October 2004 - astronomy@lists.redbrick.dcu.ie

[Astronomy Ireland] First Eclipse Report
by Astronomy Ireland 28 Oct '04

28 Oct '04

Despite the dire weather forecasts my advice to "watch anyway" paid off, at least for some of you. If you watched continuously from 2am to 6am as I advised (checking every half hour really isn't enough in atrocious weather like last night) you would probably have glimpsed the eclipse from Ireland. I did (Dublin) and so did John Hoare in Kildare and Kevin Sheahan in Wicklow who sent in the first reports so far. John seemed to have the best of it. From Kildare town he had frequent glimpses of the Moon moving in to the Earth's shadow from 2:25am to 2:55am. He noted that the edge of the Earth's shadow was "sharply defined" and the area in shadow "was barely visible". Clouds parted again at 3:45am, during Totality. The eclipsed Moon was so dim he left the town for the Curragh racecourse where he had "repeated glimpses" until 4:30am when clouds and rain closed in. He reported some interesting lighting effects on the eclipsed Moon which will appear in our magazine report in due course and he estimated the Danjon rating as between 1 and 2 (see magazine for explanation). Kevin Sheahan in SW county Wicklow only had "a few glimpses of the umbra eating away at the Moon between 2:30am and 3:00am." Spurred on by all the TEXT messages from John Hoare reporting his sightings in Kildare I headed off in that direction near the end of Totality, having seen nothing from Dublin. Storm had abated and conditions were OK for driving. Near the M50 exit for Dunsink Observatory the clouds broke and I got glimpses of the Moon 10 minutes after Totality (around 5am) from outside the Observatory appropriately enough. The top of the Moon had emerged into sunlight and the cusps of the short arc were pointing down. I got one more brief glimpse and then a good view of the Moon at 6am when it was once again a Full Moon. Well worth the effort given the wait we'll have for the next one in March 2007. We got several other TEXT messages to the number we gave out in the last email but just to report cloud cover and rain. Thanks for those anyway. If anyone else got a glimpse of any part of the eclipse please email observe(a)astronomy.ie as soon as possible so we can compile a full report of the eclipse as seen from Ireland for our magazine. The eclipse was seen from half the planet remember and I'm sure the net is full of lovely photos. Here's one from regular contributors to our magazine from Austria: http://www.astrostudio.at/images/a/axkjgolr.jpg Quick plug for our next two major events: Leinster Nov. 8: "Photographing the Planets" We're bringing in Damian Peach from the UK, one of the world's best planet photographers. Book seats now for Monday November 8 in D.C.U. at 8pm. See www.astronomy.ie only 5euro (3euro members and concessions). All-Ireland Nov. 13-14: Astro-Expo 2004 "The Dublin Astronomy Weekend" for EVERYONE in Ireland. 2 days of brilliant lectures, huge exhibition, and the AI annual dinner. ESA's top astronaut, Stephen Hawking's Astronomy Ireland student, and Sir Isaac Newton to name a few! Have dinner with them all at the highly reduced rate if you book now. Weekend pass to the entire event ONLY 20euro! See www.astronomy.ie for details including accommodation list for majority of our members who live outside Dublin. Regards and clear skies, ===== David Moore BSc FRAS, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland, P.O.Box 2888, Dublin 5. Editor, "Astronomy & Space" magazine. ASTRONOMY SHOP: open until 6pm Mon.-Sat. Tel (01) 847 0777. Fax (01) 847 0771. www.astronomy.ie (Subscribe to AI's FREE emailing list) info(a)astronomy.ie

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[Astronomy Ireland] Eclipse, Radio Show, Newsline this week
by Astronomy Ireland 27 Oct '04

