STARGAZERS will be able to take a closer look at the night skies with the help of a York museum.

Starting next week astronomers are invited to view the starlit nights in free open evenings at York's own observatory.

The Yorkshire Museum observatory, in the Museum Gardens, houses a telescope, built in 1850 by York telescope maker Thomas Cooke. The observatory will be open to enthusiasts and novices alike.

Martin Lunn, the museum's curator of astronomy, said: "If the sky is clear, the telescope will be pointed towards the moon and the planet Mars, and there will also be opportunities to identify and learn the names of some of the brightest stars."

The open evenings will be held on the next three Tuesdays in the run-up to Christmas - November 25 and December 2 and 9 - from 6pm until 8pm.

Admission is free with no pre-booking required.

Astronomer Martin arranges regular events at the museum.

For more information, phone 01904 687687.

Updated: 10:57 Thursday, November 20, 2003