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

[Astronomy Ireland] Armagh & Dublin Lectures, Newsline, Leo Enright on AIRS
by Astronomy Ireland 23 Nov '04

23 Nov '04

ASTRONOMY IRELAND MAILING LIST - www.astronomy.ie (The all-Ireland astronomy Club, Magazine and Shop) --------------------------------------------------- 1. TWO MAJOR PUBLIC LECTURES THIS WEEK (WED. & FRI.) a) Prof Evert Meurs, Director of Dunsink Observatory, reminds us that tomorrow sees: The DIAS School of Cosmic Physics Statutory Public Lecture 2004 date: Wednesday 24 November 2004, at 7:30 p.m. on: Huygens and Titan: from discovery to encounter by: Dr Henk Olthof (Science Programme Directorate of the European Space Agency) Venue: Emmet Theatre, Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin (Admission free) b) Prof. Mark Bailey, Director of Armagh Observatory, invites you to: The 2004 Robinson Lecture Friday 26 November 2004 19:30 The Studio Theatre, The Market Place, Armagh "Tick, Tick, Tick Pulsating Star, How We Wonder What You Are!" by Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell, discoverer of pulsars For free tickets for this event, contact Mrs Aileen McKee at the Armagh Observatory, Tel.: 028-3752-2928; Fax: 028-3752-7174; (from RoI change the 028 prefix to 048) or e-mail: ambn(a)arm.ac.uk Details at: http://www.arm.ac.uk/publicevents/Robinson-Lecture-2004.html 2. 1550-111-442 TELEPHONE NEWSLINE HEADLINES THIS WEEK: INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION ON VIEW AND BOOSTED; 4 PLANETS IN MORNING SKIES; MOON NEAR SEVEN SISTERS STAR CLUSTER; 2 MAJOR LECTURES THIS WEEK; AND, LEONID METEOR SHOWER REPORT. Please call our 1550-111-442 Newsline every Monday for a new weekly message (U.K. dial 09001-88-1950). 3. LEO ENRIGHT STARS ON A.I. RADIO SHOW Q. Where will you be at 8pm every Tuesday? A. Glued to 103.2 on the FM dial on your radio, listening to the Astronomy Ireland Radio Show! This week's special guest is writer and broadcaster Leo Enright who will talk about all the missions to the planets currently ongoing. Leo has visited most of the teams running each mission personally and covered their efforts as a journalist and so he is uniquely qualified to describe each voyage of discovery. If you miss the show any Tuesday at 8pm you can hear a repeat on Thursdays at 11am or go to www.astronomy.ie and click "radio show" at the left. We have just put 2 new 30 minute shows online each of which should only take 4 minutes to download via dial-up (20 seconds using broadband!) Email ANY question to radio(a)astronomy.ie and please email us if you hear the show! Tuesday's at 8 - be there! - David Moore, Astronomy Ireland - your national astronomy club & magazine. Astronomy Ireland is a non-profit club for EVERYONE interested in space www.astronomy.ie/sub ASTRONOMY SHOP: Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat for ALL your astronomical needs www.astronomy.ie/map.html

1 0

[Astronomy Ireland] Sky News & I.S.S., Telescopes for Christmas, A.I.Radio Show
by Astronomy Ireland 22 Nov '04

