The Griffith Observatory, which reopened earlier this month after a two-week closure for visitor access and safety improvements,  will host a celebration of the moon on May 18, the 50th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 10. The day-long celebration will include a public star party from 2-9:45 p.m. on the lawn and a remembrance of the Apollo 10 mission by All Space Considered at 6 p.m. in the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon presentation theater.

On May 18, the Griffith Observatory will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 10 mission, which made the moon landing possible. (photo courtesy of the Griffith Observatory)

The Apollo 10 mission, launched on May 18, 1969, took astronauts Tom Stafford, John Young and Gene Cernan to within nine miles of the lunar surface. The astronauts did not land, but they tested critical systems that made the historic moon landing of Apollo 11 possible two months later. Griffith Observatory staff will describe the mission and its many historic firsts.

When the full moon rises at 7:53 p.m., Griffith Observatory staff will give sunset and moonrise presentations on the Sunset Terrace and lawn.

All events are free and open to the public. All Space Considered Remembers Apollo 10 will also be streamed live at youtube.com/user/griffithobservatory.

Griffith Observatory is located at 2800 East Observatory Road. For information, visit griffithobservatory.org.