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

[Astronomy Ireland] Eclipse Article Online!, Sale, AIRS, Enrol Now, Events
by Astronomy Ireland 30 Sep '05

30 Sep '05

Astronomy Ireland · www.astronomy.ie · (01) 847 0777 · info(a)astronomy.ie 1. DEEP PARTIAL ECLIPSE Remember on Monday morning the deep partial eclipse of the Sun will take place from 8:50am to 11:15am and we have Eclipse Watches around Ireland for you to go to. See www.astronomy.ie for list of Watches. Go along. Get free leaflets and support AI by buying our magazine. So far we are expecting RTE TV News, "Morning Ireland" from RTE Radio 1 and The Gerry Ryan Show (2FM) to be at the Dublin Eclipse Watch (Phoenix Park 8:30am-11:30am) so tune in to the radio and watch us on TV that day! NEW! David Grennan has put up the pages of his Eclipse article in this month's magazine (Sky Diary pages 22 to 26) at www.astronomy.ie/eclipse.html If you think making articles from the magazine available online is a good idea for the future also please email David on skydiary(a)astronomy.ie ASTROSOLAR - remember if you want to view the eclipse for yourself in safety then using AstroSolar is the only safe group way to do it (projection can be dangerous if kids rush up and grab the eyepiece!). AstroSolar is available from our Shop in Artane on Saturday from 10am to 6pm And check out what is left of our huge stock clearance sale while you're there, see www.astronomy.ie/sale.rtf for a new list updated today. ECLIPSE SHADES - we still have these available in the Shop on Saturday 10am-6pm Whatever you do make sure you take Monday morning off work for the deepest eclipse we'll see from Ireland until 2011. TURKEY ECLIPSE TRIP 2006 On Monday we will be launching our Eclipse Trip to Turkey for the March 29 TOTAL eclipse next year. For a brochure email eclipse(a)astronomy.ie and it will be sent later in October to you 2. STOCK CLEARANCE SALE Due to ongoing problems that An Post is having delivering our magazine (has anyone still NOT got their October issue?) we have to extend the sale in to October. Drop in tomorrow, Saturday, if you can or early next week for lots of great bargains. No reasonable offer refused on huge range of telescopes, bags, eyepieces, CCD cameras, accessories etc that must go! See www.astronomy.ie/sale.rtf for a new list of many items, or drop in and see EVERYTHING 3. Radio show/Newsline Just to let you know our Tuesday evening Radio Show (8pm on 103.2FM) was online within minutes of the show ending as per normal. Includes details of the Eclipse! Download from www.astronomy.ie/radioshow.html Our 1550-111-442 Newsline continues to be updated every Monday with news for the week ahead also. 4. BEGINNERS CLASSES - ENROL NOW There are just a few days left until our Astronomy Evening Classes begin on October 6. You can get more details and enrol now at www.astronomy.ie/eveningclass.html ALL WELCOME. From only 80euro for 10 week course. 5. EVENTS (some previously announced e.g. DIAS lecture was in Sept 24 email) Sat 24 Sep 12pm (to 6pm Sat 08 Oct), Stock Clearance Sale www.astronomy.ie/sale.rtf (updated Sept. 30) Fri 30 Sep 7pm, DIAS statutory public lecture: Prof Tom Gaisser on 'Cosmic Rays and Particle Physics; Historical Context, New Frontiers'. Theatre O, Arts Block, UCD Mon 03 Oct 12:10am, BBC 1 TV, SKY AT NIGHT with Sir Patrick Moore Mon 03 Oct 8am, Astronomy Ireland ECLIPSE WATCHES nationwide. Book this day off work now! www.astronomy.ie/SolarEclipseOct05.html Thu 06 Oct 7pm, Astronomy Evening Classes. Enrolling now at www.astronomy.ie/eveningclass.html Mon 10 Oct 8pm, AI Public Lecture. Handle a piece of an asteroid when Dr Ian Sanders hands out meteorites to the audience. Book now www.astronomy.ie/lecture0510.html - David Moore, Chairman. SOCIETY · MAGAZINE · SHOP Astronomy Ireland · www.astronomy.ie · (01) 847 0777 · info(a)astronomy.ie

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[Astronomy Ireland] An Post delayed magazine - SALE extended!, Events, Viewing
by Astronomy Ireland 24 Sep '05

