International Observe the Moon Night - Accademia delle Stelle

The Moon takes center stage in Rome

One night a year, the Moon becomes the true queen of the Roman sky. The International Observe the Moon Night is the event where the Accademia delle Stelle invites everyone, from experts to the simply curious, to stop for a few minutes, look up, and observe our natural satellite through the association's telescopes. It is a moment that is both simple and powerful: the Moon, so familiar yet often overlooked, reveals craters, seas, and mountain ranges that remain invisible to the naked eye.

A global event promoted by NASA

The International Observe the Moon Night is not an isolated initiative; it is a global event promoted by NASA, involving thousands of observatories, planetariums, and amateur astronomy groups worldwide during the same weekend. For over fifteen years, the Accademia delle Stelle has brought this appointment to Rome, making it one of the most popular Italian stops. The goal is to bring the general public closer to astronomy in a free and informal way, without barriers or the need for prior knowledge.

Location: EUR and the steps of Santi Pietro e Paolo

The observation takes place in the EUR district, in the Municipality of Rome, on the steps of the Santi Pietro e Paolo church, atop the scenic staircase overlooking the neighborhood. It is the same venue where the Accademia delle Stelle hosts its public astronomy courses: a spacious, open area that is easy to reach and sufficiently far from the harsh city lights of the center to enjoy the sky. The monumental setting of EUR makes the evening evocative even for those who arrive without any prior knowledge of stars and planets.

What to observe

The focus of the evening is naturally the Moon, observed during its best phase to appreciate the relief along the terminator. However, the association's telescopes are also pointed toward other celestial highlights:

• Saturn with its famous rings, often the true showstopper of the evening;
• planets and celestial bodies visible during the event period;
• a guided tour of the sky with the naked eye to learn how to recognize constellations and major stars.

The amateur astronomers of the Accademia delle Stelle are available to answer questions and offer genuine astronomical advice to those approaching a telescope for the first time.

Free, no reservation, for everyone

One of the event's strengths is that it is completely free: admission is open and no reservation is needed; simply show up at the start time. The atmosphere is informal and suitable for all ages, from children to enthusiasts. Those who own a telescope are also welcome to bring it and share it with other participants by contacting the organization via email in advance to coordinate.

The Accademia delle Stelle

The Accademia delle Stelle is a Roman association dedicated to the popularization of astronomy through courses, observation nights, and events aimed at the general public. By bringing the International Observe the Moon Night to the heart of the Metropolitan City of Rome, in the Lazio region, the association helps make this appointment one of the most anticipated popular astronomy events in the capital.