27 Oct '04

ASTRONOMY IRELAND MAILING LIST - www.astronomy.ie (The all-Ireland astronomy Club, Magazine and Shop) --------------------------------------------------- 1. TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE MOON OCT 27/28 By now hopefully everyone has the details of tomorrow night's Total Eclipse of the Moon starting on pages 29 of the October issue of our magazine ("Astronomy & Space") so I won't go in to details here (www.astronomy.ie/sub) It would be a good idea to re-read the article and be prepared to make your Danjon scale estimate, refresh your observing plans, or make sure all your camera equipment is ready to go etc. Don't forget to email your estimate, your comments and photos to us at observe(a)astronomy.ie Remember, this is the last Total Lunar Eclipse anyone anywhere in the world will see until March 2007 so make sure you watch the whole event from 2am to 6am. Don't believe the weather forecasts as they cannot predict if there will be a 10 second break in the clouds over a 4 hour period, which would be enough to justify staying up all 4 hours! ECLIPSE TRIP A few of us here in Leinster intend travelling to the place in Ireland most likely to be clear. We'll wait for the latest forecast and set out for anywhere on the island tomorrow night! If you want to come let me know soon (include a mobile number if possible). ECLIPSE WEATHER WATCH I would appreciate being kept informed of cloud cover amounts around Ireland. Please send TEXT messages to our usual alert line on 086 081 99 86. Cloud cover amounts can be sent from 6pm onwards tomorrow (and until 6am Thursday of course) so we can plan where to head to. Give your name and location (nearest large town and county please). Thanks. 2. A.I. RADIO SHOW AIRS had a piece giving all the details of the eclipse on our Tuesday 8pm live broadcast on Dublin Anna Livia 103.2 FM. We also announced the final programme of Astro-Expo 2004 for the first time. See www.astronomy.ie now. Unfortunately there was no copy made for the Thursday 11am repeat. Did anyone happen to tape the show? The October 12 Show is now online (www.astronomy.ie and click "Radio Show") but again there is a problem with our copy of the October 19 show. Did anyone record that show also? Email your comments and questions each week to radio(a)astronomy.ie and tune in every Tuesday at 8pm (mark your diary/calendar now!). 3. 1550-111-442 TELEPHONE NEWSLINE HEADLINES THIS WEEK: TOTAL ECLIPSE OF MOON DETAILS; CASSINI FLIES VERY CLOSE TO TITAN; MARS NEAR SPICA WITH MORNING PLANETS; AND, CLOCKS GO BACK FOR HALLOWEEN. Please call our 1550-111-442 Newsline every Monday for a new weekly message (in UK dial 09001-88-1950) 4. Order our "ECLIPSE ISSUE" magazine for 5euro http://www.astronomy.ie/sub or post to P.O.BOX 2888, DUBLIN 5. 5. HALF PRICE mail order book sale continues all this week and Saturday. www.astronomy.ie/booksale.rtf 6. Support our Astronomy Shop call (01) 847 0777 : telescopes large and small plus most books HALF PRICE! - David Moore -----------------------------------------

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[Astronomy Ireland] Radio, TV, Events, Newsline this week
by Astronomy Ireland 19 Oct '04

