If you only attend one science event this month, make it this one. The latest Nature debate, at Kings Place on May 11th, concerns the renewed interest in that big ball of rock a quarter of a million miles away.

Earth’s moon is once again the focus of international attention. Every country with a decent space programme – the USA, Russia, China, India, Japan, Europe – is planning robotic and manned missions to the moon. We could see a human return to that lonely outpost as early as 2015. But who will get there first? Should nations cooperate and share resources? What will they actually do when they get there? Is there even a point, other than prestige and one-upmanship?

The expert panel includes Kevin Fong, Chair, UK Space Biomedical Advisory Committee, Professor Martin Sweeting, CEO of Surrey Satellite Technology and Nature’s Oliver Morton (also author of ‘Mapping Mars’).

The event starts at 7pm, but you’ll find me propping up the excellent Kings Place bar from 6pm.