomers around the world. International Moon Day, along with International Astronomy is an International day declared by the United Nations to commemorate the day humans set foot on the Moon.
On 20th July 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the Moon becoming the first humans to ever set foot on another terrestrial surface. International Moon Day, as proclaimed by the United Nations, is celebrated every year since 2021 to commemorate the Apollo 11 lunar landing.
A Small Step for Man, A Giant Leap for Mankind
International Moon Day is dedicated to celebrate the achievements of humankind in the exploration of the Moon, and to raise awareness about sustainable lunar explorations.
It all started with Luna 2, a spacecraft from the USSR that crashed into the Moon’s surface on September 14th, 1959.
Since then, many space probes have been launched to orbit, explore and study the lunar surface and its composition to get a better understanding of the Moon and its association with the Earth.
Here’s what the UN website says:
Why Moon Day?
The General Assembly declared International Moon Day, a United Nations-designated international day to be observed annually on 20 July, in its resolution 76/76 on “International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space” in 2021.
International Moon Day marks the anniversary of the first landing by humans on the Moon as part of the Apollo 11 lunar mission.
The celebrations will also consider the achievements of all States in the exploration of the Moon and raise public awareness of sustainable Moon exploration and utilization.
Background
For thousands of years, human civilizations have looked up to the sky pondering the origin and mysteries of the Moon – our only natural satellite. Ground-based observations enabled by the invention of the first telescopes opened a new chapter in our understanding of our celestial companion.
With the birth of space activities, the Moon became the ultimate destination of countless missions, including crewed flights that brought the first human footprints to another place in the universe.
As Moon exploration efforts continue taking shape with ambitious plans, this global celebration will serve not only as a reminder of success in the past, but as an annual testimony to future endeavours.
UN and Space
From the very beginning of the Space Age, the United Nations recognized that outer space added a new dimension to humanity’s existence. The United Nations family strives continuously to utilize the unique benefits of outer space for the betterment of all humankind.
PAAC’s Efforts
As always, at PAAC we are constantly in effort to bring information about astronomy to public, whenever and wherever possible; and we do it best through our infographics and posters that is shared across the globe.