19 Oct '04

ASTRONOMY IRELAND MAILING LIST - www.astronomy.ie (The all-Ireland astronomy Club, Magazine and Shop) --------------------------------------------------- 1. Astronomy Ireland Radio Show Thanks to AI member Kevin Sheahan the AI Radio show from October 5 is now online and available for download to all members NATIONWIDE as only a 1.3MB file (4 minutes on a standard dial-up connection). Please let us know what you think of the show or the audio quality at radio(a)astronomy.ie (thanks for the comments and questions already received and keep them coming). Due to a technical difficulty the October 12 and 19(tonight!) show will go online together later this week. Go to www.astronomy.ie and click on "Radio Show" on the left hand side menu to check each day and download the Oct. 5 show. If you live in the Leinster area don't forget to rune in EVERY TUESDAY AT 8pm (that's tonight!!!) with a repeat at 11am Thursdays on Dublin City Anna Livia FM 103.2 So far we've had reports of good reception from counties Louth(Drogheda), Kildare(Naas,Clane). How far away can it be picked up!? email radio(a)astronomy.ie please Tonight's in studio guest: Emmet Mordaunt talking about prospects for Life on Mars now methane has been found! 2. TV - LORD OF THE RINGS BBC 2's excellent science documentary series Horizon looks at the Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn and its rings. Thursday 21 October, 9pm BBC Two http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/tvradio/programmes/horizon/ We'll be getting one of the Cassini team to give a public lecture next year. 3. LECTURES, SKY EVENTS, ETC - IT'S A BUSY WEEK! Oct. 18 AI Radio Show 8pm on 103.2 FM. See above Oct. 19 David Moore slide show "The Universe" OGRA Youth Centre 8pm, Athy. All welcome. 5euro. Oct. 20 Orionid Meteor Shower peaks - see page 28 of magazine or call Newsline(see below) Oct. 20 Moon occults a 4th magnitude star. Watch it get snuffed out just before 8pm in any small telescope - see magazine page 23 Oct. 21 AI Radio Show 11am(repeat) on 103.2 FM. See above Oct. 21 Peter Costello public lecture "Happy Birthday World" 7:30pm Swift Lecture Theatre, Arts, Trinity College Dublin (Archbishop Ussher worked out the date of creation was this day in 4004BC!). Admission 4euro. 4. 1550-111-442 TELEPHONE NEWSLINE HEADLINES THIS WEEK: ORIONID METEOR SHOWER PROSPECTS MOON OCCULTS BRIGHT STAR ATHY AND DUBLIN LECTURES VIEWING TIMES FOR NEXT WEEK'S ECLIPSE AND, HOW TO SEE 3 BRIGHT PLANETS THIS WEEK Please call our 1550-111-442 Newsline every Monday for a new weekly message. As with our Astronomy Shop proceeds help to run Astronomy Ireland (calls cost 95c/min; in UK dial 09001-88-1950 at 60p/min) ------------------------------------------------------------ Need anything? Our Astronomy Shop either has it in stock or will get it for you! HALF PRICE book sale continues all this week and Saturday. http://www.astronomy.ie/dm/booksale.rtf Thousands of superb books must go! Astronomy Shop: Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat for ALL your astronomical needs ------------------------------------------------------------ Please order our "ECLIPSE ISSUE" (October) magazine NOW and be ready for the last TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE MOON (Oct. 28) for over 2 years! Only 5euro including postage! Click http://www.astronomy.ie/sub or post to P.O.BOX 2888, DUBLIN 5. ------------------------------------------------------------

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[Astronomy Ireland] Asteroid Occs, Athy & Armagh Lectures, Hamilton Walk
by Astronomy Ireland 14 Oct '04

