Galaxy formation and the origins of the various morphological types of galaxies remain outstanding problems in astrophysics. Detailed study of the stellar populations in Local Group galaxies, using resolved stars, should be possible with lunar‐based, large‐aperture telescopes. This will greatly enhance our understanding of these galaxies. I will also discuss the importance of imaging with high spatial resolution in the UV, and of UV spectroscopy, for the analysis of the stellar populations in elliptical galaxies, and for star formation in environments of very low gas density. The improved wavelength coverage in the near IR (a few microns) and the lower background possible from the moon will allow detailed imaging of the (older?) component of high redshift galaxies that dominates the locally well‐studied rest‐frame optical.