22 Nov '04

ASTRONOMY IRELAND MAILING LIST - www.astronomy.ie (The all-Ireland astronomy Club, Magazine and Shop) --------------------------------------------------- 1. WE'RE ON SKY NEWS TONIGHT RE I.S.S. The 100,000 million dollar International Space Station, the most expensive object ever built by the human race, will fly over Ireland tonight at 5:36pm. Look very high up in the South, passing above the Moon and moving from right to left. If you've never seen it before it will look like a very bright 'star' moving at the sort of speed that high flying jet aircraft cross the sky. I've been doing quite a few radio and media interviews about it already and Sky News will be filming a report with me from the top of a building in Dublin this evening. It should be aired at the 7pm and 10pm Sky News Ireland slots tonight. I.S.S. will be visible every evening until November 29, but at a DIFFERENT time each evening. See the I.S.S. page on A.I.'s website for more details about I.S.S. www.astronomy.ie. To get the time to see I.S.S. from tomorrow on, call our Newsline after 12 noon each day for the time to watch later that evening: 1550-111-442 2. CHRISTMAS TELESCOPE OFFERS FROM OUR SHOP We run the biggest Telescope Shop in Ireland and almost everyone who buys a quality telescope gets them from us. We had a range of discounts at Astro-Expo and these were so successful that we are continuing them for Christmas - up to 40% off the price of some telescopes, while stocks last. For brief details visit www.astronomy.ie or call the staff at our Shop who are all telescope users themselves and will give you expert advice before AND AFTER you buy a telescope from us. Delivery anywhere in Ireland at low cost. Remember, proceeds from sales in OUR shop help us to promote interest in astronomy throughout Ireland so please recommend us to anyone you know. 3. LEO ENRIGHT ON A.I.R.S. Just a regular weekly reminder that EVERY TUESDAY AT 8PM is Astronomy Ireland Radio Show night! Special guest this week will be broadcaster and writer Leo Enright in the first of two interviews. Be sure to tune in to Anna Livia 103.2FM (repeated Thursdays at 11am). An archive of shows is available online at www.astronomy.ie and email us any questions you have to radio(a)astronomy.ie - David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland - your national astronomy club & magazine. Astronomy Ireland is a non-profit club for EVERYONE interested in space www.astronomy.ie/sub Astronomy Shop: Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat for ALL your astronomical needs www.astronomy.ie/map.html

1 0

[Astronomy Ireland] Aldrin
by Astronomy Ireland 18 Nov '04

18 Nov '04

ASTRONOMY IRELAND MAILING LIST - www.astronomy.ie (The all-Ireland astronomy Club, Magazine and Shop) --------------------------------------------------- 1. MEETING WITH BUZZ ALDRIN We met Buzz Aldrin at lunch time today in advance of his SOLD OUT interview with Gay Byrne this evening in the National Concert Hall at 8pm - part of the Eagle Star Face to Face series of interviews organised by Newpark Productions - our thanks to them for arranging an audience with Buzz Aldrin. We got to ask him several questions before he had to rush off. An article with photos is being prepared for our magazine. As he was being whisked away for his next appointment I just managed to finally ask him for a brief YES/NO answer to the question "would you go into space again". He just barely got to say "no"! So if you're at the NCH interview this evening ask that question so we can all find out the reason! IRELAND AM (TV3) were there filming an interview which I'm sure you'd all like to see. I'm told it's expected to go out on Monday morning so do tune in (7am-10am so set your video now lest you forget!). Thanks to all of you who sent in questions. We were flooded with them at the last minute and could not ask them all so check out the magazine article when it comes out in either the January issue (out early December) or February issue (out early January). 2. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION BLAZING ACROSS IRISH SKIES Everyone in Ireland can watch I.S.S. blaze across the sky for the next 12 nights. The time for tonight, Thursday is 5:18pm and I.S.S. will pass just above the Moon (those in the north of the island will see it get closest to the Moon). On board are Leroy Chiao and Salizhan Sharipov who have been in space since mid October and will stay on board until next April i.e. over Christmas and New Year, but what a view they will have out the window over Christmas dinner so don't feel too sorry for them. I.S.S. looks like an extremely bright 'star' to the naked eye and you can easily see it from even brightly lit cities. It crosses the sky in a minute or two high up and everyone in Ireland can see it at the same time. The only problem is that it flies over at a DIFFERENT time each evening (5:18pm tonight, but 6:24pm yesterday for example). They can also boost the orbit (they did this yesterday!) so you need to check the times daily. The best way to do this is to call our Newsline on 1550-111-442 (calls cost 95c/min). We update this every day by 12 noon so call each afternoon and set the alarm on your mobile or wrist watch to remind you a couple of minutes before the predicted time - you'll forget otherwise! In N.Ireland & Britain call 09001-88-1950 (calls cost 60p/min). I.S.S. is the most expensive object ever to be built and will cost 100,000 million dollars when it is completed. We have an I.S.S. page on our website www.astronomy.ie with more details, click the link on the left-hand menu bar. Newsline: 1550-111-442 - David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland - your national astronomy club & magazine. Astronomy Ireland is a non-profit club for EVERYONE interested in space. www.astronomy.ie/sub to join AI and get our monthly colour magazine. Or simply post 40euro to: P.O.Box 2888, Dublin 5. Proceeds from our SHOP also help in the running of the club so PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SHOP THIS CHRISTMAS - ASK ABOUT OUR CHRISTMAS TELESCOPE DISCOUNTS (up to 40%!) Astronomy Shop: Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat for ALL your astronomical needs www.astronomy.ie/map.html

