Abilene Wide Open: The Moon at night, observed big and bright

Saturday evening was International Observe the Moon Night, but really the moon had been putting on a stellar show all week long.

Its evening crescent displays fired the imagination, whether when exiting a grocery store, catching it above a rural football game or training a telescope on it at Abilene State Park.

The Big Country Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists performed that last part, hosting a star party Saturday with several telescopes at the state park in the meadow across from the swimming pool.

The evening was perfect for star and moon gazing, with a cool breeze chilling those still unused to the idea of summer ending. Cooper High School science teacher Jessi Spitler trained her telescope on such luminaries as Jupiter and its moons, its neighbor Saturn, and even the Andromeda Galaxy.

The group holds star parties monthly at the state park. Visit their Facebook page for the next one later this month.