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

[Astronomy Ireland] Star-B-Q
by Astronomy Ireland 27 Apr '05

27 Apr '05

FREE Hubble Space Telescope DVD at this weekend's Star-B-Q Book online here: www.astronomy.ie/sbq Ireland's biggest annual gathering of telescopes is set for Friday night April 29. Astronomy Ireland invites EVERYONE in Ireland to come and look through the most powerful portable telescopes in the country at a special barbecue under the stars we call STAR-B-Q Hundreds of you have already booked tickets but we can cater for many more so have a read of the line up below and gather a group of family and friends for a night out under the stars you will never forget! The event kicks off at 9pm in the GAA grounds just outside Roundwood (the highest village in Ireland) in Co. Wicklow where the night sky is extremely dark - a stunning sight even to the naked eye. Thanks to our generous friends in the European Space Agency: Everyone who comes to the Star-B-Q will get a FREE copy of the new DVD "Hubble - 15 Years of Discovery" - it normally sells for over 10euro (we'll give more details of this DVD in a separate email in a few days) Dozens of volunteers from Astronomy Ireland will be at the Star-B-Q to show you the wonders of the universe in the many giant telescopes, including the 21-inch diameter Millennium Telescope - the biggest portable telescope in Ireland collecting 6,000 times more light than the human eye. Special attractions this year include: Jupiter - at its closest to Earth during April Saturn - the beautiful ringed planet Comet Machholz - still in reach of the giant telescopes Star clusters M44 and M13 Galaxies M51 and M65 Planetary nebulae M57 and M27 and many more wonders of the universe! Features at Star-B-Q: · Slide Show by David Moore, Ireland's best known astronomer · Talk about telescopes by Emlyn Jones from our magazine · Unlimited Giant Telescope viewing - see wonders of the universe · Look through Ireland's Biggest Portable Telescope (21-inch!) · Giant Binoculars - try our new 25x100mm monsters! · Naked Eye Guide (learn the constellations) · Binocular Masterclass (learn to use them for astronomy) · 'Live' webcam demo on big screen by Eamonn O'Fearchain · Unlimited Food from the barbecue all night long · Soft drinks and hot drinks FREE all night long · Extremely dark skies yet only short drive from Dublin · Proceeds go to AI to help us promote astronomy · Sky Notes leaflet by David Grennan our monthly Sky Diary writer · FREE Hubble Space Telescope 15th anniversary DVD! · Telescope Showcase - try before you buy from us! · Advice, chat and 'craic' all night long · Suitable for all - bring friends and family So don't miss Ireland's biggest gathering of telescopes - we organised it for you, so please book now! For more details (with photos) and to book online click www.astronomy.ie/sbq Or call (01) 847 0777 We look forward to welcoming you all to Ireland's biggest annual TELESCOPE EXTRAVAGANZA! Please forward this email to everyone you think might be interested - thank you.

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[Astronomy Ireland] Moon Watch, Time Lectures, ASGI, HST 15th, Newsline or AIRS?
by Astronomy Ireland 19 Apr '05