1 0

[Astronomy Ireland] Lecture, Radio Show, Aldrin
by Astronomy Ireland 17 Nov '04

17 Nov '04

ASTRONOMY IRELAND MAILING LIST - www.astronomy.ie (The all-Ireland astronomy Club, Magazine and Shop) --------------------------------------------------- 1. PUBLIC LECTURE "HUYGENS AND TITAN..." There will be a public lecture by Dr Henk Olthof of the European Space Agency entitled "Huygens and Titan: from discovery to encounter" which will be given on Wednesday November 24th at 19:30 in the Emmet theatre, Arts Block, TCD. This is the 2004 statutory public lecture of the School of Cosmic Physics and admission is free. 2. A.I. RADIO SHOW Did anyone hear it last night? Please email radio(a)astronomy.ie if so giving your rough location. The show should be repeated on Anna Livia at 11am Thursday 103.2FM. Please email radio(a)astronomy.ie if you heard the show last night? 3. SECOND MAN ON THE MOON "BUZZ ALDRIN" QUESTIONS No one emailed a question for Buzz Aldrin since my last email! We are interviewing him tomorrow at 12noon (Nov. 18). Is there ANY question you would like us to ask him? Email info(a)astronomy.ie or 'reply' to this email with your questions now! - David Moore

1 0

[Astronomy Ireland] Expo, Radio Show, Buzz Aldrin, Leonids, Newsline
by Astronomy Ireland 16 Nov '04

16 Nov '04

ASTRONOMY IRELAND MAILING LIST - www.astronomy.ie (The all-Ireland astronomy Club, Magazine and Shop) --------------------------------------------------- 1. ASTRO-EXPO DVD/CD Astro-Expo 2004 was very successful last weekend with some brilliant speakers. The European Space Agency sent their top astronaut and he described his mission on the space shuttle brilliantly to a packed audience. Our own Oisin MacConamhna (pronounced mock on ow na) gave a brilliant talk too. And there were of course Planetarium shows, the exhibitors, speakers from around Europe...all were a success and great fun too. A full report will appear in the magazine and we have a few pictures already on www.astronomy.ie My thanks to all those who came from all around the island for making your club's annual gathering such a success. Astro-Expo 2005 will take place November 12-13! We videotaped all 6 talks. We're thinking of making each available on CD for playing on your PC at an estimated cost of 5euro including P&P. And we hope to be able to squeeze all 6 on to one DVD for 10euro inc P&P. If anyone is interested in any/all of the talks please email expo(a)astronomy.ie and we'll see what can be done. 2. ASTRONOMY IRELAND RADIO SHOW Our show goes out tonight TUESDAY at 8pm as usual on Anna Livia 103.2FM. In studio guest this week will be Emmet Mordaunt and we'll also have a report of viewing prospects for the Leonid meteor shower this week. Tune in EVERY TUESDAY AT 8PM (or the repeat on Thursdays at 11am) to 103.2FM. If you hear the show PLEASE email radio(a)astronomy.ie and if you have any questions or comments please add them in to the email. (Country members: please bear with us while we try to get past shows up on our website, we've had more problems but past shows should be up by the end of the week). Set an alarm now! (mobile phones have great alarms for this). 3. BUZZ ALDRIN IN DUBLIN THURSDAY Gay Byrne will interview Buzz Aldrin on Thursday at 8pm in the National Concert Hall in Dublin. Tickets are still available from the NCH on 01-4170000 or www.nch.ie. Astronomy Ireland has been granted its own private interview with Buzz Aldrin that day also. If you have any questions for the second man on the Moon please email them to editor(a)astronomy.ie as soon as possible. 4. LEONID METEOR SHOWER + I.S.S. The Leonid meteor shower peaks tonight (Nov. 16/17) and there could be another outburst on Friday night. Watch out for Leonids every clear night this week therefore. Details are on page 28 of the November issue and our Newsline number below. The International Space Station blazes across the sky every night this week starting on Wednesday. Call our Newsline number below every day after 12noon for the very latest prediction of when to watch that evening. There are two astronauts on board, and if you've never seen I.S.S. before it looks like an extremely bright 'star' to the naked eye crossing the sky in a couple of minutes but at a different time every night, so do make use of the Newsline. 5. 1550-111-442 TELEPHONE NEWSLINE HEADLINES THIS WEEK: LEONID METEOR SHOWER INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION ON VIEW VENUS NEAR SPICA MOON OCCULTS DOUBLE STAR AND, ASTRO-EXPO REPORT. Please call our 1550-111-442 Newsline every Monday for a new weekly message (U.K. dial 09001-88-1950). - David Moore P.S. Did anyone tape "Mars Rocks" on RTE TV last Tuesday (I came back from Clonmel too late!). Please email (click reply) if so. Note part 2 of BBC1 TV's "Space Odyssey: Voyage to the Planets" goes out tonight at 9pm, it's had mixed reviews so far. Astronomy Shop: Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat for ALL your astronomical needs -----------------------------------------

