WITH a working observatory right on their doorstep, Farnborough School in Clifton is making full use of its sky gazing neighbours.

The telescope at Nottingham Trent University's Clifton Campus is used by professors regularly and the school's science club got an insight into its workings last week.

It was a exhilarating opportunity for Farnborough's youngsters.

Lewis Adkin, 13, from Newark, has been part of the school's science club for two years.

"It was a cloudy day, which was unfortunate, but it was still amazing to use a piece of equipment that can see so far away when it is so tiny," he said.

"We still looked at pictures which show what the observatory has seen before.

"We saw a flare that was coming off the sun and it was three times the size of Jupiter."

Trainee teacher Robert Francis said: "This visit shows our pupils that there is a working laboratory on their doorstep and shows what you can aspire to in science.

"It helps to understand how science works outside of the school and in the working world."

The university has been welcoming schools regularly this year to commemorate this year's astronomical anniversaries.

Italian physicist, mathematician and philosopher Galileo Galilei is seen as one of the founding fathers of astronomy.

He helped establish theories such as the world revolving around the sun – Copernicanism – rather than it being motionless at the centre of the universe.

Neil Armstrong was the first man to set foot on the moon on July 20, 1969.

Creative and artistic flair have also been employed at Nottingham Trent University to appeal more broadly to youngsters about space.

Children explored the science and wonder of the universe as part of a research-led production to coincide with National Science and Engineering Week in March.

Cosmos – a collaboration between Nottingham Trent University and Dragon Breath Theatre – used storytelling and dance to introduce youngsters to some of the biggest scientific questions.

Peter Rumney, senior lecturer in theatre design at the university and joint artistic director of Dragon Breath Theatre, said: "The children learn about the structure of our solar system, including distances and relations of size, as well as the life and death cycle of a star."

It is not just school pupils who are being offered the chance to explore the universe. Members of the public who want to participate in the International Year of Astronomy 2009 can hear professional astronomers discuss their research.

Events are being organised by the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Nottingham and the public are invited to attend a series of monthly lectures for the rest of the year.

In the autumn when the sun sets earlier, there will be chance to view the moon and Jupiter and other objects in the night sky with the small telescopes and binoculars located on campus.

The first lecture earlier this month invited the audience to take a journey through space.

Dr Sebastien Foucaud introduced astronomers throughout time – from the ancient Greeks to the era of space conquests – and also explained the universe's 13 billion-year-old history. The talks, presented by members of the Astronomy Department, will feature a lecture by a different scientist from the University of Nottingham each month.

Dr Amanda Bauer, who has organised the lectures, said: "These lectures provide an excellent opportunity for the public to hear professional astronomers describe exciting new discoveries, reveal some lingering mysteries and open our eyes to the vast universe that surrounds us all."

A website – www.nottsiya2009.pbworks.com/ – has been developed for the public to keep track of University of Nottingham events linked to the International Year of Astronomy 2009.

For more information on Nottingham Trent University's lecture series and observatory, visit www.ntu.ac.uk