SCIENCE and a Powerpoint presentation, on the face of it, maketh not a great way to spend a Friday night. However, this was not any ordinary science and a Powerpoint presentation.

Astronomer and TV presenter Mark Thompson brought his show 'Stargazer' to the Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, in Altwood Road, on Friday night.

Taking on the rather ambitious objective to give a brief history of the universe and our solar system in two 45-minute halves, Thompson takes on his mission with gusto, enthusiasm and humour.

The 'People's Astronomer' augments his talk with demonstrations using everyday items including making a comet out of water, soil, ammonia, soy sauce and dry ice....well, maybe that last item not quite being so everyday.

The first half, detailing the characteristics of our solar system, flew by in 45-minutes of facts, stories and beautiful images of our sun and the planets of our solar system.

The second half was rather more complex, focusing on the history of the universe, our neighbouring galaxies and the lifetime of stars.

However, the trick Thompson performs is making complex processes and terms easily accessible and understandable - both for novices and interested, experience observers alike - while remaining entirely on the level of the audience.

Finding oneself actually understanding the Hubble constant and how we know the universe is expanding was testament to this skill.

When I was nine or ten, I had a poster on my bedroom wall which had all of the (then!) nine planets of our solar system on it, detailing how far away from the sun they were, their size, their number of moons and so on. With this, along with a small book I had bought for me on holiday one year, I was enthralled by the wonders and magisterial beauty of space.

Fast forward 15 years or so, the show last night reconnected me that fascination and enthusiasm about space of youth. I don't think I can pay a higher compliment about Thompson's show than that.

For upcoming shows at Norden Farm, go to http://bit.ly/ZqnVwG