1 0

[Astronomy Ireland] Last reminder for Astro-Expo this weekend
by Astronomy Ireland 12 Nov '04

12 Nov '04

ASTRO-EXPO SAT & SUN NOV 13 & 14 D.C.U. (12noon-6pm) Astronomy Ireland's annual gathering of people from all around Ireland interested in space starts tomorrow (Saturday) at 12noon with a brief opening ceremony by the Lord Mayor of Dublin and Europe's top Astronaut at 12noon. It's important that as many of you as possible come along to show public officials and the media that Astronomy is something worth spending public funds to promote. The Astronaut will then give the first lecture of Astro-Expo at 1pm. You can meet him in person and ask questions at the Expo also! TELESCOPE PRICES SLASHED AT ASTRO-EXPO To celebrate the event our Astronomy Shop is slashing the price of telescopes ordered at the event: NexStar 60GT, 80GT, 114GT, and 4GT all 40% off! NexStar 11GPS and 8GPS are 25% off! (save up to 1,700euro!) 20% off all Firstscopes, and HD range of Celestron's too (see back cover of magazine for list). Christmas Deposits will be accepted and will secure these special prices. Not only this, but we will deliver them anywhere in Ireland FREE as a thank you for supporting Astronomy Ireland's annual gathering. There'll be loads more bargains (many at HALF PRICE!) too numerous to list here! Don't miss this super sale! LECTURES As well as the exhibition running for 2 days from 12-6pm there will be three brilliant lectures each day at 1pm, 3pm and 5pm. Full details are on www.astronomy.ie and our keynote speakers like Sir Isaac Newton, the Astronaut and Oisin MacConamhna (the Irish student who when on to study under Prof Stephen Hawking) would be worth travelling from the far end of the country to hear on their own, let alone 3 in one day! SATURDAY DINNER There are still tickets left for the A.I. Annual Dinner which is being open to everyone in Ireland. It's at 8pm on Saturday in the nearby Regency Hotel. A very special rate of just 25euro has been secured (an incredible offer for a Dublin Hotel and not to be missed I'm sure you'll agree). So we are hoping as many of you will take up the offer to meet the Astronaut, chat with our speakers, and say hello to some of the people who help run Astronomy Ireland, both at the Dinner and the 'socialising' afterwards. ADMISSION PRICES We have kept the prices deliberately low (or FREE!) so as many of you can attend as possible: Exhibition only: 3euro (FREE to students and children under 16!) Lectures: 5euro each Dinner: 25euro (book early as we have to tell Hotel the numbers) Planetarium shows: FREE! (There are also Day Passes available for 10euro which covers admission to ALL 3 Lectures that day AND the Exhibition - save 8euro) This is the biggest event we have ever organised so do please make the effort to get along, even if you have a busy schedule and can only spend a few minutes in the Exhibition (or just want to avail of the Shop discounts). You'll be glad you came along. NOTE: This event is aimed at members ALL AROUND Ireland, not just those living in Dublin and Leinster. The venue, D.C.U., is just ONE turn off the M50 and also well served by public transport. If you need accommodation to stay overnight there is a list on the Astro-Expo page on our website www.astronomy.ie I look forward to seeing you all there. Let's have fun! David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland. Tel (01) 847 0777

