A COLLEGE is expecting an out-of-this-world response after launching a unique astronomy course.

Accrington and Rossendale College is starting a GCSE astronomy evening class which will be the only one of its kind in the North West.

With all eyes focused on Mars at the moment, college bosses are expecting a flood of applications.

The course is being staged at night for obvious reasons, but when conditions are not good, the Internet will provide up-to-the-minute pictures beamed from space shuttles, the Hubble Space Telescope and projects like the Mars Pathfinder.

Students will study the earth, moon and sun, stars and galaxies and the solar system.

It is also establishing links with the University of Central Lancashire to enable students access to its state-of-the-art equipment.

A spokesman said: "The course is open to both enthusiasts and beginners and you don't have to have any specialist equipment - not even a telescope."

For further details should contact Ian Longley on 01254 389933 or Student Services 01254 354036.

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