January 2005 - astronomy@lists.redbrick.dcu.ie

[Astronomy Ireland] "Inside Einstein's Universe", Calendar
by Astronomy Ireland 31 Jan '05

31 Jan '05

Einstein is very popular this week. I have 2 radio interviews, there's a public lecture, and the Irish Independent are running a piece some day this week (please email me when you see it). I'll be talking on air (and via the net www.newstalk106.ie) on Monday morning to Orla Barry and probably also about Einstein when I'm in studio with Pat Kenny later that morning (see calendar below). The reason? It's Einstein Year as 2005 is the 100th anniversary of Einstein's "Miracle Year" when, as a complete unknown aged only 26, he published 3 major papers on relativity, the photoelectric effect and Brownian motion which were to have profound effects on our understanding of the universe. He added his famous equation E=MC^2 later that year too! The radio shows and our own April Lecture about Einstein's life are detailed in the Calendar below, but this week the Institute of Physics in Ireland and the RDS are running a lecture "Inside Einstein's Universe" in Dublin twice on Tuesday at 2pm and 4pm, and then on Wednesday at 4pm in Queens University Belfast. Dr Ciaran Byrne (RDS) kindly provides these: The talk is aimed at school students specifically transition years but it is geared such that anyone will understand. no prior knowledge of physics is required. Also members of the general public and indeed anyone interested in this topic are welcome to attend. The Lecturer Simon Steel is an astronomer and education specialists at the Harvard-Smithsonian Centre for Astrophysics in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Working with NASA and its space missions he studies the deepest mysteries of our universe, where it came from, how it is evolving and where we as living beings fit in. Simon obtained his Ph.D. at University College Dublin, after studying at Sussex and Oxford Universities in England. He was born and grew up in London and has the misfortune of supporting Tottenham Hotspur. Although Simon claims no Irish roots, he does boast two Irish descendants, his Dublin born Children Conor & Aisling. The Lecture - "Inside Einstein's Universe" Almost a century ago, Albert Einstein created a new way to look at space and time that made three predictions so bizarre, even Einstein himself refused to believe they were real. Now, at the beginning of the 21st Century we find that the three ideas: the big bang, black holes and dark energy, are the greatest discoveries of modern astronomy. This talk will go beyond Einstein's, to see how this idea let us explore the origin of our universe and ultimately, the origin of ourselves. Places can be booked for Dublin by contacting Dr. Ciaran Byrne on 01-2407217 or e-mail ciaran.byrne(a)rds.ie and there is a nominal charge of EUR2 per lecture. And with Prof Bob McCullough in Belfast at 028-90273541 price £1.50. CALENDAR OF COMING EVENTS: MON 31 JAN 9:30AM: Newstalk 106FM Orla Barry talks to David Moore about Einstein Year 2005, the man & AI's April lecture (see below) MON 31 JAN 11AM: RTE RADIO 1 Pat Kenny talks to David Moore about AI's Evening Classes and more... Titan? Einstein? TUE 01 FEB 2PM & 4PM: "Inside Einstein's Universe" Lecture in RDS. See above TUE 01 FEB 8PM: "ASTRONOMY IRELAND RADIO SHOW" on Anna Livia 103.2FM (on AI's website few days later) WED 01 FEB 4PM: "Inside Einstein's Universe" Lecture in Q.U.B. See above WED 02 FEB: AI's EVENING CLASSES IN ASTRONOMY begin in DCU. Book http://www.astronomy.ie/eveningclass.html THU 03 FEB: Irish Times article about CASSINI-HUYGENS lecture in February (see below) MON 14 FEB 8pm: "CASSINI-HUYGENS MISSION TO SATURN" by Cassini scientist Prof Carl Murray. Book http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture0502.html MON 11 APR 8PM: Einstein Lecture: details and bookings: http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture0504.html Do tune in to my to Monday morning interviews either on the airwaves or on the net www.newstalk106.ie and http://www.rte.ie/radio1/ and don't forget we'll be on air again on Tuesday night at 8pm on Ireland's only astronomy show on radio (see Feb 1 in the calendar above). David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland www.astronomy.ie Tel (01) 847 0777 for all your astronomical needs

