The public is invited to take a closer look at the harvest moon through Missouri University of Science and Technology Observatory’s 16-inch telescope on Monday, Sept. 12.

The observatory will open beginning at 8:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12. Clear skies are required for optimal viewing and session lengths will vary.

Visitors’ Night at the Observatory, is free to the public and no reservations or tickets are required. Every session is open-ended. Children are welcome at the observatory, but must be accompanied by an adult. All visitors must climb a small set of stairs in order to use the telescope for the viewing.

The harvest moon is the full moon seen closest to the autumnal equinox. On Sept. 12 the moon will be waxing gibbous, meaning it will be 79 percent visible from earth. Viewers will be able to see the shadows stretching over the craters and continuing into the vastness of space.

The Missouri S&T Observatory is located at 1550 N. Bishop Ave. (Highway 63 North), adjacent to the university’s Stonehenge replica, north of McNutt Hall and west of St. Patrick’s Lane.

For more information about this viewing, the observatory, or to have an email address added to a notification list for future events and weather cancellations, contact Ken Goss by email at ken.goss@mst.edu.