Constellation-inspired canapes at Sydney Observatory

Drag and astrophysics are unlikely couples but the two are coming together for one night at Sydney Observatory as part of Sydney Mardi Gras, complete with galaxy-inspired game terrine.

On Friday, February 20, chef Claire de Lune (Claire's Kitchen) will host a night of stargazing, cocktails, and astronomy talk in the observatory gardens. Claire de Lune is the stage persona of French-born Marc Kuzma, who has won three Drag Industry Variety Awards including entertainer of the year.

Kuzma says he was chosen to helm the event because of his lunar stage name.

"I am Claire de Lune," he says. "So what better person to host a night of star watching under the moon?"

Canapes have been created to represent different constellations like Capricorn, Pisces, Cancer and Libra.

"To give you an idea," Kuzma says. "Lepus is the rabbit in the sky so we're going to serve a game-and-rabbit terrine with grape chutney."

A dessert will be themed around The Milky Way.

There will also be a question-and-answer session hosted by de Lune with Dr Lisa Harvey Smith, researcher, author, and project scientist for Australia's largest telescope.

"I will have a million questions to ask [Lisa] and I'm sure all our guests will too," Kuzma says.

Guests will finish the night by exploring the stars with observatory's telescopes.

"The thing I have in common with Lisa is that we're both star watchers," Kuzma says. "But my star-watching usually involves The Logies red carpet!"

Stargayzing, February 20, 7-10pm, Sydney Observatory, 1003 Upper Fort Street, Millers Point, buy tickets here.