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[Astronomy Ireland] Correction to Evening Classes, Other Media Interviews, BBC Horizon, Newsline
by Astronomy Ireland 28 Jan '05

28 Jan '05

1. ASTRONOMY EVENING CLASSES FOR BEGINNERS Several of you spotted the mistake in the "Press Notice" I included about our Evening Classes in my last email. There should be NO mention of Thursdays. The Classes ALL take place on a WEDNESDAY evening in D.C.U. My apologies for that mistake. So if you are free on Wednesdays go ahead and book the classes online at www.astronomy.ie More news about my interview with Pat Kenny on RTE Radio 1 on Monday (Jan. 31) about the Evening Classes, and all matters astronomical: it looks like it will be on in the second half of the show after the 11am news. Do tune in! 2. OTHER MEDIA INTERVIEWS Those of you in the Leinster area can tune in to Newstalk 106 FM on Monday morning also (it's going to be a busy day!) when I'll be interviewed around 9:30am about 2005 being EINSTEIN YEAR. We'll be talking about his life and work as well as the Public Lecture we have about Einstein on April 11, for which you can book your places now at http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture0504.html If you're outside Dublin the Irish Independent interviewed me also for an Einstein feature they are running next week! Not sure what day they'll run it as news stories can change their plans so email info(a)astronomy.ie if you see it. Finally, THE IRISH TIMES will run a piece about Astronomy Ireland on February 3. It's to announce that our February lecture by the CASSINI-HUYGENS MISSION TO SATURN scientist, Prof Carl Murray, is being run in association with the Irish Times. These events usually sell out quickly so as an advance warning, go to http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture0502.html and book your seat now if you have not already done so. You'll see the new IRISH TIMES logo there too! 3. BBC HORIZON Speaking of Einstein the second part of the BBC 2 docudrama about Einstein was transmitted last night but you can see it repeated at 9:55pm on BBC 2 on Saturday (Jan. 29) 4. NEWSLINE Don't forget everything to see in the sky this week and the latest news is on our 1550-111-442 Newsline every week. This weekend watch out for the Moon passing very close to Jupiter in particular, and the return of Comet Machholz. Here's the full of the headlines for this week, call the number for details: MORE DETAILS RELEASED ABOUT TITAN; JUPITER AND SATURN NEAR MOON; COMET MACHHOLZ FREE FROM MOONLIGHT; AND, INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION VISIBLE. SALE ENDS! And finally, with January coming to a close don't forget that our JANUARY SALE ends soon!!! So drop in or call tomorrow SATURDAY from noon until 6pm for the best bargains like: 50% off most books!!! 40% off the NexStar GT range of 'go to' telescopes from Celestron and bargains galore.... - David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland www.astronomy.ie www.astronomy.ie/sub to join AI and get our monthly colour magazine. Or simply post 40euro to P.O.Box 2888, Dublin 5.

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[Astronomy Ireland] Evening Classes on Today with Pat Kenny
by Astronomy Ireland 27 Jan '05

