Joseph Firkins had an out of this world experience when he got to grips with some moon rock.

The 14-year-old was able to handle moon rocks and meteorites brought to North Oxfordshire Academy, Banbury, last week.

It was a special moment for the youngster as his great grandfather, Floyd Falkonberry, was NASA’s chief safety officer.

Joseph is in the school’s GCSE astronomy group, whose course will finish with a visit to Greenwich Observatory, London. Joseph said: “I was fascinated by the collection.”