1 0

[Astronomy Ireland] Aurora, Sligo+Deansgrange, Astro-Expo Telescope Giveaway
by Astronomy Ireland 10 Nov '04

10 Nov '04

ASTRONOMY IRELAND MAILING LIST - www.astronomy.ie (The all-Ireland astronomy Club, Magazine and Shop) --------------------------------------------------- 1. AURORA AGAIN Just a quick report to keep you posted. There is another aurora predicted for tonight (Wed.). An explosion at 00:30 Wednesday is headed towards Earth. Last night very good displays were seen (where it was clear) until about 8pm. Then it died away to just a band of light in the north (see AI member Anthony Murphy's website that already has his photos online http://www.mythicalireland.com/astronomy/astrophotos/aurora2004.html) Monday was mostly clouded out but we had one positive sighting from Co. Cork. Lots of reports of a great show on Sunday night. Martin McKenna in Derry has seen the aurora all three nights in a row! So let's hope for more clear skies. After tonight, aurora are still likely for the rest of the week don't forget. See the link on our website to the NOAA site that shows the auroral activity over the north pole: www.astronomy.ie If you see or have seen the aurora make sure you send a brief report of what you saw to observe(a)astronomy.ie 2. SLIGO & DEANSGRANGE LECTURE "THE UNIVERSE" As it's National Science Week I'll be giving my slide show lecture "The Universe" around the country. I was at Presentation School in Clonmel Tuesday and on Thursday I'll be in the Institute of Technology in Sligo town at 7pm. I have 70 slides of the best spacecraft and telescope pictures with which to explain the entire universe in less than 60 minutes! It's a whistle stop tour of the Universe aimed at the general public. Come along and say hello and bring family and friends. It's free! I'll be giving the same talk in Deansgrange Library in Dublin tonight (Wed.) at 7:30pm. Sorry for the late notice it's been hectic here getting ready for Astro-Expo with all the bookings coming in from around the country even with the extra staff we have this week. 3. ASTRO-EXPO TELESCOPE GIVEAWAY For 2 days only, at Astro-Expo this weekend, we're slashing the prices on some of our telescopes. Celestron NexStar telescopes are reduced by up to 40% for example! Most Books and Slides are at HALF PRICE. Loads of other bargains too! ASTRO-EXPO this Saturday and Sunday 12pm-6pm in Dublin City University - very easy to get to from the M50 www.astronomy.ie/astroexpo2004.html By the way, if you got the Astro-Expo brochure in the post this week with the December issue of our magazine note that we forgot to put in the times of the lectures on Saturday and Sunday. From top to bottom they are at 1pm, 3pm and 5pm on each day. Sorry! See you there, and remember you MUST book the evening dinner (Saturday 8pm) IN ADVANCE if you want the special reduced rate of 25euro. I will be glad to introduce you to the astronaut, Oisin MacConamhna "Hawking's AI student", and Sir Isaac Newton at the dinner, so bring a camera if you want a photo! Everyone in Ireland will be travelling to Dublin for one or both days so make sure you don't miss it, and do come up to me and say hello. - David Moore -----------------------------------------