27 Jan '05

Astronomy Ireland's Evening Classes for beginners start next week on Wednesday February 2nd in Dublin City University. With all the interest in the Cassini-Huygens Mission and the landing on Titan 2 weeks ago I will be interviewed by Pat Kenny on RTE Radio 1 on Monday (Jan 31) about recent events and the Evening Classes, details of which are below. The "Today with Pat Kenny show goes out on Monday between 10am and 12noon, with my slot probably in the second half of the show. Do plan to tune in and get your booking in before the rush Monday will generate. Below is the text of the Press Notice issued by our Administrator Tom Finnegan for the classes, which explains everything. You can book 24 hours a day on www.astronomy.ie or call the Shop on (01) 847 0777. (Or post a cheque to P.O.Box 2888, Dublin 5) As ADVANCE booking IS necessary. Classes only cost 120euro (which includes membership of AI and a year's subscription to our magazine, worth 40euro!). Members rate is just 80euro. Excellent value we think as typically courses like this are 150euro and DO NOT include a magazine subscription! We had excellent feedback from previous attendees at our classes, so we're sure you'll enjoy them. PRESS NOTICE: 26/01/05 "OUT OF THIS WORLD EVENING CLASSES AT ASTRONOMY IRELAND" You have all seen the recent fascinating pictures from Titan, an alien world hundreds of millions of miles away. Why not learn more about the Universe in which we live? Suitable and simple enough for everyone to understand. No knowledge of maths required! Classes start Wednesday February 2 and run for 10 weeks every Thursday (7:30pm to 9:30pm) in Dublin City University, Dublin 9. Given by Astronomy Ireland's Course Directors. Each class lasts for two hours with a 10-15 minute break. The style is informal and questions are very much encouraged. There is no mathematical content and the course is designed for the beginner. The course has been designed to give the student a solid foundatio n in astronomy allowing them to appreciate the night sky. Course Content: Introduction to Night Sky The Sun & the Moon The Inner Planets The Outer Planets The Stars History Telescopes Deep Sky Objects Cosmology What to do next Further information and booking www.astronomy.ie or call (01) 847 0777 Venue: Dublin City University, Collins Avenue, Dublin 9 - easy access from city centre or M50. Issued by: Thomas Finnegan --- end ---

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[Astronomy Ireland] The BIG Space Debate on RTE (today and tomorrow)
by Astronomy Ireland 24 Jan '05

24 Jan '05

[DM: Just back from RTE. Apologies for not notifying you over the weekend about the show I was just on but I had severe computer problems all weekend which only got sorted minutes before I left for RTE.] RTE 1 television's daytime flagship show THE BIG BITE hosted by David McWilliams invited a group of us to debate life in the universe prompted by the Titan landing pictures released over the past few days. The show aired at 2:25pm with our 20 minute or so section going out around 2:45pm on RTE 1. I did not know until I arrived that Irish Times columnist Kevin Myers would be there and would debate his 'SPACE EXPLORATION IS A WASTE OF MONEY' viewpoint with Leo Enright, Prof Susan McKenna-Lawlor and myself. He passionately espoused his ideas that we are wasting money on missions like Cassini-Huygens! Just as he did in his Irish Times column a few weeks ago. Kevin Myers also had a similar debate with Leo Enright on Morning Ireland on RTE RADIO 1's Morning Ireland on January 18 which you can still listen to at: http://www.rte.ie/news/2005/0118/morningireland/morningireland10a.smil Do you think Myers is right or Enright, McKenna-Lawlor and I? Please reply to this email and CC it to thebigbite(a)rte.ie and we'll see what you all really think. Oh, and we did get around to discussing life in the universe in which Betty Meyler of the Irish UFO Society also joined in. P.S. The I.S.S. is visible for 3 more evenings blazing across the sky i.e. until Wednesday inclusive (call 1550-111-442 doe predictions) And finally, you can see the above BIG BITE show repeated on RTE 1 TV at 8:10am tomorrow morning (Jan. 25). Set your video at least and get emailing! - David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland www.astronomy.ie NEW YEAR SALE NOW ON! Astronomy Shop: Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat for ALL your astronomical needs www.astronomy.ie/map.html www.astronomy.ie/sub to join AI and get our monthly colour magazine. Or simply post 40euro to P.O.Box 2888, Dublin 5.

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[Astronomy Ireland] Horizon, Titan Conference Online, Pleiades, I.S.S. seen, Aurora
by Astronomy Ireland 20 Jan '05

