Bringing the Moon Closer: How GibNebula Used Seestar Telescopes at a Community Astronomy Night in Gibraltar

A community astronomy event in Gibraltar brought around 40 people together to explore the Moon, Saturn, and deep-sky objects, with Seestar smart telescopes helping make astronomy more accessible to first-time observers.

On October 24, 2026, GibNebula, a Gibraltar astronomy outreach project, hosted its first Moon Party at Hassan Centenary Terraces. The public event welcomed residents of all ages for an evening of lunar observing, planetary viewing, and community fundraising in support of the GBC Open Day charity appeal.

With the Moon 96% illuminated and Saturn shining nearby, the evening offered an excellent opportunity for people to experience the night sky together. Around 40 people attended, more than half of them children aged 6–16. For many young visitors, it was their first time observing the Moon through a telescope.

Making Astronomy More Accessible with Seestar Smart Telescopes

Seestar telescopes played an important role in helping visitors explore the night sky throughout the evening.

GibNebula used the Seestar S30 Pro for lunar observing and the Seestar S50 Pro to capture the Double Cluster in Perseus. A Celestron EdgeHD 8 telescope was also set up for visual observation of both the Moon and Saturn.

While visitors waited for their turn at the eyepiece, they could watch the Moon live on an iPad connected to the Seestar. This gave more people the opportunity to see lunar details and observe how a smart telescope builds an astronomical image.

By combining automated tracking, image capture, and app-based viewing, Seestar made it easier for attendees to engage with astronomy without needing extensive technical knowledge. Older attendees were particularly impressed by the Seestar line-up and what it could achieve, with several saying they plan to buy the S50 Pro or S30 Pro in the near future.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Stargazers

One of the most memorable aspects of the event was the enthusiasm of the younger participants.

Every child received an “Official Moon Observer” certificate to celebrate their participation. Jordan Montado, founder of GibNebula, shared the story of one child who could barely contain his excitement after seeing the Moon and Saturn through a telescope for the first time, and who was amazed by the Double Cluster captured with the Seestar S50 Pro.

“For lots of the kids, it was their first look at the Moon and Saturn through a telescope. Most had never seen a deep-sky object or a star cluster before, and didn’t know they even existed. Being able to teach them about what’s out there, and watching their faces light up, is why we do these nights for free. The parents and grandparents seem to enjoy them just as much as the younger generation!” said Jordan Montado of GibNebula.

Experiences like these demonstrate how accessible astronomy equipment can help turn curiosity about space into a memorable, hands-on learning experience.

Astronomy Outreach with a Community Impact

Beyond observing the night sky, the Moon Party also supported a local charitable cause. The event raised just over £150 for the GBC Open Day charity appeal, according to the organizers’ public event recap.

The event brought together families, astronomy enthusiasts, and local residents around a shared interest in space, demonstrating how community astronomy activities can combine education, public engagement, and fundraising.

GibNebula plans to continue these efforts with another public Moon Party on November 21, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at Commonwealth Park, giving more residents the opportunity to experience the night sky together. The event is free and open to all ages; follow @gibnebula on Instagram for details.

Supporting More People in Exploring the Universe

From viewing lunar craters to exploring deep-sky objects, the GibNebula Moon Party showed how Seestar smart telescopes can complement traditional telescopes at public astronomy events.

By making astronomical imaging easier to access and share, Seestar helps event organizers create more inclusive observing experiences for beginners, families, and younger audiences.

We are grateful to Jordan and the GibNebula community for including Seestar in this event and for inspiring more people in Gibraltar to look up and discover the universe.

Learn more about Seestar smart telescopes:

Explore the Seestar S30 Pro and Seestar S50 Pro to discover a more accessible way to experience astronomy and astrophotography.

About GibNebula: GibNebula is Gibraltar’s local astronomy outreach project, run by astrophotographer Jordan Montado. It hosts free public Moon nights, writes the monthly “Looking Up” night-sky column in the Gibraltar Chronicle, and is preparing for the total solar eclipse over Gibraltar on August 2, 2027. Visit gibnebula.gi to learn more, or follow GibNebula on Instagram at @gibnebula.

Photos: Jordan Montado / GibNebula