1 0

[Astronomy Ireland] More Aurora this week in the lead up to ASTRO-EXPO 2004
by Astronomy Ireland 08 Nov '04

08 Nov '04

The gods are smiling on us! The aurorae look set to continue ALL WEEK now, right up to our single biggest event ever, ASTRO-EXPO this Saturday & Sunday. Dr Peter Gallagher, an Irish man now working for NASA with the SOHO spacecraft (remember his packed out lecture to AI) tells us that "We're actually expecting large auroral displays tonight and for the next few days. The large sunspot group, called NOAA 10696, produced an X-class flare which accelerated lots of protons and electrons in our direction on Sunday. As the particles take a few days to get from the Sun to the Earth, we are expecting the most spectacular displays today and tonight. As the region is on the western side of the Sun, we can expect a few more "proton events" before the region rotates off the disk towards the end of the week. AI members may be interested in following the progress of NOAA 10696 at my website: www.solarmonitor.org". So, that means you should watch out for aurora EVERY NIGHT this week. Text 086 081 99 86 if you see it AND please email observe(a)astronomy.ie when you finish watching for our magazine report. More reports of last night's (Sunday) aurora have now come in from Cork and Galway (to add to the reports from Wicklow, Roscommon and Derry). Let's hope for better weather tonight and the coming nights. This is all great news as it's going to catapult ASTRO-EXPO this weekend in to the public eye. We have the biggest line-up of astronomy exhibits and lectures ever seen in Ireland. The Lord Mayor of Dublin will open the event on Saturday. The Exhibition covers 5,000 square feet and is completely filled by 25 exhibitors (slashing last year's record). Admission to the exhibition hall is only 3euro (students and children FREE). There are 3 major lectures aimed at the general public on both days at 1pm, 3pm, 5pm in a lecture hall next door. Speakers from the U.K. and Germany include: Europe's Head Astronaut flying in from Germany to give the opening talk. He flew on the Shuttle. Sir Isaac Newton (in person!) talking about his life and penchant for hanging people Stephen Hawking's Astronomy Ireland student on Cosmology for beginners Ireland's NEW survey for planets around other stars - we're about to lead the world. SpaceShip One & The X-Prize Robot Telescopes Exhibitors include: Portable Planetarium shows all day Our own Telescope Shop with HUGE discounts on most scopes, books etc (These prices are for Astro-Expo ONLY so if you want 40% off a NexStar you must come!) And lots more, far too much to mention. See our website. Ideally, you should reserve your places online at www.astronomy.ie and get all the discounts, but you can just turn up on the day and pay then. We've kept prices very low. The Astronaut, Isaac Newton, and Hawking's AI student will all be guests of honour at the Annual AI Dinner (some call it our Christmas Dinner) on Saturday 8pm in a nearby Hotel. Book NOW at the incredibly low price of just 25euro (note that only a few dinner tickets will be available on the day at 45euro as we have to tell the hotel numbers in advance). All welcome. Our aim at Astro-Expo is to give everyone in Ireland (Dubliners - you have no excuse!) a reason to come together once a year for a major event. Astro-Expo, every November, has achieved this so make sure you drop what you're doing and get along to the exhibition on one or both days from 12-6 and as many of the talks as possible. ASTRO-EXPO 2004: Dublin City University in "The Hub" Saturday & Sunday November 13 & 14 (noon to 6pm). All welcome. Details and bookings www.astronomy.ie Enjoy the aurora and every time you see it remember Astro-Expo is coming! P.S. There's loads happening this week: LEO ENRIGHT is our guest on the A.I. Radio Show Tuesday at 8pm, tune to 103.2FM. Leo has a TV show "Mars Rocks" that same night at 7pm on RTE 2! I'm giving a public lecture in Sligo Institute of Technology "The Universe" at 7pm. AI's Colm Cannon is speaking on "The Solar System": Tuesday 11am Dunboyne, 2pm Ashbourne, Wednesday 11am Dunshauglin, all in their public libraries. If you hear the A.I. radio show PLEASE email a reception report to radio(a)astronomy.ie please. Clear skies, David Moore.