20 Jan '05

1. BBC 2 TV 9pm Horizon - Einstein "Docudrama about how Einstein spent the last years of his life trying to produce a theory to disprove the implications of much of his earlier work." 2005 is Einstein Year Internationally (as well as Hamilton Year in Ireland www.hamilton2005.ie) and Astronomy Ireland also has a lecture on Einstein's life on April 11, which you can book now: http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture0504.html 2. TITAN PRESS CONFERENCE ON NASA TV E.S.A. is holding a Press Conference at 10am Irish Time on Friday morning which is being carried live on NASA TV which you can watch on the net: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv The press release (quite interesting) is at: http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM15Y71Y3E_index_0.html Some of the satellite TV news channels may carry the press conference too if you don't have access to the net. After one week we should get some really great images and analysis of exactly what Titan is like so I for one will definitely be tuning in! We'll have a full round up, with pictures, in the next issue of our magazine. And don't forget that we have a Cassini scientist in the flesh coming to Ireland on Feb. 14 so book your tickets NOW if you haven't already done so for the very latest news from Saturn: http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture0502.html 3. Pleiades next to Moon As announced in the January issue of our magazine (and on this week's Newsline) the Moon was extremely close to the Pleiades last night. We won't get to see it this close again until April 11 (curiously, the night of our Einstein lecture!). If you saw it email us on observe(a)astronomy.ie and send any photos too. Check the HIGHLIGHTS box in the Sky Diary pages every month for more events like this, or tune in to the Newsline every week. 4. I.S.S. SEEN NEAR MOON! Ian Russell, watched the International Space Station from Dromiskin in Co. Louth (5 miles south of Dundalk) in moderately clear skies on Jan. 18 when it was due to pass in front of the Moon from Co. Louth (see my previous email). He writes "Around 18.30 it began to cloud over a bit, but the moon remained bright and vivid throughout, even though no stars very visible at that time. Then shortly after 6:34pm the ISS came into view moving quite quickly from right to left and passed about a half moon diameter above or north of the moons edge, and passed quickly out of site. The ISS was very bright and could clearly be made out through the hazy cloud, even though I couldn't make out any stars. Just the moon and the ISS. It was great to see. Thanks for the notification." I.S.S. continues to fly over every night until Jan. 26 and often near the Moon. I am updating our Newsline with predictions every day by 12 noon for that evening, including where to see I.S.S. pass in front of the Moon! I was on RTE 1 TV's THE AFTERNOON SHOW today explaining that the time to see I.S.S. tonight is 5:56pm. More details every day on the Newsline: 1550-111-442. Please call and tell your friends. 5. BIG AURORA DUE TONIGHT The weather continues to thwart seeing the aurora that IS happening over Ireland. Martin McKenna in Co. Derry spotted the aurora at 5:17am this morning and Dr Peter Gallagher writes to tell us a huge X7.9 flare (colossal event) happened today and the Earth-Sun magnetic fields are nicely connected so a major aurora is likely tonight and tomorrow night. Let's hope the clouds part soon. TEXT 086 081 99 86 and email observe(a)astronomy.ie as usual if you see anything. David Moore, Astronomy Ireland www.astronomy.ie

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[Astronomy Ireland] ISS near Moon!, Aurora, AI Radio Show tonight
by Astronomy Ireland 18 Jan '05

