Libraries in Mt. Pleasant and Latrobe will offer audiovisual presentations this month to celebrate the 50th anniversary of humans first stepping foot on the moon.
The program at Mt. Pleasant Library, to be held 4 p.m. July 15, will feature a live web cast reliving the historic Apollo 11 mission that resulted in two astronauts touching down on the moon on July 20, 1969.
The web cast is made available through the American Museum of Natural History and the STAR Library Network’s NASA@My Library program. The program supports STEM (science, engineering, technology and math)-related activities at participating libraries.
Segments of the hour-long web cast depict “The Challenge and Launch,” “The Journey and Descent” and “The Landing and One Giant Leap…”
Registration is required by calling 724-547-3850 or by visiting the Mt. Pleasant Public Library front desk at 120 S. Church St.
A separate documentary about the moon landing will be screened from 6-7 p.m. July 18 at Adams Memorial Library, 1112 Ligonier St., Latrobe. The program is free, but registration is required by calling the library at 724-539-1972.
Weather permitting, the library plans to host a moon viewing party that evening which will allow attendees to get a closer look at the lunar surface through provided telescopes. Nearby street lamps make the area immediately outside the library unsuitable for use of the telescopes, so officials are searching for an alternate “dark sky” location for the party, which will be announced closer to the event date.
A related topic, “Aviation Now and The Future of Space,” is being explored in a series of ongoing presentations at libraries in Westmoreland County.
The presentations, which look at the history of air and space travel and new developments in those fields, are led by Robert Allison, an admissions representative for the Pittsburgh Aeronautics Institute.
Upcoming dates include Monday at the Greensburg Hempfield Area Library, July 11 at Rostraver Public Library, July 15 at Manor Public Library and July 22 at Mt. Pleasant Public Library.