14 Oct '04

ASTRONOMY IRELAND MAILING LIST - www.astronomy.ie (The all-Ireland astronomy Club, Magazine and Shop) --------------------------------------------------- 1. ASTEROIDS OCCULT TWO STARS TONIGHT! Apostolos Christou at Armagh Observatory alerts us to two asteroid occultations tonight. It is rare (few times a year) that an asteroid will pass in front of a star that is bright enough to be seen in a small telescope from Ireland, yet this happens TWICE tonight (Oct. 14/15)! Many of you have bought telescopes from our Shop that are well capable of seeing these events and you can put Ireland on the amateur astronomy map and contribute real science in terms of determining the size and shape of these asteroids simply by timing the disappearance of the stars. First up is asteroid 636 Erika which is 78km wide and magnitude 13.4. Around 12:10am BST tonight it will occult a magnitude 10.8 star in Aries (15 degrees to the right of the Pleiades, and just 45' from Pi Ari) while 45 degrees up in the Southeast. Diagram and chart: http://mpocc.astro.cz/updates/1014eri2.gif The diagram shows that Northern Ireland is the most likely region to see the occultation which will last 8 seconds at most, but note that these predictions can be slightly out and that satellites of asteroids may occult the star so everyone in Ireland should watch if they can. Next up is asteroid 63 Ausonia which is 108km wide and magnitude 12.4. Around 2:56am BST tonight (Oct. 15) it will occult a magnitude 9.6 star in Gemini (5 degrees to the right of Castor, and just 38' from 53 Gem) while 40 degrees up in the East. Diagram and chart: http://mpocc.astro.cz/updates/1015aus1.gif The diagram shows that nearly all of Ireland may see the event which will last 9 seconds at most, with the north slightly favoured, but again remember this could be inaccurate so everyone should watch. Set up your equipment an hour or more in advance to give yourself time to locate the target star. Start watching, or recording video (including those of you who have bought the webcam from our Shop note!), 5 to 10 minutes in advance in case of errors or satellites of the asteroids. Please email observe(a)astronomy.ie even if you attempt to observe the event. 2. LECTURES: ATHY AND ARMAGH OCT. 19: I will be giving my slide show lecture "THE UNIVERSE" next Tuesday October 19 at 8pm to the OGRA YOUTH CENTRE in Athy. Organiser Billy Browne (browne39(a)eircom.net) says that members of the public are welcome. There will be a small admission fee around 5euro. Contact Billy directly for directions and details. NOV. 26: Armagh Observatory will host the prestigious biennial Robinson Lecture (in honour of its founder) on Friday, 26th November at 7.30p.m. in The Studio Theatre, The Market Place, Armagh. Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell (born in Belfast) who discovered the first pulsar in 1967 will give the 2004 Robinson Lecture "Tick, Tick, Tick Pulsating Star, How We Wonder What You Are!" in which she will outline the discovery and characteristics of pulsars in a non-technical manner and bring us right up to date with current research on these puzzling objects. For free tickets for this event, contact Mrs Aileen McKee at the Armagh Observatory, Tel.: (028) 3752-2928 (change 028 prefix to 048 if in Republic of Ireland); Fax: (028) 3752-7174; or e-mail: ambn(a)arm.ac.uk. NOV. 25: Professor Bell Burnell will also deliver the Robinson Schools Lecture at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 25th November 2004 at St Patrick's Academy, Dungannon. The title of the Schools Lecture is: "You Are Made of Star Stuff". Teachers may request free tickets for this lecture from Mr Stephen Grew, St Patrick's Academy, 37 Killymeal Road, Dungannon, BT71 6DS. Tel.: (028) 8772-7400; e-mail: spgrew2000(a)yahoo.co.uk. More information about both events at: http://star.arm.ac.uk/publicevents/Robinson-Lecture-2004.html http://star.arm.ac.uk/publicevents/Robinson-Schools-2004.html 3. HAMILTON WALK OCT. 16 Next year is the 200th anniversary of the birth of one of Ireland's greatest mathematicians Sir William Rowan Hamilton (1805-1865) who served as Director of Dunsink Observatory from an early age. He is famous for scratching his equation for quaternions on Broom bridge over the Royal Canal when walking from Dunsink into Dublin on October 16, 1843. Each year a walk is held to commemorate this event. Dr Fiacre O Cairbre is organising a coach to leave from Maynooth University at 11am this Saturday to go to Dunsink and retrace Hamilton's steps. Contact him if you wish to join in: Fiacre.OCairbre(a)may.ie (http://www.maths.may.ie/staff/foc/) Dr O Cairbre will give the Astronomy Ireland NEW YEAR PUBLIC LECTURE on Monday January 10, 2005 on the life of Hamilton to kick off celebrations for Hamilton Year (see www.hamilton2005.ie for a full and developing list of events). He will also be writing an article on Hamilton for Astronomy & Space magazine, probably the January issue due out in mid December. 4. BRIEFLY Email comments on AI Radio Show radio(a)astronomy.ie (8pm Tue/11am Thurs) www.astronomy.ie/radioshow.html . HALF PRICE BOOK SALE is nearing its end. See www.astronomy.ie/dm/booksale.rtf !!! OCTOBER 28 last Total Lunar Eclipse til 2007! Order October issue for 5euro www.astronomy.ie/sub See www.astronomy.ie for everything else! - David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland. www.astronomy.ie Astronomy Shop: Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat for ALL your astronomical needs: HALF PRICE BOOK SALE now on http://www.astronomy.ie/dm/booksale.rtf -----------------------------------------

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[Astronomy Ireland] Lecture Report, Radio Show Online, Newsline
by Astronomy Ireland 12 Oct '04