18 Jan '05

----------------------------------------------------- ASTRONOMY IRELAND MAILING LIST - www.astronomy.ie (Ireland's National Astronomy Club, Magazine and Shop) --------------3,000 members and growing-------------- 1. See International Space Station (Jan 15-26) and Moon Transit! The I.S.S. can be seen from Ireland tonight at 6:34pm high in the sky, passing near the Moon (newcomers: it looks like a very bright 'star' cross the sky for a couple of minutes). On board are Leroy Chiao and Salizhan Sharipov. Anyone living near a line running from Castlebar (Co. Mayo) to Dundalk (Co. Louth) will get to see the extremely rare sight of I.S.S. passing in front of the Moon! Those of us south of this line will see I.S.S. above the Moon and anyone north of the line will see I.S.S. pass below the Moon. We will all get to see ISS pass NEAR the Moon at 6:34pm and we want to hear your comments so please email observe(a)astronomy.ie I.S.S. will pass by the Moon on several more nights in the coming week. We'll be issuing details of the time to watch (different every night) and the path where I.S.S. can be seen crossing the Moon on our Newslines so call 1550-111-442 (calls cost 95c/min, from UK call 09001 88 1950 cost 60p/min). More details of tonight's event are on the Newsline now along with details of the Titan images last week and Titan lecture (book here http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture0502.html) Moon extremely close to Pleiades, ISS orbit boosted, and Saturn near the Moon. Do call 1550-111-442 every week for the latest news and every day after 12 noon for the time to see I.S.S. that night. 2. MORE AURORA The aurora predicted for last night was almost certainly going on in the skies over Ireland, but the clouds prevented any viewing and no reports have been received. The aurora is predicted to be active again tonight (Tuesday) and the result of yet another powerful X-class explosion yesterday is expected to enhance activity even further tonight (and probably continue tomorrow night) so keep an eye out. The Moon will spoil the view a little and does not set until 3:30am but don't let that stop you and be read as night falls. Remember to take a look at the giant sunspot (one of the biggest ever seen) that is causing all these explosions but ONLY if you have safe ASTROSOLAR FILTERS (order from our Shop, details below). Please text 086 081 99 86 if you see an aurora, giving you name and location. Then please email a fuller report to observe(a)astronomy.ie 3. AI RADIO SHOW (Tuesdays at 8pm) Those in the Leinster area can tune in to 103.2FM tonight for our weekly astronomy radio show on Anna Livia Radio. Or check the "Radio Show" link on www.astronomy.ie We'll have details of all the above (ISS+Moon, Aurora, Moon+Pleiades, Planets, Comets) and lots more besides, especially the Titan Landing! Please email radio(a)astronomy.ie NOW if you have any questions about Titan, ISS, Comets or anything else! - David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland www.astronomy.ie NEW YEAR SALE NOW ON! Astronomy Shop: Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat for ALL your astronomical needs www.astronomy.ie/map.html www.astronomy.ie/sub to join AI and get our monthly colour magazine. Or simply post 40euro to P.O.Box 2888, Dublin 5.

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[Astronomy Ireland] Aurora alert, Comet Watches, I.S.S. visible near Moon!
by Astronomy Ireland 16 Jan '05

16 Jan '05

----------------------------------------------------- ASTRONOMY IRELAND MAILING LIST - www.astronomy.ie (Ireland's National Astronomy Club, Magazine and Shop) --------------3,000 members and growing-------------- 1. AURORA SUNDAY AND MONDAY NIGHTs A huge sunspot appeared on the Sun last week and has grown to the size of Jupiter! On Jan. 15th it caused two M8 and X2 class explosions that have sent material hurtling toward Earth. They are expected to cause aurora on Sunday night and Monday night (Jan. 16-17), maybe even Tuesday. Unusually, a LOW LATITUDE activity watch has been issued so a strong aurora is expected. As usual, if you see anything please immediately TEXT your name and location to 086 081 99 86 (store this in your phone permanently!) and then email a more detailed report to observe(a)astronomy.ie for any report we may publish in our magazine. Send photos there too! If you bought AstroSolar filter from our Shop (for your eyes, binoculars, or telescope) do take a look at this rare giant sunspot over the next few days (it will have rotated out of view by next weekend). NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN UNLESS YOU HAVE ASTROSOLAR FILTERS! An A4 size sheet costs only 29.95euro. You can also see the giant sunspot on the net at the SOHO website: http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime/mdi_igr/512/ (click on image for larger version) To see a movie of this spot growing remarkably click: http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime/mpeg/ then click the "512x512" or "256x256" below the "MDI" image for a large/small movie!!! 2. COMET WATCHES We had a mixture of weather at our 11 Comet Watches all around Ireland last Thursday. The Dublin Watch was the biggest with over a hundred people there. Skies were mostly clear and everyone got to see not only Comet Machholz (still a fine sight in binoculars - I saw a 1 degree tail last night from light polluted Dublin!) but also Saturn at opposition and Titan 'live' which was to be the scene of those incredible landing photos the following night (see the 3 website links under "Cassini at Saturn" on www.astronomy.ie for latest news). An amazing night! Cork was clouded out. Donegal had good skies. A fuller report will appear in our magazine in a few weeks. In total we raised around 1,000 euro for the Irish Red Cross Tsunami Appeal. Visitors were very generous, hopefully inspired by the views they had. Well done to all our volunteers nationwide. 3. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION You can now see I.S.S. every night until January 26. On board are astronauts Leroy Chiao and Salizhan Sharipov who have been in space for 3 months and have 3 more months to go. I.S.S. looks like a very bright 'star' to the naked eye, brighter than all the real stars in the sky. It moves from right to left across the sky (West to East) usually passing high in the South. You'll only see it for a couple of minutes each night as it silently crosses the sky. The time to watch is different each evening so please call our Newsline on 1550-111-442 after 12 noon each day to get the exact time to watch that night (calls cost 95c/min, in U.K. dial 09001-88 1950 at 60p/min). It costs less than a euro/pound to hear the prediction and proceeds help us fund our organisation. This series of passes will be specially interesting because the Moon is in the evening sky. Last night 3 of us took a break from packing the February issue of our magazine for the post and watched I.S.S. pass less than one Moon diameter below the Moon at 6:43pm! An amazing sight! Anyone 16 miles South of our Shop would have seen I.S.S. pass in front of the Moon, that's roughly along a line from Greystones to Athy, and beyond. On the Newslines we'll indicate where future Moon transits are likely! Call 1550-111-442 (09001-88 1950 in U.K.) Jan 14 to 26. - David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland www.astronomy.ie NEW YEAR SALE NOW ON! Astronomy Shop: Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat for ALL your astronomical needs www.astronomy.ie/map.html www.astronomy.ie/sub to join AI and get our monthly colour magazine. Or simply post 40euro to P.O.Box 2888, Dublin 5.

