Discover the Night Sky: BepiColombo Prepares to Enter Orbit Around Mercury

Join me for an evening under the dome at the Melbourne Planetarium for Discover the Night Sky — a monthly astronomy night for adults, hosted by Museums Victoria's astronomer Dr Tanya Hill.

This month's focus is BepiColombo, the joint European–Japanese mission that has spent years looping through the inner solar system and is now closing in on Mercury, with orbit insertion expected later in 2026. It's a great moment to hear about the mission just before it arrives. As always, there's a look at what's currently in the night sky, and a Q&A with the astronomer.

We'll meet outside the Planetarium gates at 6:00pm, head in together to scan tickets around 6:10pm, and the show runs 6:30pm–7:30pm. The meetup finishes when the show does.

This is a casual social meetup so we can go along together — it isn't run by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Scienceworks or Museums Victoria. Please book your own ticket directly with them; an RSVP here isn't a ticket and doesn't include entry.

Who this is for

• Anyone curious about space — no astronomy background needed, it's pitched at a general adult audience
• People who like a relaxed, low-key evening with a bit of substance to it
• Note this session is adults 18+ only, per Museums Victoria
• Coming solo? Very welcome — plenty of people do, and it's easy to chat before the show

Links

• Meetup start point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/qe1N6QTWgEWRuYJz7
• Event and ticket info: https://museumsvictoria.com.au/scienceworks/whats-on/discover-the-night-sky/

Timeline

• 6:00pm – Meet outside the Planetarium gates and say hi
• 6:10pm – Head inside and scan tickets
• 6:30pm – Show starts
• 7:30pm – Show ends and the meetup finishes

Tickets / cost

• Museums Victoria currently lists tickets at $35 adult, $33 concession/senior, $30 members
• Booking in advance is required — tickets are sold through Museums Victoria, not through Meetup
• These nights can sell out, so book early rather than turning up on the night
• Please double-check current pricing and availability on the event page before booking

Transport

• Scienceworks is at 2 Booker Street, Spotswood — a short walk from Spotswood station on the Williamstown line
• Trains from the city are straightforward; check PTV for the timetable, and give yourself a buffer so you're at the gates by 6:00pm

Bring

• Your ticket
• A jacket — it's an evening event and there's a bit of outdoor walking
• Any questions you'd like to put to the astronomer in the Q&A

Expect

• Pace: relaxed
• Vibe: curious, friendly, low-pressure
• Group style: casual social group, easy to join in or just enjoy the show

Important notes

• Please book your own ticket directly with Museums Victoria. A Meetup RSVP is not a ticket and doesn't guarantee entry.
• This is an independent social meetup — it isn't organised by, affiliated with, or endorsed by Scienceworks or Museums Victoria.
• The show starts at 6:30pm and late arrivals may not be able to get in, so please aim to be there by 6:00pm.
• Session details, pricing and content are set by the venue and can change — the event page is the source of truth.
• Please follow all venue rules and staff instructions, and look after your own safety and belongings on the night.
• If your plans change, please update your RSVP so numbers stay clear.