12 Oct '04

ASTRONOMY IRELAND MAILING LIST - www.astronomy.ie (The all-Ireland astronomy Club, Magazine and Shop) --------------------------------------------------- 1. LECTURES Guy Hurst (B.A.A. and TA magazine) reminded a packed audience of 100 people last night what amateur astronomers like you can do. Some people came from as far as N. Ireland to hear the Lecture which was held in association with the British Council. Whether you have 3 robot telescopes searching the skies while you're down the pub like one BAA member or you're a postman with just one half of pair of 10x50 binoculars you can discover an exploding star! We're still working on getting these monthly lectures online but watch this list for an announcement. http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture0410.html Next up is Damian Peach, one of the best planet photographers in the world. And he's coming to Ireland to give our next Public Lecture "Photographing Planets" on November 8, again in association with the British Council. If you want to come you must 'reply' to this email now. http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture0411.html See the front cover of our November issue and the feature article inside for all his photos. We also plan a 'workshop' with Damian on the day before (Sunday) which is by invitation only so 'reply' now if you want are 'into' planet photography and want to take his 'masterclass' - first come, first served basis. 2. ASTRONOMY IRELAND RADIO SHOW (AIRS) The first show is now online at www.astronomy.ie for members anywhere in the world to download. Click the new link "Radio Show" in the menu at the left. It's an MP3 file. I'm no audio expert so if anyone knows a better way to compress it or has any tips please let me know. The next show goes out LIVE tonight at 8pm and EVERY TUESDAY (repeated every Thursday at 11am) on Dublin City Anna Livia 103.2 FM We have received ZERO comments on the show. Would everyone who heard the show please email radio(a)astronomy.ie to say so please? Everyone else: do you have ANY questions you want answered, or do you know EVERYTHING about the universe already? Email them any time please. Please tune in to 103.2 FM every Tuesday at 8pm for Ireland's ONLY astronomy show! 3. 1550-111-442 TELEPHONE NEWSLINE HEADLINES THIS WEEK: JUPITER, MARS, VENUS AND MOON ON SHOW; SATURN; ASTRONOMY IRELAND RADIO SHOW; AND, GET READY FOR THE ECLIPSE. Please call our 1550-111-442 Newsline every Monday for a new weekly message. - David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland. www.astronomy.ie Please order our "ECLIPSE ISSUE" (October) magazine NOW and be ready for the last TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE MOON (Oct. 28) for over 2 years! Only 5euro including postage! Click http://www.astronomy.ie/sub or post 5euro to P.O.BOX 2888, DUBLIN 5. Astronomy Shop: Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat for ALL your astronomical needs: HALF PRICE BOOK SALE now on http://www.astronomy.ie/booksale.rtf -----------------------------------------

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[Astronomy Ireland] Tonight's Leinster Area Lecture
by Astronomy Ireland 11 Oct '04

11 Oct '04

Astronomy Ireland and The British Council present: "HUNTING FOR EXPLODING STARS" a Public Lecture by GUY HURST (British Astronomical Association/The Astronomer magazine) 8pm October 11 DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY (Lecture Theatre CG12, Henry Grattan Building, DCU, Collins Ave, Dublin 9) All welcome. Admission 5euro (3euro concessions) Guy Hurst is a leading figure in amateur astronomy in the U.K. He is editor of The Astronomer magazine (founded 1964) and was recently President of the British Astronomical Association (founded 1890), the UK's largest and most prestigious amateur astronomy body. We want as many of you to meet this important figure as possible. He is sure to speak to many important astronomers about his trip to Dublin so we want as a big a crowd to hear his lecture as possible. He is going to explain what a supernova and a nova are and how a growing group of amateur astronomers are now discovering dozens of them using modest equipment. It's a prime example of how amateurs can still help professional astronomers understand the universe. It should be a fascinating talk about cutting-edge amateur astronomy from one of the UK's top amateur astronomers (Guy is a retired bank manager). You may have seen him on Channel 4's documentary "Earth Calling Basingstoke" which featured the work of many people who contribute to The Astronomer magazine. DIRECTIONS: Dublin City University is not far from the city centre and very easy to get to from the M50 (or DART to Clontarf and take the 103 bus). See "how to get to DCU": http://www.dcu.ie/info/get_to.shtml Once you come in the Collins Avenue entrance turn right and park in the multi-storey car park immediately on your right. When you exit the car park the famous HELIX theatre is ahead of you and the Henry Grattan Building is just behind the Helix, so it's only a short walk to the lecture from the car park. Or ask for directions, or follow the signposts on campus. Already we have taken more bookings than for any other lecture this year but I hope even more of you will make the effort to be there at this important meeting tonight and help to strengthen links between British and Irish astronomy. - David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland ------------------------------------------

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[Astronomy Ireland] Major Public Lecture Monday "Hunting for Exploding Stars"
by Astronomy Ireland 08 Oct '04