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[Astronomy Ireland] 11 Comet Watches for Tsunami Appeal, Titan Landing, Deep Impact
by Astronomy Ireland 13 Jan '05

13 Jan '05

1. COMET+SATURN WATCHES NATION-WIDE Astronomy Ireland will be holding no less than 11 Comet Watches all around Ireland on Thursday January 13 to view the new Comet Machholz. As well as giving the general public a view of the brightest comet in several years, donations will be collected in aid of the Irish Red Cross Asia Disaster Fund. There will be telescopes and binoculars at each event kindly brought along by members of Astronomy Ireland for everyone to use to support this worthy cause. As well as the comet the planet Saturn is closest to Earth this week and will be in the news on Friday when the Huygens probe performs the most distant spacecraft landing ever attempted in history on Saturn's moon Titan. One of the highlights of the 3 billion dollar Cassini mission to Saturn, and the subject of our February Lecture by its chief UK scientist. Go to http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture0502.html and book now to get the facts 'straight from the horse's mouth'! At each Comet Watch the telescopes will easily show Saturn with its beautiful rings and also the moon Titan. Comet Machholz remains visible to the naked eye (very rare for a comet). Last night I estimated it to be magnitude 4.0 with a 1 degree tail even from the brightly lit suburbs of Dublin. Bring your own binoculars and we'll show you how to locate the comet. The comet's head is now being estimated at half a million kilometres wide and the tail is several million km long. Comet Machholz will remain on view throughout January and in to February. Although it is nearest the Sun on Jan. 24 light from the Moon will interfere after Thursday so January 13 is perhaps the very best date to see the comet. Here is the latest list of venues from our website www.astronomy.ie. Pick the Comet+Saturn Watch nearest you and go along to support the Tsunami Appeal: *Comet Watch locations nationwide* Dublin - Phoenix Park, car park at Papal Cross - Tom Finnegan (086) 8105155 Co. Clare - Kilmihil - Angus Sealy (087) 2308428 Castlebar - Ballyvarry N.S - Paul Gannon (087) 2595400 Co. Donegal - Letterkenny - Seamus Byron (087) 2203312 Cork - EVTC Ltd, Carrigaline Industrial Park - Martin Lynch (087) 2404104*Note Venue Change* Co. Tipperary - Clonmel, Mountain Road viewing point - Ray Parle (052)21892 Carlow - Killerig Golf Club - Gerry Moloney (087) 9184000 Dundalk - Derek Watters (086) 0806908 Waterford - Ballygunner School - Liam Walsh (087)2329130 Wexford - Community Centre, Rosslare Strand - Oliver Gargan (086)3592956 Co. Roscommon - Boyle, Horseman Viewing Point - Betty Meyler 086 8341218 *** All start at 8pm and EVERYONE is welcome *** (A.I. members reading this may like to offer help to each of the above Co-Ordinators on the night.) 2. TITAN LANDING ON BBC 2 Conor O'Brien pointed out that "the Titan mission is being covered live on BBC2 on Friday night. 'Stardate: Mission to Titan' on Fri 14 Jan, 23:30 - 00:30. Live coverage from Mission Control in Germany of today's attempt to land Europe's Huygens probe on Titan, one of Saturn's moons, described as the most earth-like object in the solar system." 3. DEEP IMPACT carries hundreds of AI members' names to Comet Tempel 1! NASA's comet collision mission 'DEEP IMPACT' (see Jan 2004 and February 2005 issues of A&S magazine) was successfully launched Wednesday evening as you may have seen in the news. I know lots of you took up the offer in the January 2004 issue of our magazine last year (page 11) to send your name to a comet! I entered "Astronomy Ireland" as well as my own name to the list of 500,000 now safely in space, until they hurtle in to the comet at 23,000mph on July 4 at 7am BST (daylight in Ireland so we'll not see it). http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2005-015 for more info or Wednesday's Irish Independent! Please forward this email to everyone you know so they can support the Irish Red Cross Asia Disaster Fund and see a Comet and Saturn! - 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. Tel (01) 847 0777. Website: www.astronomy.ie

