The Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society is holding a public open evening at its Coxmoor Road observatory in Sutton on Saturday, 10th December.

Visitors can view the night sky through its main 24-inch telescope, housed in its observatory dome, and look at other deep-sky objects through smaller portable telescopes on the society’s external telescope pad.

Members will guide people around the night sky, pointing out the different stars and constellations.

There will be themed talks throughout the evening, a chance to “listen to space” through radio astronomy equipment, and a good chance to spot a meteor from the Geminid Meteor Shower, which is reaching its peak activity (possibly 120 meteors every hour).

Activities for children will include a quiz and a chance to “make a crater”.

If the weather is cloudy, the event will still go ahead. Gates open at 6.45pm. Admission is £5 for over-16s, £1 for under-16s who must be accompanied by an adult.

Go to www.sherwood-observatory.org.uk for details of the event, group visits and night-school courses or call 01623 552276.