VISITORS to the Museum Gardens, in York, will be invited to take a journey through space tomorrow night.

Resident astronomer Martin Lunn is hosting an open evening at the old observatory from 6pm, which will include an exploration of the night sky through the 4.5in refractor telescope, built by local man Thomas Cooke.

The name may remind many of holidays abroad, but stargazers who join the astronomy evenings will be concentrating on Jupiter and Saturn.

"People have been observing the heavens in the Museum Gardens ever since the York Philosophical Society built the observatory in 1832," said Mr Lunn.

"The evening will be a fascinating opportunity to continue the tradition."

Further astronomy even-ings are planned on Tuesday, February 4, and Tuesday, February 18.

More details are available by telephoning the museum on (01904) 551805.