WOULD-BE stargazers are being given the opportunity to use Oxford University equipment normally reser-ved for research to look up at the universe.

At the university’s physics department, one can glimpse the heavens through the Philip Wetton Telescope – which has a lens 16in in diameter.

University physics access officer Lorna Stevenson said: “It offers the finest view of the night sky in Oxford. This is pretty much a unique opportunity.”

The telescope is located eight floors up in an observatory atop the Denys Wilkinson Building in Keble Road.

Last night, 40 people looked at objects millions of miles away.

Tomorrow – Halloween – a further 40 stargazers are being given the same chance.

The events form part of ‘Autumn Moonwatch’, an International Year of Astronomy event which urges people to take a closer look at our closest celestial neighbours.

The last week in October is a particularly good time to look at the moon because it is high in the sky and free from interference from the atmosphere. It is also visible for longer than usual.

Miss Stevenson said: “The amount of things you can see on the moon is really inspirational.

“It makes you take a step back and consider your place in the universe. It’s something that retains a magical appeal whether you are young or old.”

As well as going into the dome, people are being given the chance to meet some of the university’s astrophysicists, who will be giving talks on various subjects.

Among them will be graduate student Sarah Blake, an expert in the field of supernovae, stars which suddenly become much brighter as they catastrophically explode.

She said: “It is very exciting because it is always great to give the public an opportunity to see what we do.

“Astrophysics is the sort of subject not many people really have a firm grasp of, it always sounds a bit sci-fi, so it is really nice to bring it to people in a way they can relate to.

“It is also always exciting to open these things up to children because if you can harness that enthusiasm in young people, hopefully you can encourage them to be the astrophysicists of the future.”

There are still places for tomorrow’s two sessions, starting at 7.30pm and 8.30pm.

It is also planned for further public stargazing events to be held in the coming months. To book a place or find out more email enquiries@physics.ox.ac.uk