Shorter days offer longer evenings to gaze at the celestial skies above.

On Saturday, Nov. 5, the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources' Town Creek Indian Mound will host its monthly Astronomy Night, which offers an opportunity to view Jupiter and its four largest moons, called the Galilean satellites.

Participants will also get an up-close view of Earth's satellite, otherwise known as the moon. With the naked eye, the surface of the moon appears somewhat smooth, but through the eye of a telescope, it is quite different.

A closer look at the gas giant Jupiter will reveal darker stripes across its surface, called belts. These belts are actually bands of ammonia clouds swirling along the upper atmosphere of the planet.

"It's an opportunity to view Jupiter's moons, and our moon, all in the same evening" says Rich Thompson, site manager.

Interested stargazers are encouraged to dress for the weather and may also bring binoculars and telescopes.

"If you do not have a telescope, the staff will have the site scope on hand to share," says Thompson.

Those interested in attending should register in advance. Astronomy Night is free and open to the public, but donations are welcome.

Contact the site at (910) 439-6802 or at towncreek@ncdcr.gov to register.

The historic site is located at 509 Town Creek Mound Road, Mount Gilead. For more information, visit www.towncreekindianmound.com.