Lunar landing commemorative events

Clark Planetarium will host a series of film screenings and a special presentation Monday on the importance of space exploration. At noon, 2:45 and 6 p.m., the film "Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D" will play in the ATK IMAX Theatre. This special screening of the film tells the story of the 12 astronauts who walked on the moon from 1969 to 1972.

At 7 p.m., Mike Murray, Clark Planetarium's programs manager, will host a presentation in the Hansen Dome Theatre on the Apollo expeditions to the moon and the future of lunar exploration. Panoramic views from the Apollo landing sites and detailed views from lunar orbit will be shown. This discussion will also examine the implications and benefits from past exploration, as well as give insight into what the future holds for science and industry on the moon.

The Salt Lake Astronomical Society will hold a special star party Monday from dusk to 11 p.m. at Stansbury Park Observatory Complex to commemorate the first landing of humans on the moon. From Salt Lake City, take I-80 West and exit at the Tooele/Grantsville exit. Continue south until the road forks to Grantsville. Take the right fork and go about one mile to the west entrance of Stansbury Park. Turn in and take the first right to the parking lot. The observatory is west of the parking area just past the skateboard park.

The Great Space Exhibition at The Gateway on Monday, noon to 8 p.m., and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., will feature various space-related exhibits, activities and programs. KSL Television will set up two large-screen TVs on Rio Grande Street near the fountain at 8:30 p.m. Monday to show NASA footage of the first Apollo 11 moonwalk.