08 Oct '04

It is very rare that we can bring in speakers from abroad but thanks to support from the British Council you will be able to hear the UK's top amateur astronomer give his first ever lecture in Ireland: "HUNTING FOR EXPLODING STARS" by Guy Hurst past President of the British Astronomical Association, Editor of "The Astronomer" magazine, and star of Channel 4's documentary "Earth calling Basingstoke" Guy Hurst leads a team of members of the general public in the UK who use their telescopes to discover exploding stars (supernova - scene of an explosion that would vaporise our entire Sun, which is itself 1 million times the size of Earth!) in distant galaxies. So just what is a supernova, and how do you find one? We are bringing a world expert to Ireland so you can come along and find out. This is going to be a brilliant evening which will make us all realise just why we are all interested in space, Be there! Dublin City University (lecture theatre CG12 in the Henry Grattan Building) on Monday October 11 at 8:00pm. All welcome. Admission 5euro (3euro to members/unwaged/under 18/students/pensioners) To book, all you have to do is email info(a)astronomy.ie saying how many tickets you want then come along and pay at the door. ------------------------------------------------------------

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[Astronomy Ireland] Help, AIRS, Comet on net, Major Lecture Monday
by Astronomy Ireland 07 Oct '04

07 Oct '04

ASTRONOMY IRELAND MAILING LIST - www.astronomy.ie (The all-Ireland astronomy Club, Magazine and Shop) --------------------------------------------------- 1. WE NEED YOUR HELP !!! If you are in the Dublin area and free any time today (Thursday) from 10am to 10pm for an hour or more perhaps you would be able to help us post out our magazine. We do not have as many volunteers as usual this month so any extra hands in our office/Shop in Artane would be very welcome. Please reply to this email or just drop in! 2. AIRS The AI Radio Show was transmitted on Tuesday at 8pm. If you missed it you can hear the repeat on Thursday at 11am on Dublin City Anna Livia 103.2 FM. We hope to have the show online at our website www.astronomy.ie by the weekend. Please email us NOW if you tuned in? radio(a)astronomy.ie 3. COMET ASAS ON THE NET On Sept. 9 a small comet was found by an automated telescope system (ASAS). Comet ASAS (C/2004 R2) will pass very close to the Sun Oct. 7 (0.11au) and may reach magnitude +2. It wouldn't be of great interest except for the fact that you can just about see it on the net at the SOHO website. Look at http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime-images.html and click on "LASCO C3". The comet is a small streak to the lower right of the blotted-out Sun's disk. It will move towards the top centre of the image as the days pass as this plot shows: http://ares.nrl.navy.mil/sungrazer/images/R2_K4_1r.gif It's nowhere near as good as the recent Comet Bradfield and perhaps only our more experienced readers will see it? Click on the "REAL TIME MOVIES" link at the bottom of the above SOHO page (http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime/mpeg/) and the motion is quite noticeable. Comet LINEAR (C/2003 K4) is also shown in the above plot but it's very much fainter and extremely difficult to spot. I can just about detect it. 4. NEXT PUBLIC LECTURE: "Hunting for Exploding Planets" by UK's top amateur astronomer Guy Hurst (a B.A.A. President) Details at http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture0410.html Please book seats NOW by replying to this email or at the webpage above. This is a major lecture in association with the British Council so DO NOT MISS IT! Please help us post our magazine Thursday! - David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland. www.astronomy.ie Please order our "ECLIPSE ISSUE" (October) magazine NOW and be ready for the last TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE MOON (Oct. 28) for over 2 years! Only 5euro including postage! Click http://www.astronomy.ie/sub or post to P.O.BOX 2888, DUBLIN 5. Astronomy Shop: Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat for ALL your astronomical needs: HALF PRICE BOOK SALE now on http://www.astronomy.ie/dm/booksale.rtf -----------------------------------------

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[Astronomy Ireland] Evening Classes, AI Radio Show, Newsline
by Astronomy Ireland 05 Oct '04