19 Apr '05

1. Last Friday April 15 saw Astronomy Ireland members set up telescopes all around Ireland and hundreds of you came along to get a close up look at the most spectacular object visible in a telescope - the Moon. I was at the Dublin Moon Watch where a spectacular array of some of the most powerful telescopes showed the craters, mountains, and valleys on the Moon in stunning detail. We had chosen April 15 as National Moon Watch Day because the Moon was very high up AND the planet Saturn was right next to the Moon in the sky. So we used the opportunity to show Saturn and its rings and moons in the telescopes also. Those who stayed on at the events also got to see the planet Jupiter rising in the East. There were a few clouds around at some of the Moon Watches but virtually everyone got to see the Moon and marvel at its surface features in close-up. Our next Watch is for Jupiter and will take place at our Star-B-Q next week. Watch www.astronomy.ie for a report with pictures this week, and go there now to book next week's Star-B-Q if you haven't already done so! 2. Prof Tom Ray notifies us of a special "Time Event - Exploration of the Idea of Time, Cosmology & Literature" with talks by John Banville, Brendan Kennelly and John Barrow (cosmologist) in Trinity College Dublin at 6:30pm, Burke Theatre, Arts Building. See http://www.ria.ie/events/time.html 3. Twice a year Ireland's professional astronomers and students get together for a meeting to describe their work under the auspices of the ASGI. While not aimed at the general public students or prospective students should try to get along: April 21 & 22, Thurs & -Fri, NUI-Galway: Spring 2005 ASGI/CosmoGrid joint meeting. See http://www.arm.ac.uk/asgi/Spring2005/index_asgi.htm I hope to go, let me know if you need a lift from Dublin to Galway. 4. To mark the 15th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope, Armagh Planetarium is running a Special HST & Faulkes Telescope Event. The event begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday April 24 with live presentations at 2:30, 3:30, and 4 p.m. on the discoveries of the HST. Weather permitting, there will be a live link-up with the 2m robotic Faulkes Telescope in Hawaii. NOTE: this event takes place at the Ulster Museum in Belfast as the Planetarium is closed for refurbishment at present. http://www.ulstermuseum.org.uk/whats_on/events/?article=864 I hope to go, let me know if you need a lift from Dublin to Belfast. 5. For your weekly news either tune in to the AI Radio Show every Tuesday at 8pm (or download it after 9pm at www.astronomy.ie/radioshow.html ) or call our Newsline on 1550-111-442 for this week's news - big Jupiter event on Friday!!! - David Moore (Chairman, Astronomy Ireland: www.astronomy.ie ) Visit us at one of Europe's BIGGEST ASTRONOMY SHOPS in: Unit 75, Butterly Business Park, Kilmore Road, Artane, Dublin 5. Tel: (01) 847 0777. Open Mon.-Fri 9:30-17:30 AND SATURDAYS NOON TIL 6PM

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[Astronomy Ireland] MOON WATCH NATIONWIDE
by Astronomy Ireland 15 Apr '05

15 Apr '05

[We are asking that you email this to everyone you know please] Tonight's the night! Powerful telescopes will be set at several locations around Ireland to show the general public the Moon in stunning close up detail. You'll not only be able to see the craters but the mountains inside the craters and even the valleys between these mountains! It's one of the most incredible sights you'll ever see and something you should do at least once in your life. All the Moon Watches take place at 9pm. Here is a list of locations from our website (more details at www.astronomy.ie/moonwatchapr05.html ) including phone numbers for local directions): Carlow - Killerig Golf Club - Gerry Moloney (087) 9184000 Co. Clare - Kilmihil - Angus Sealy (087) 2308428 Cork, Ballyphehane Community Centre - Martin Lynch (087) 2404104 Co. Donegal, Letterkenny, Kilpeak Graveyard, Glenswilly - Seamus Byron (087) 2203312 Dublin - Phoenix Park, car park at Papal Cross - Tom Finnegan (086) 8105155 Co. Louth, Dundalk -Blackrock Derek Watters (086) 0806908 Co. Tipperary, Clonmel, Mountain Road Viewing Point, follow sign for Hanora's Cottage - Ray Parle (052)21892 Co. Wexford, Rosslare Strand, Community Centre - Oliver Gargan (086)3592956 There a few photos of the Moon here, and a diagram of where Saturn will be (close to the Moon!): www.astronomy.ie/images/moon1a.jpg www.astronomy.ie/images/moon2a.jpg www.astronomy.ie/images/conj.gif but the view in the scopes should be even MORE impressive than these! Bring along 4euro to buy a copy of our magazine (April issue features Einstein!) and grab a bunch of the free leaflets listing all the future Watches planned this year! After tonight our next event is our annual STAR-B-Q. Details (with photos) and online booking are here www.astronomy.ie/sbqApril2005.html Or just post your cheque to P.O.Box 2888, Dublin 5 (30euro per adult, 25euro for under 16s, includes food+soft drinks+telescope). Great fun for al the family. Want your own high quality telescope, tested and recommend by your national astronomy society?: Please support OUR SHOP, one of the biggest telescope shops in Europe www.astronomy.ie/map.html Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat incl. Clear skies! David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland www.astronomy.ie PLEASE EMAIL THIS TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW - THANKS!

