Back to the Moon: Artemis II & the New Space Age
Saturday 07 February 2026 | 07:00 PM
Lower Beechmont
Discover humanity’s return to the Moon, what comes next in space exploration, then look to the night sky with real telescopes and discover the wonders above.
From Apollo to Artemis, the Moon calls again.
Humanity is preparing to return to the Moon for the first time in over half a century, and this mission marks the beginning of a bold new era of space exploration.
Join Gold Coast Astronomy for our first Public Astronomy Night of 2026, as we explore NASA’s Artemis II mission, the technologies driving the new space age, and how returning to the Moon is shaping humanity’s future beyond Earth.
From the legacy of Apollo to modern lunar missions, this evening will also dive into what comes next across the global space community, including upcoming launches, international lunar programs, and major breakthroughs led by other nations and private space companies. As space exploration rapidly expands beyond government agencies alone, we’ll explore how collaboration, competition, and innovation are reshaping humanity’s path back to the Moon, and onward to Mars and deep space.
The night will include a guided tour and telescope viewing of all the visible wonders the Southern Celestial Hemisphere has to offer this February. From the Moon itself to planets, star clusters, nebulae, and constellations, guests will experience the night sky as it unfolds above us.
Our Public Astronomy Night events explore a specific topic and encourage interactive discussions around the everyday astronomical events we often take for granted, perfect for curious minds of all ages, from beginners to seasoned skywatchers.
Complimentary tea, coffee, and hot chocolate will be provided throughout the night to keep you warm and comfortable under the stars.
Gold Coast Astronomy also offers you the ability to relive your experience with:
- a take-home star chart of the night
- a summary of key visible celestial objects
- an opportunity to capture your very own photos through one of our telescopes using your mobile phone.
We look forward to welcoming you and embarking on an educational and memorable night exploring our Galaxy and humanity’s future beyond it...
Program
- 7:00pm – Arrival
- 7:30pm – Back to the Moon: Artemis II & the New Space Age Talk
- 8:00pm – Guided Tour of February’s Night Sky
- 8:30pm – General Telescope Viewing and Q&A
- 9:00pm – Night Concludes
Visit our website for ticket pricing information.
To offer value for money and a memorable stargazing experience, we closely monitor sky conditions. This can lead to the rescheduling of our events. Therefore, we will confirm weather conditions and the event status 2 hours before commencing via our socials.
Getting there
Consider using public transport or active travel. Plan your trip with Translink's journey planner.
Parking may be limited. For metered parking, use the EasyPark app to start, end, and extend your parking direct from your phone to avoid fines. For more information visit City of Gold Coast's Parking page.