05 Oct '04

ASTRONOMY IRELAND MAILING LIST - www.astronomy.ie (The all-Ireland astronomy Club, Magazine and Shop) --------------------------------------------------- 1. EVENING CLASSES START THURSDAY - LAST CHANCE TO BOOK Join 100 other beginners this Thursday evening (Oct. 7) for Astronomy Ireland's Astronomy Evening Classes. Over 10 weeks Emmet Mordaunt will explain the Night Sky, Telescopes, Stars, Planets, the Cosmos, and more. The course is aimed at the general public and assumes no knowledge of astronomy. For more details and to book online see http://www.astronomy.ie/eveningclass.html You can also book by calling our Astronomy Shop on (01) 847 0777. Course costs 75euro plus 40euro subscription to Astronomy Ireland's magazine. Please pass these details along to anyone you think might be interested. 2. THE "ASTRONOMY IRELAND RADIO SHOW" AND BBC's SKY AT NIGHT There were technical problems last week at Anna Livia and the first show did not go out. A revised show has been recorded and this will be transmitted at 8pm on Dublin City Anna Livia radio (103.2 FM) on Tuesday October 5th. Join your host Ben Emmett and guests EVERY TUESDAY AT 8PM (Christy Creely and David Moore this week). For those living outside Dublin we hope to put the show online soon after transmission (http://www.astronomy.ie/webcast.html) Email your questions and comments to radio(a)astronomy.ie There will be a repeat of the "Astronomy Ireland Radio Show" on THURSDAY MORNINGS at 11am, a bit like the BBC's Sky at Night TV programme, which went out late Sunday night Oct. 3 and will be repeated on BBC 2 on Saturday Oct. 9 at 12:45pm ("Planet Quest" hunting for planets of other stars to the Sun) Watch it online at bbc.co.uk/skyatnight 3. 1550-111-442 TELEPHONE NEWSLINE HEADLINES THIS WEEK: UK'S TOP AMATEUR ASTRONOMER SPEAKS IN DUBLIN NEXT MONDAY - http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture0410.html X PRIZE WON!; VENUS CLOSE TO REGULUS AND THE MOON - page 27 October issue EVENING CLASSES BEGIN - http://www.astronomy.ie/eveningclass.html SATURN NEAR MOON THURSDAY - page 26 October issue AND, NEW ASTRONOMY IRELAND RADIO SHOW - http://www.astronomy.ie/webcast.html Please call our 1550-111-442 Newsline every Monday for a new weekly message. As with our Astronomy Shop proceeds help to run Astronomy Ireland (calls cost 95c/min; in UK dial 09001-88-1950 at 60p/min) - David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland. www.astronomy.ie Please order our "ECLIPSE ISSUE" (October) magazine NOW and be ready for the last TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE MOON (Oct. 28) for over 2 years! Only 5euro including postage! Click http://www.astronomy.ie/sub or post to P.O.BOX 2888, DUBLIN 5. Astronomy Shop: Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat for ALL your astronomical needs: HALF PRICE BOOK SALE now on http://www.astronomy.ie/dm/booksale.rtf -----------------------------------------

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[Astronomy Ireland] Dunsink to close?, Radio Show, Lectures, Venus+Regulus, Newsline, Sale!!!
by Astronomy Ireland 02 Oct '04

