International Observe the Moon Night, on September 22, is an annual event is inspired by NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter's mission to scout the moon for safe and compelling landing sites.  LRO is helping to identify sites close to potential resources with high scientific value, favorable terrain and the environment necessary for safe future robotic and human lunar missions.

The moon takes about 29 days to go around the Earth once, and it also takes the moon about 29 days to spin once on its axis. This causes the same side of the moon to always face the Earth. People on Earth can see the moon's far side only from spacecraft. As the moon orbits Earth, the portion visibly illuminated changes.

Viewers can join astronomers around the world at lunar observing events and observe the seven-day-old moon on the 22^nd. This is a night when many of the most familiar lunar features are visible, including the landing sites of some of the Apollo lunar missions.  You can hold your own Observe the Moon event. And you don't need a telescope as many features are visible with the unaided eye.