The Museum of the History of Science in Oxford has opened Moonscope, a special exhibition of lunar images by two artists from the 18th and 21st centuries with a passion for representing the moon.

The images by famous artist and Royal Academician John Russell (1745-1806) come from the museum's collection of lunar artworks.

Russell's enthusiasm as an astronomer led him to develop a huge portfolio of artworks in an attempt to make an accurate record of the moon's surface.

These records will hang alongside spectacular watercolour images of the moon by Oxfordshire painter Rebecca Hind.

Showing Russell's spectacular lunar depictions alongside Hind's will change the viewer's perception of his works.

Among the scientific records are the Selenographia - or moon globe - and the detailed 5ft lunar pastel, are fascinating in the context of the history of astronomy, but they are also works of art, and the moonscope exhibition will highlight this element of Russell's lunar works.

The Museum of the History of Science has a full programme of special events, talks and activities for people of all ages to accompany the exhibition, including Blue Moon day on June 30, observing and drawing the moon on July 23.

The exhibition runs until September and admission to the museum in Broad Street is free. For details visit the www.mhs.ox.ac.uk website.