02 Oct '04

ASTRONOMY IRELAND MAILING LIST - www.astronomy.ie (The all-Ireland astronomy Club, Magazine and Shop) --------------------------------------------------- 1. DUNSINK OBSERVATORY TO BE CLOSED? During the week we received information from highly regarded sources that our national observatory at Dunsink on Dublin's northside might be closed by the end of the year. We were told that a meeting of the Board that governs the state-run Dunsink Observatory (part of DIAS - see www.dias.ie) was to be advised at its next meeting to immediately move all staff to city centre offices. There seemed to be no provision for what to do with the buildings, the extensive library and other treasures. With security threatened by squatters who already occupy some of the land at the Observatory, leaving it vacant would almost certainly see the buildings vandalised. Astronomy Ireland immediately called an emergency meeting of our more active volunteers. However, we have investigated the matter and members of the Board have told AI that whereas a report advising the Board to move staff may have been produced, the Board had not yet met and any report that caused Dunsink to close would not be met with a favourable response. I was told it would be "...total madness..." by one Board member. We were also told that there was "no intention of walking away from Dunsink Observatory". Indeed, we were told that more public events are planned for next year as 2005 is Hamilton Year, celebrating the bicentenary of the birth of one of Dunsink's most significant Directors. See http://www.hamilton2005.ie/ We will of course continue to monitor the situation but we were told "Please rest assured that DIAS remains committed to Dunsink as a public asset for promoting science and to protecting it as a historical national treasure." which is very reassuring. Hopefully, all that has happened is that a report has been produced that will make recommendations that no one will vote to implement due to the consequences for the Observatory. The very existence of this report is just what is concerning people. However, we will monitor the situation and keep you posted. Should future emergency AI meetings be necessary let me know if you want to be included in any such meetings. I wanted to issue this statement in case you heard any rumours elsewhere and to share the explanation that we have received to date, and to let you know that we would keep you appraised of any developments. It seems we have little to worry about at present. 2. ASTRONOMY IRELAND RADIO SHOW ON ANNA LIVIA 103.2FM Due to problems at Anna Livia the planned first broadcast of the Astronomy Ireland Radio Show (AIRS) did not go ahead last Tuesday as planned. The first show is now planned for transmission at 8pm on next Tuesday October 5. Tune in to 103.2 FM. Soon thereafter we hope to put the show online at our website www.astronomy.ie for the majority of you who do not live in the Dublin area (we'll email this list when it is online). AIRS is produced and presented by Ben Emmett. 3. UPCOMING LECTURES/EVENTS Tue. Oct. 5 AIRS on Anna Livia 103.2 FM Wed. Oct. 6 James Randi to speak in RDS http://www.irishskeptics.net/ Thu. Oct. 7 Astronomy EVENING CLASSES begin (book in advance at www.astronomy.ie/eveningclass.html ) Mon. Oct. 11 B.A.A. President Guy Hurst to speak in Ireland "HUNTING FOR EXPLODING STARS" www.astronomy.ie/lecture0410.html 4. VENUS NEAR REGULUS I had a lovely view of Venus just 1.6 degrees above Regulus this morning (Saturday) at 6:40am. Did anyone else set their alarm clock for this conjunction? As the diagram on page 27 of the October issue shows, they are closest Sunday morning (0.5 degree) and not much farther apart on Monday morning (0.7 degree). In hindsight I'd have looked out a bit earlier, say 6am, as many of the fainter stars in Leo were being swamped by morning twilight when I viewed. Email your reports for publication in the OBSERVERS LOG column of our magazine to observe(a)astronomy.ie 5. NEWSLINE HEADLINES THIS WEEK: VENUS PASSES VERY CLOSE TO REGULUS HARVEST MOON NEAR SEVEN SISTERS STAR CLUSTER AND THEN OCCULTS A STAR AND, NEW ASTRONOMY IRELAND RADIO SHOW Please call 1550-111-442 (calls cost 95c/min, in UK dial 09001-88-1950 at 60p/min) for full details. 6. HALF PRICE BOOK SALE Remember http://www.astronomy.ie/dm/booksale.rtf for almost any book you ever wanted at HALF PRICE! Less than trade price! Lots of people were in the Shop today but there's still plenty of books left! For example: DAVID LEVY'S GUIDE TO THE NIGHT SKY was 29.95 now only 14.98 DEEP SKY WONDERS (STEPHEN O'MEARA) was 43.81 now only 21.91 DEEP SKY, AN INTRO (PHILIP HARRINGTON) was 37.14 now only 18.57 DICTIONARY OF ASTRONOMY (MARTIN INCE) was 20.25 now only 10.13 DICTIONARY OF MINOR PLANET NAMES was 149.95 now only 74.98 DISCOVERING ASTRONOMY (INCL. ACTIVITIES BOOKS) was 49.52 now only 24.76 DOBSONIAN TELESCOPE, THE (KRIEGE & BERRY) was 43.81 now only 21.91 EASY P.C. ASTRONOMY was 41.50 now only 20.75 ECLIPSE! (HARRINGTON) was 20.50 now only 10.25 especially note that last book with the last total lunar eclipse for over 2 years coming up on October 27/28!!! (see October issue of our magazine for details) Drop in to Ireland's biggest Astronomy Shop from Monday to Saturday up to 5:30pm: www.astronomy.ie/map.html Or call number below for low cost delivery anywhere in Ireland. Regards and clear skies, David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland / Editor "Astronomy & Space" magazine. www.astronomy.ie Astronomy Shop: Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat

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