It's the Oscars next week and you are invited to attend a star-studded evening in the West End just don't buy a new dress or tux - best wrap up warm.

For the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, Professor John Brown is hosting a ticketed evening of star gazing in the Botanic Gardens in Glasgow at 7.30pm on Thursday 22 February.

'Myself, other academics and representatives from very strong local amateur astronomy groups are looking forward to welcoming interested members of the public to this event in the park,' said Professor John Brown.

'We will be delivering some short introductory talks before going outside where there will be an ample number of telescopes for all to use and plenty to see in the night sky including lunar mountains and craters, planets, stars and nebulae and man-made satellites.'

Professor Brown is Glasgow University's Regius Professor of Astronomy and only the 10th ever Astronomer Royal for Scotland.

In the event of adverse weather conditions reducing night sky visibility, there will be a rare chance to participate in an open question and answer session with Professor Brown and his team in the Gardens' Hopkirk Building. Entry is via the main gates of the Botanic Gardens on Great Western Road.

Places are limited to 50 for this event so it is essential to book in advance. Tickets, £4 for adults and £2 for children, are available from the main Gardens Office or by calling 0141 334 2422.

Martin Shannon (m.shannon@admin.gla.ac.uk)

First published: 13 February 2007