1 0

[Astronomy Ireland] Bright Aurora over Ireland now (Sunday 9pm)
by Astronomy Ireland 07 Nov '04

07 Nov '04

ASTRONOMY IRELAND MAILING LIST - www.astronomy.ie (The all-Ireland astronomy Club, Magazine and Shop) --------------------------------------------------- Sunday November 7 at 9pm: Just as an email notification of possible major displays of the aurora came in to Astronomy Ireland, Peter Keogh in Delgany, Co. Wicklow called to say he had seen a brilliant display of the northern lights this evening (Sunday) with lots of different colours. It turns out that a major disturbance arrived at Earth at 6pm and there is a VERY GOOD CHANCE that anyone in Ireland with clear skies will see the aurora tonight! There is a large sunspot crossing the Sun for the next few days and we are warned that more aurora could be caused on future evenings too. If you see this aurora please immediately send a TEXT message to our special alert number 086 081 99 86, as always, and give your name, location and any brief comments. Then, as soon as possible later on when activity dies down or you finish observing, send a report to observe(a)astronomy.ie for publication in our magazine. Please tell everyone you know and let's get the whole country out sky watching tonight! P.S. Sir Patrick Moore presents "The Sky At Night" tonight on BBC 1 at 1:15am with studio guest Dr Don Pollacco who leads the team in Ireland (Belfast) searching for planets around other stars. It's called SuperWASP and there will be a feature lecture at the gargantuan Astro-Expo next weekend Nov. 13-14 by the SuperWASP team! Have you booked your place yet? Visit www.astronomy.ie/astroexpo2004.html if not for the most amazing event in Ireland this year! Everyone in Ireland will be there so don't be left out. Huge discounts on telescopes, books, slides and more! P.P.S. Those of you in the Leinster area should not forget the Public Lecture "PHOTOGRAPHING THE PLANETS" by the world's best planet photographer Damian Peach. It's at 8pm in Dublin City University on Monday November 8 and you are all invited. Damian came in to our Shop/office today at 4pm for the special workshop for those seriously interested in planet photography and blew our minds away with examples of his work! Come to the Public Lecture Monday and see his pictures and details of how he does it. Damian has flown in from the U.K. especially for you if you live in Leinster so please return the favour and come to his lecture in D.C.U. if you possibly can. Details and map: www.astronomy.ie/lecture0411.html Regards and Clear Skies, David Moore, Astronomy Ireland, A&S magazine, and our Shop. Tel (01) 847 0777 www.astronomy.ie/sub to join AI and get our monthly colour magazine, or simply post 40euro to P.O.Box 2888, Dublin 5.

1 0

[Astronomy Ireland] UK Public Lecture, Morning Conjunction, Magazine Help Please
by Astronomy Ireland 04 Nov '04