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[Astronomy Ireland] AIRS Competition, AI Eclipse Trip on Gerry Ryan, Aurora, Moon Watches
by Astronomy Ireland 13 Apr '05

13 Apr '05

1. The Astronomy Ireland Radio Show ran a FREE competition last night (tune in every Tuesday at 8pm or download the recording any time after 9pm on our website). You can win two Star-B-Q tickets worth 30euro each (www.astronomy.ie/sbqApril2005.html) if you know the answer to the very simple question. You have until Friday (April 15) at midnight! So go to www.astronomy.ie and click "Radio Show" in the left hand menu and download the "April 12" show (takes about 30 seconds on broadband). There's a lot more news and what to see in the sky this week for everyone all around Ireland and the U.K. Good luck and tune in every Tuesday night to Ireland's ONLY astronomy radio show! 2. POPE'S ECLIPSE: Last Friday April 8 there were media reports that the total eclipse of the Sun that day (see our April magazine page 23) was predicted in advance to coincide with the Pope's funeral! Where you believe this sort of rubbish or not, it generated publicity for the eclipse over the Pacific that it would otherwise have not received. I spoke to the Gerry Ryan Show on 2FM that morning and we were able to talk all about eclipses in general including the one we have Eclipse Watches Nationwide planned for on October 3 (see your PROGRAMME OF LECTURES AND EVENTS that all members got in the post this week - or get most of it from www.astronomy.ie/Events%202005.html) But we also got to announce to the public our big Total Solar Eclipse Trip 2006 planned for Turkey next year on March 29. A lot of people emailed as a result. Members will know that we announced this last month on page 4 of the April issue of the magazine. If you want to know the details just email eclipse(a)astronomy.ie now. There will not be another Total Eclipse of the Sun visible from any easy to get to place on the planet until 2017! If you want to hear the Gerry Ryan Show interview click on http://www.rte.ie/rams/radio/latest/Fri/rte-thegerryryanshow-fri-.smil or failing that try pasting this link in to REAL PLAYER: rtsp://streaming2.rte.ie/2005/0408/08042005rte-thegerryryanshow-fri-.rm The eclipse discussion starts 2 hours 2minutes in to the Show and lasts about 15 minutes. It was great fun to do, I hope you enjoy listening. 3. AURORA WATCH: A solar wind stream is buffeting Earth's magnetic field, sparking intermittent auroras over northern Europe and Canada. As ever TEXT us on 086 081 9986 as soon as you see anything giving your name and location. Then email observe(a)astronomy.ie when it is all over and we'll put your report in our magazine. 4. NATIONAL MOON WATCH DAY is this Friday April 15. At 9pm telescopes will be set up for you ALL AROUND IRELAND so you can get an incredible close up view of the mountains, valleys and craters on the Moon. I'll be at the Dublin Moon Watch in the Phoenix Park (Papal Cross car park) and we'll have several of the latest telescopes on hand for you to look through including the first in Ireland of Celestron's new C11-S GT from our Shop. Details of all the other Moon Watches are on www.astronomy.ie and they all start at 9pm - it should be the brilliant night as the Moon is the most incredible sight in a telescope AND Saturn will be right next to it in the sky! (see page 27 of our April magazine www.astronomy.ie/sub ) And finally, our Newsline has been updated. For details of everything to see in the sky this week please call 1550-111-442 (calls cost 95c/min). In U.K. call 09001 88 1950 (60p/min). - David Moore (Chairman, Astronomy Ireland: www.astronomy.ie ) Visit us at one of Europe's BIGGEST ASTRONOMY SHOPS in: Unit 75, Butterly Business Park, Kilmore Road, Artane, Dublin 5. Tel: (01) 847 0777. Open Mon.-Fri 9:30-17:30 AND SATURDAYS NOON TIL 6PM BEST PRICES - now up to 50% off listed prices!!! Delivery nationwide. We'll beat anyone's price - call! *** SALE ON THIS WEEK !!! ***

