Sleep under the stars at astronomy festival

The famous astronomer plotted lunar landscapes at the centre in the 1960s, before the first man landed on the moon.

He still presents the long-running BBC-TV programme, The Sky at Night, and lives near Chichester.

Jo Harris, operations manager, said: 'We hope Patrick will come along but it is difficult for him.

'He knows we are having the festival and he usually sends signed books as raffle prizes.'

Chris Lintott, from the BBC's Sky at Night, will be filming a TV programme during the festival.

He will also give a special talk on astronomy and sign books.

Other speakers over the weekend include Anton Vamplew, a former Blue Peter astronomer.

Jo Harris said the busy festival event was for everyone, not just would-be scientists.

She added: 'The Sky at Night will hold informal discussions, workshops and book signings.

'We hope in the course of the weekend to offer something for everybody.'

Visitors at the event will see the sky through historic telescopes, weather permitting.

Special tours of the Space Geodesy Facility will also let crowds see scientists tracking satellite movements by laser.

Families will enjoy special activities, building rockets and watching rocket demonstrations.

People are also invited to camp under the stars for the festival which runs from September 7 to 9.

For further details visit www.the-observatory.org or call 01323 832731.