You are invited to explore our nearest neighbor in the night sky with 4-H, family and friends. Learn about the phases of the moon, observing features on its surface and how our eyes adapt to the dark. The 4-H Moonlight Challenge is a self-guided 4-H astronomy project for anyone interested in learning more about the Moon. This project can be done by 4-H individuals, families & friends or 4-H clubs. It involves observing the phases of the Moon, planning a backyard skygazing night to observe the moon and night sky, and keeping track of your observations in an Astrojournal. Individuals who complete the challenge will receive a 4-H Moonlight Challenge Patch.
You do not have to enroll in 4-H to register for this Challenge.
Completing the Challenge
Interested individuals need to register by clicking the link on this page. You will receive a Moonlight Challenge Field Kit with instructions for completing the challenge. The kit contains your Moonlight Challenge Field Guide which includes several tasks, or missions, each worth points. Once you complete enough missions to earn 600 points, you will need to email a picture of your completed mission checklist and a page from your astrojournal to receive your Moonlight Challenge patch. Some of the missions observing the phases of the moon, making a model of the different moon phases and making an astronomer’s flashlight. You can still identify new constellations in the night sky and make sure to record your observations in your astrojournal.
Your Moonlight Challenge Field Kit includes:
- A Moonlight Challenge Field Guide
- Colored pieces of paper for the Night Eyes challenge
- Red cellophane for making and astronomers flashlight (you will need to provide your own flashlight)
- An astronomer’s journal (AKA astrojournal)
If you need an accommodation to participate in our programming, please contact Claes Thelemarck, claes.thelemarck@unh.edu or 603-447-3834, prior to the event. Given ample time, we will make any reasonable effort to meet your needs, including language access services if requested, which will be provided free of charge.
If you would like to enroll in the NH 4-H Program as a new member and then register for an event you can do so by visiting 4h.zsuite.org.
Help Guide: Creating a New Household Account in ZSuite
Help Guide: How to enroll in 4-H with ZSuite
Help Guide: How to register a 4-H Member for an event in ZSuite