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[Astronomy Ireland] EINSTEIN lecture Book Now!
by Astronomy Ireland 09 Apr '05

09 Apr '05

Astronomy Ireland's Leinster Area Public Lecture for April had sold out! But we have now joined forces with DCU Astronomy Society and secured the huge hall where we run Astro-Expo every November. This means there are lots of places for this extremely popular lecture on: Monday April 11 at 8:10pm in: Dublin City University The Lecture "Einstein - His Life and Times" will now take place in: "THE HUB" (which is the Student Union Centre) at 8:10pm (for a map go to www.astronomy.ie and click on the lecture details) To reserve places at the lecture email lecture(a)astronomy.ie or just come along on the night. This is all part of Astronomy Ireland's celebration of EINSTEIN YEAR 2005. For all of our members around Ireland who cannot get to Dublin a DVD of the talk is being produced and you can get a copy by posting 10euro (including postage) to: P.O.Box 2888, Dublin 5. Cash/cheque/postal order/bank draft payable to Astronomy Ireland. To answer a question we got: you keep the DVD which you can show to friends! No public performances without AI's permission please. Thank you. NOTE: admission to this lecture is FREE thanks to the generous support of the Institute of Physics in Ireland. Astronomy Ireland lecture(a)astronomy.ie P.S. Remember the Astronomy Shop is open today (Saturday noon to 6pm) with NEW LOW PRICING on practically everything! While you're here you can pick up your tickets for the EINSTEN LECTURE.

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[Astronomy Ireland] More Lectures, Star-B-Q extended, Shop Sale ON!
by Astronomy Ireland 01 Apr '05

01 Apr '05

1. MORE LECTURES: The Institute of Physics in Ireland have organised the follow lecture to be given around Ireland next week: 'Astronomical Masers: Signposts of Star-Birth and Star-Death' by Prof. Philip Diamond, Jodrell Bank Observatory, UK Mon. April 4 University College Cork at 4pm Wed. April 6 Queens University Belfast at 4pm Fri. April 8 NUI Maynooth at 3:30pm See http://ireland.iop.org/program.html where Committee Contact is given as: Denise Gabuzda, tel. 021 - 490 2003 2. STAR-B-Q APRIL: There were some errors on the online Star-B-Q booking form, which have now been fixed, so we are extending the deadline for booking at the reduced rate until Monday morning April 4. After that the full ticket price must apply: Adult 30euro (under 16s 25euro) Make sure you get along to the biggest gathering of astronomy fans in Ireland every year. At the dark sky site near Roundwood, Co. Wicklow on April 29 we'll have the biggest portable telescopes in Ireland to show you the wonders of the universe and especially the planet Jupiter up-close. Including the giant 21-inch Millennium Telescope which we built for the purpose. Tickets include all barbecue food and soft drinks as always with proceeds going to Astronomy Ireland, a non-profit group, so please support this event and bring family and friends. ALL NEW PICTURES have just been uploaded to our webpage and online booking system. Check them out now at: www.astronomy.ie/sbqApril2005.html Remember: BOOK BEFORE MONDAY! - David Moore (Chairman, Astronomy Ireland: www.astronomy.ie ) Visit us at one of Europe's BIGGEST ASTRONOMY SHOPS in: Unit 75, Butterly Business Park, Kilmore Road, Artane, Dublin 5. Tel: (01) 847 0777. Open Mon.-Fri 9:30-17:30 AND SATURDAYS NOON TIL 6PM BEST PRICES - now up to 50% off listed prices!!! Delivery nationwide. *** SALE ON THIS WEEKEND !!! ***

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