04 Nov '04

ASTRONOMY IRELAND MAILING LIST - www.astronomy.ie (The all-Ireland astronomy Club, Magazine and Shop) --------------------------------------------------- 1. LEINSTER AREA PUBLIC LECTURE "PHOTOGRAPHING THE PLANETS" No expense has been spared in bringing you one of the world's top experts at taking incredibly detailed pictures of the planets with amateur sized equipment. Damian Peach lives in the U.K. but once moved to the Canary Islands so he could get even better images. He use's 9 to 12-inch sized telescopes but produces images only beaten by space craft and space telescopes! His website is littered with stunning examples www.damianpeach.com and there is a feature article with many of his images in print for you to collect in the November issue of our magazine (www.astronomy.ie/sub to get a copy for just 5euro). It's the cover story this month. Thanks to the British Council Damian is going to be in Dublin on Monday November 8 to show his pictures of Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars. Amazingly, he even has images showing detail on the surfaces or Jupiter's moons! He will also explain how amateurs can help monitor these planets and their atmospheres for events which professional astronomers cannot keep up with. Although Cassini is imaging Saturn for the next 4 years there was no spacecraft before that and once Cassini is gone it will be down to amateurs again so professionals are asking amateurs to study Saturn while Cassini is active so they can make use of future amateur images. Damian is co-ordinating this activity for the Cassini project. He will also explain what all the features in his planetary images are as they are lot more than just pretty pictures and it's remarkable how much can be gleaned by an expert like Damian and you'll learn too. He will also explain how any of you with a small telescope and an inexpensive webcam can start out on this path. It's remarkable easy. I started 'webcamming' in the last year and it is very easy to get great results on the first nights. Webcam astronomy is growing very fast amongst amateurs and for just over 100euro you can get the best camera and an adapter for your telescope and start producing results like you'll see on www.damianpeach.com and the November issue of A&S. See the Gallery pages of our magazine every month for the best IRISH planet photos we have ever received. Call our Shop on 01-8470777 for details and to order the Philips ToUcam Pro II which is the recommended webcam. We have them in stock and can advise you as you learn. So whether you like pretty pictures, studying the planets, or even taking your own photos you will not want to miss this world class speaker on Monday November 8 in Dublin City University (easy access from the M50 or city centre so everyone in Leinster can easily get along). It's at 8pm in the Henry Grattan Building lecture theatre CG12 and everyone is welcome. Bring a friend as well. Admission is 5euro (3euro to concessions: members, under 18s, students, unwaged, pensioners). You can book seats by replying to this email or visit http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture0411.html where you'll see some photos and details. Damian is flying in from the U.K. to give this talk so we are hoping you will all return the favour and make the effort to get along to his talk. You won't be disappointed! Experts: If you are a member of A.I. and experienced in webcam imaging already then Damian has kindly agreed to give a Workshop in our Dublin Shop on Sunday at 4pm. Reply to this email for further details. Our sincere thanks go to the British Council for their support in organising this major event. 2. THE MORNING SKY IS ABLAZE! Wasn't Saturn a fantastic sight next to the Moon last night? (See diagram page 23 November A&S magazine.) But, as I alerted you previously, the view of Venus blazing above brilliant Jupiter this morning was fantastic!!! They were just 1 degree apart with Venus just above Jupiter. They'll be a little closer (0.6degree or one Moon diameter) tomorrow morning (Friday Nov. 5) and WELL WORTH WATCHING for several days after that as they slowly pull apart. Set your alarm for about 6am. All you need is the naked eye (but I could see Jupiter's moons in binoculars and a small scope so use them too if you have them). Please read the feature piece I wrote on 28 of the November magazine. It's packed full of details I can't go in to here and a diagram. This is one of the brightest and best planetary conjunctions of the decade. Anyone with a digital camera (even a mobile phone camera?) can try to snap this. Email your photos to gallery(a)astronomy.ie And don't forget those giant sunspots (in the last email) which did not cause a major aurora yet, but could do so (I'll email if they do!). Jupiter-Moon conjunction Tuesday and rest of next week's superb conjunctions - see magazine! 3. HELP WITH MAGAZINE (FOR ASTRO-EXPO) Lots of you (from as far away as U.K.!) have already booked for the 2-day ASTRO-EXPO the weekend after next (www.astronomy.ie/astroexpo2004.html) We have a final mailshot about Astro-Expo going out in the post with the December issue of our magazine but we need your help. We have to pack about 3,000 magazines tomorrow (Friday) from 9:30am until late that night. If you live near our Shop/office in Artane, Dublin 5 and you think a non-profit group like A.I. is doing a good job, then can you give a little back and spare an hour or two to help us get the December issue out to everyone in Ireland, most of whom we hope will be coming to Astro-Expo Nov. 13-14 (book NOW at the website above and do try to get along to the Dinner with the astronaut)! P.S. the Lord Mayor will be opening Astro-Expo this year. We need magazine helpers Friday (Nov. 5) from 10am to 10pm. Just reply to this email please. I hope to see everyone in Ireland (and abroad) who is interested in astronomy at Astro-Expo, and everyone from the Leinster area at Monday's lecture (and a few of you from Dublin tomorrow to help pack the magazine - thank you in anticipation). - David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland. www.astronomy.ie

1 0