Adler Planetarium hosts watch party for Artemis II liftoff

Chicagoans celebrate Artemis II launch at Adler Planetarium

Chicagoans celebrate the successful launch of Artemis II to the moon at the Adler Planetarium on Wednesday. 

CHICAGO - A new era of space exploration began Wednesday as NASA's Artemis II successfully launched into space — marking the first time in more than 50 years that humanity is returning to the moon. 

The unforgettable moment drew hundreds of visitors to the Adler Planetarium for a front-row seat to history.

What we know:

To mark the historic moment, the Adler Planetarium hosted a standing-room-only viewing party.

During liftoff, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause as Artemis II left Earth's atmosphere. 

The mission to deep space is the first of its kind in decades. 

"The moon has not been a huge priority for NASA for a long time. So, the last time we sent people to the vicinity of the moon was the Apollo 17 mission in December of 1972. That was the last time humanity walked on the moon," explained Michelle Nichols, senior director of public programs at the Adler Planetarium. "The goal now is to send people back to the surface of the moon to stay."

This marks the first crewed mission in NASA's Artemis space program, with additional missions planned in the coming years. 

"It's going to go up, it's going to go around the Earth, it's going to travel out to the moon — that will take about four days. It will loop around the moon, then the moon's gravity is going to bend the path of the spacecraft back and send it toward Earth," Nichols said.

The spacecraft is expected to return to Earth about four days later, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.

During the launch, Nichols led the audience in a roar of applause as the rocket blasted off into space. 

"Oh my God, it actually launched!" Nichols said. "Space flight is so difficult, it's so complex, anything could have happened to stop the count, and they got it off the ground."

Adler Planetarium holds Artemis II launch party

This is a live look at the Kennedy Space Center where the Artemis II mission is getting ready for take off.  This will be humanity's first lunar trip in more than half a century.   The crew of astronauts, three Americans and one Canadian, are set to fly around the moon without stopping or even orbiting-- before heading straight back for a Pacific splashdown.

What they're saying:

For many in the crowd, the moment was moving. 

"To see history, to see astronauts going up there, we've been following their journey, the first woman, an African American man, it's just really cool and to be here was just really special," said Daphne Jackson, who attended the event with her children. 

Parents and kids alike looked on in awe — with many experiencing their first-ever rocket launch.

"It was awesome," said Vivian. 

"The launch was pretty crazy, I've never seen it before and when the top came out, my mind was genuinely blown," Dwayne Jackson added. 

"Wow!" said Calvin Berney. 

During the watch party, experts provided live narration as the rocket ascended through Earth’s atmosphere.

They answered questions from curious visitors and space enthusiasts alike, helping break down the science behind the mission in real time.

Nichols also shared that several Chicagoans were among those working in mission control during Wednesday's launch. 

What's next:

The astronauts are expected to return to Earth in about 10 days. 

You can track the progress of the Artemis II mission throughout its journey on NASA's website.