Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is located 18 miles (29 km) west of Arco, Idaho, on U.S. Highway 20/26/93. Site of the annual Craters of the Moon Star Party (hosted by the Idaho Falls Astronomical Society, www.ifastro.org), Craters of the Moon is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; however, snows can close the Scenic Loop Drive from November to April. Apollo astronauts trained at Craters of the Moon to get an idea of the topography and volcanic rocks they would encounter on the lunar surface. On a clear night you can look up at the real craters of the moon while its reflected light shines down upon the Craters of the Moon landscape beneath your feet.
Deborah Byrd
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About the Author:
Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. In 2020, she won the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society, the largest organization of professional astronomers in North America. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.