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[Astronomy Ireland] New Year Public Lecture 7pm, Cassini-Huygens Lecture, Calendar
by Astronomy Ireland 10 Jan '05

10 Jan '05

Astronomy Ireland's New Year Public Lecture "William Rowan Hamilton (1805 -1865) Ireland's Greatest Mathematician" will take place tonight in Dunsink Observatory, Castleknock, Dublin 15 where Hamilton was Director for nearly 40 years. This is our first event to celebrate the government marking 2005 as HAMILTON YEAR (see feature article on his life in our January issue - cover story) As a service to the majority of our members who live outside county Dublin, and because this Lecture is SOLD OUT, it will be videotaped and made available on our website www.astronomy.ie see "lecture webcasts" in due course. The Christmas Lecture by Dr Allan Chapman is already online, and a higher quality DVD will be available soon. The current Director of Dunsink Observatory, Prof Evert Meurs, has kindly agreed to open the Observatory at 7pm so you can look around the facility for one hour before the lecture begins. SOLD OUT Please note that this lecture and venue proved extremely popular and all tickets have been allocated. If you did not buy/book a ticket then you will not be able to get in. Sorry. In fact, we have a waiting list for possible cancellations, so if you have booked a place but cannot come then please reply to this email now and let us know. BOOK NOW for our next lecture: CASSINI-SATURN MISSION On Friday (Jan 14) the Huygens probe will land on Titan in an event which is sure to dominate the world news as the 3 billion dollar mission attempts the most distant landing ever in the history of space exploration. Cassini-Huygens is a joint American-European venture and the leader of the European side Prof Carl Murray will fly to Dublin on February 14 to give the very latest news and images from Cassini at Saturn. You probably have seen him on TV many times, including Patrick Moore's Sky At Night earlier this month. We are very lucky that Prof Murray will be taking time out from what must be a very busy and exciting time to come to Ireland to tell us the very latest of the landing and the mission. This is sure to be an extremely popular lecture so please book your tickets NOW at http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture0502.html which also has links to the stunning photos being returned (the latest pictures of the moon Iapetus are incredible, it looks like two hemispheres that someone welded together!) or email lecture(a)astronomy.ie saying how many tickets you want (5euro non-members, 3euro members) This lecture will be held in Dublin City University as usual, at 8pm Feb 14. All Welcome. PLEASE BOOK NOW. CALENDAR: Mon Jan 10 - A.I. NEW YEAR LECTURE at Dunsink Observatory 8pm Tue Jan 11 - A.I. Radio Show at 8pm 103.2FM Wed Jan 12 - Astronauts to speak in Trinity College www.ria.ie Thu Jan 13 - COMET WATCHES for Tsunami Appeal www.astronomy.ie Thu-Sat Jan 13-15 - A.I. Stand at Young Scientists www.esatys.com Fri Jan 14 - Huygens lands on Titan, www.astronomy.ie Sat Jan 15 - January Sale continues at Astronomy Shop (up to 50% off) Don't forget Comet Machholz every clear night also! You can now book online for our Evening Class starting Feb 2. - 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.

