The 50th anniversary of NASA's successful Apollo 11 mission to the moon will be commemorated at the Tauranga Astronomical Society tomorrow.

The observatory will be opening at the earlier time of 6pm, weather permitting, so that younger families can view Jupiter and Saturn before the main meeting which starts at 7.30pm.

'Fifty years ago, NASA's Apollo 11 mission changed our world and ideas of what is possible by successfully landing humans on the surface of the moon, and bringing them home safely⁠, for the first time in history,” says club member Dave Greg.

On Friday July 20, Dave noted the Google Doodle for the day.

'Today's video Doodle celebrates this moment of human achievement by taking us through the journey to the moon and back, narrated by someone with firsthand knowledge of the epic event: former astronaut and Apollo 11 command module pilot Michael Collins.”

On July 20 1969, Apollo 11's Eagle module landed at Tranquility Base. Hours later, at 21.56 CT (02.56 GMT), Apollo 11 commander Neil Armstrong made history by becoming the first person to walk on the Moon.

As the spacecraft landed, Neil said 'Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.”

Mission control's capsule communicator Charlie Duke in Houston responded 'Roger, Tranquility. We copy you on the ground. You got a bunch of guys about to turn blue. We're breathing again."

Hours later, as Neil stepped on to the Moon's surface, he uttered the historic words: 'That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

The Moon. Photo: Dave Greg.

Neil Armstrong was joined on the mission by his crewmates Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. All three were born in 1930. Aldrin and Collins are still alive, but Armstrong died in 2012 at the age of 82.

Originally inspired by the US's Cold War rivalry with the Soviet Union, the mission is now remembered as an iconic moment for stargazers all over the world, including Tauranga Astronomical Society members.

'As part of our commemorations of 50 years since the first manned Moon landing, Tuesday night's main program will be about the technology that landed men on the moon on Apollo 11 on July 201969, plus further associated and commemorative events,” says Dave.

'The main meeting will commence as usual at 7:30pm.

'Weather permitting, we will be opening at the earlier time of 6pm to allow for family viewing of Jupiter and Saturn through our various telescopes. Saturn is just past its closest distance to the Earth providing great views of its spectacular rings. Jupiter with its cloud belts and four main Galilean moons will also be visible.

'This will be a great opportunity for young families to come along and see the planets through the telescopes before the main meeting starts at 7.30pm.

'The Moon will not be visible during the evening as it will rise after 11pm.”

Saturn. Photo: George Gomez.

Tauranga Astronomical Society holds their meetings in the Otumoetai Sports and Recreation Club building at Fergusson Park, Matua, at 7.30pm on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month. The building also houses the observatory. Presentations are given on current astronomical topics. All those interested in astronomy in the Bay of Plenty region are invited to attend.

To visit the Tauranga Observatory for Tuesday evening's event is $5 for adults who are not members of the Tauranga Astronomical Society and children are free.

The Tauranga Astronomical Society have a Facebook page which has regular updates here