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[Astronomy Ireland] Comet Machholz Sightings, Tsunami Appeal
by Astronomy Ireland 08 Jan '05

08 Jan '05

----------------------------------------------------- ASTRONOMY IRELAND MAILING LIST - www.astronomy.ie (Ireland's National Astronomy Club, Magazine and Shop) --------------3,000 members and growing-------------- I simply had to share this report from Martin McKenna who has dark rural Irish skies! Last night after most of our Comet Watches all around Ireland were washed out by the storm, the clouds miraculously parted, at least over Leinster and several of us got to see the Comet at its closest (about 2 degrees) to the Pleiades - an amazing sight in 10x50B with both tails visible, even from the suburbs of Dublin. Unforgettable. Martin saw the Comet a few days earlier and sent this report: Hi David! Observed comet Q2 Machholz on the night of 5/6.1.04 at 00.28 with the naked eye. Q2 was 5* below open cluster M45, a striking sight, the only bright object in that area. After very good dark adaption i could make out the ion tail as a beautiful neon blue streak pointing to the NE 5 degrees long to the E of the Pleiades. The tail was broad as it left the coma and decreaed in diameter with distance until it ended in a point. This was an incredible sight! I reckoned that the tail would pass over or close to M45 in the days ahead, todays image of the comet on www.spaceweather.com shows the ion tail touching the reflection nebula around the star Merope. On 2 occasions i also suspected i briefly glimpsed the dust tail as a thin grey streak to the SE. With the naked eye the coma is large, grey,cirular and well condensed however through 10X50 binos it was a fantastic green, elongated and sporting lovely long blue streamers at various position angles from the the central condensation. Comet is a real treat, we are so lucky to see it high in the evening sky as it approaches perihelion. Most bright comets stay close to the sun, visible only in the twilight skirting the horizon leaving a short window for observation but this guy is visible until the early hours of the morning giving many people time to get a decent look. I was able to introduce a friend to the comet who has never been interested in astronomy before, i told him to look below the 7 sisters and he spotted the comet right away with the naked eye which amazed him, he commented how people in the nearby passing cars had no idea that there was a new visitor sitting in the sky so bright. This comet is a great way of getting new people interested in astronomy. Mag:3.7 Dia:30' DC:6/ Ion tail 5* NE Dust tail 50' SE (16" Reflector) *Also seen a tumbling naked eye satellite pass in front of the false nucleus! Martin Mc Kenna Now, you don't have to have as much equipment or send in as detailed a report but even if you see the comet with the naked eye do email us at observe(a)astronomy.ie with your name, location and a description in your own words so we can include your sighting in our report. Those of you who want to go further can read some notes I put online about observing comets at: http://astronomy.ie/dm/observingcomets.rtf And here's a few photos from around the internet to make you gasp: http://spaceweather.com/swpod2005/08jan05/candy.jpg http://www.astrostudio.at/Astrofotos/aufnahme.php?a_id=347&page=1&kategorie… http://www.spaceweather.com/swpod2005/07jan05/rudz.jpg If you see any other really nice ones please let me know. COMET WATCH JANUARY 13 IN AID OF TSUNAMI VICTIMS We have decided to use dedicate the Comet Watches (11 so far) running all around Ireland next January 13 to raise funds for the Tsunami victims. For details of the Watch nearest you see www.astronomy.ie and bring as many people along as you can. - 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.

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