24 Sep '05

Astronomy Ireland · www.astronomy.ie · (01) 847 0777 · info(a)astronomy.ie 1. MAGAZINE DELAYED BY AN POST - SALE EXTENDED! The October issue of our magazine took up to 10 days to deliver due to a problem An Post is having with mail deliveries at present! We have complained about this. A&S was posted in the middle of last week (Sep 14), which should have been well in time for the notice about the Huge Clearance Sale we have in our Shop this week (Sep 19-24). We are going to extend the sale one more week (until Saturday October 1st) but a lot of items have already been sold so hurry. You can call to reserve items. If you don't get our magazine (www.astronomy.ie/sub) there is a list of most items in the sale at: www.astronomy.ie/sale.rtf (or reply to this email and we'll email you a copy) ON GOING AN POST PROBLEM? If you have still not received your October issue of A&S (space shuttle launch on the cover) then please reply to this email giving your name and address as we want to complain further to An Post if necessary 2. EVENTS Sat 24 Sep 12pm (to 6pm Sat 01 Oct), Stock Clearance Sale www.astronomy.ie/sale.rtf Sat 24 Sep 7pm, RTE Radio 1: Icons of Irish Science - Jocelyn Bell Burnell Tue 27 Sep 7pm, RTE 2 TV: Naked Science - a natural nuclear reactor in the Earth? Wed 28 Sep 9pm, BBC2 TV: Space Race - docudrama on the race to put man on Moon (3of4) Fri 30 Sep 7pm, DIAS statutory public lecture: Prof Tom Gaisser on 'Cosmic Rays and Particle Physics; Historical Context, New Frontiers'. Theatre O, Arts Block, UCD Mon 03 Oct 8am, Astronomy Ireland ECLIPSE WATCHES nationwide. Book this day off work now! www.astronomy.ie/SolarEclipseOct05.html Thu 06 Oct 7pm, Astronomy Evening Classes. Enrolling now at www.astronomy.ie/eveningclass.html Mon 10 Oct 8pm, AI Public Lecture. Handle a piece of an asteroid when Dr Ian Sanders hands out meteorites to the audience. Book now www.astronomy.ie/lecture0510.html 3. VIEWING HIGHLIGHTS FOR COMING WEEK VENUS - low in West soon after sunset visible with naked eye MARS - rises in East after 9pm. See "Mars Offer" page 4 October A&S magazine) SATURN - rises 2am in East, beautiful sight next to Beehive before dawn (5am-6am best) MOON - see mag 4 star 'reappear' from behind Moon Sat 24 Sep (see page 23 September A&S) More details of all above in our magazine www.astronomy.ie/sub Order the October "ECLIPSE ISSUE" and be ready for October 3rd's big Sun Eclipse! - David Moore, Chairman. SOCIETY · MAGAZINE · SHOP Astronomy Ireland · www.astronomy.ie · (01) 847 0777 · info(a)astronomy.ie

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[Astronomy Ireland] Lecture, Travel Agent?, Aurora, ISS, Saturn
by Astronomy Ireland 12 Sep '05

12 Sep '05

Astronomy Ireland · www.astronomy.ie · (01) 847 0777 · info(a)astronomy.ie 1. "ANCIENT TELESCOPES OF ARMAGH OBSERVATORY" Mon Sept 12 D.C.U. 8pm Our next Leinster Area public lecture takes place tonight (sorry for short notice, BA Festival and aurora distracted me last week!). It will also be made available to members all around Ireland on DVD. Dr John Butler will travel down from Armagh Observatory to tell us all about the famous telescopes and instruments that have just been restored at the Observatory (founded 1790). More details at www.astronomy.ie/lecture0509.html including maps. All welcome. 8pm in lecture hall CG12, Henry Grattan Building, Dublin City University, Dublin 9. To order DVD go to www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html only 5euro!!! 2. TRAVEL AGENT? A lot of international contacts were made at the B.A. Festival of Science last week and we'd like to arrange tours to places of significant interest around the world in the coming months and years. Anywhere from U.K., Europe to the southern hemisphere! If you are involved in the travel industry and could advise on how to organise such events, or your company could contract to do the organising please email info(a)astronomy.ie 3. AURORA & I.S.S. ABOVE MOON I saw no aurora last night from brief checks of the northern sky and we received no sightings from anywhere else in Ireland either. Activity as measured by satellite and around the world continues to increase however and that sunspot on the Sun is huge! See http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime-images.html and click on the MDI image So there is a good chance of an aurora tonight and the next several nights so keep watching the north sky and email observe(a)astronomy.ie if you see anything. If you want to view the sunspot be sure to use AstroSolar (inexpensive and available from our Shop) in front of your binoculars or telescopes, it's an amazing sight. In the meantime the International Space Station continues to blaze across the sky every night until Thursday night inclusive. Monday night's prediction is 9:11pm passing above the Moon. For less than a euro call our Newsline 1550-111-442 every afternoon for the latest prediction including other 'local' news, and any aurora updates! 4. SATURN NEAR BEEHIVE Every morning this week, by 3am the planet SATURN rises in the East and is plainly visible to the naked eye until morning twilight interferes (5:30am or so). See the diagram on page 26 of our September magazine (available from www.astronomy.ie/sub if you want to support the society). You will see that Saturn is closest to the Beehive Star Cluster over the next few nights and worth checking out all week - so set those alarm clocks! Please send sighting reports and photos to observe(a)astronomy.ie as this is one of the most spectacular events of the month. Don't forget to scrutinise the 'evening planet' MARS in your telescope from now until Christmas as it is coming closer than it will until 2018! See Sky Diary pages every month for details. Hoping to see you all at tonight's September Public Lecture, - David Moore, Chairman. SOCIETY · MAGAZINE · SHOP Astronomy Ireland · www.astronomy.ie · (01) 847 0777 · info(a)astronomy.ie

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[Astronomy Ireland] Aurora, ISS, Planet Notes, Old Mobiles
by Astronomy Ireland 11 Sep '05

11 Sep '05

Astronomy Ireland · www.astronomy.ie · (01) 847 0777 · info(a)astronomy.ie 1. AURORA An enormous and very active sunspot has appeared on the Sun. It has had several explosions associated with it already and some of these have started to impact Earth. An aurora is expected tonight (Sunday Sept. 11) and over the next several nights. More explosions will mean more aurora so watch all week! If you see anything please send a brief report with your name and location to observe(a)astronomy.ie 2. SEE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION I.S.S. continues to blaze across the sky every night until September 15. It flies over at a different time each evening. For example tonight, Sunday, it will be high in the South at 8:46pm. To get the time and other interesting details about each pass call our Newsline on 1550-111-442 before sunset each day and it will tell you what to look out for that night. 3. PLANETS ON VIEW In other observing news don't forget: VENUS and JUPITER are low in the West evening twilight, though they are now 10 degrees apart and increasing. I saw them tonight. SATURN is much higher but in morning skies and in the highlight of the month it passes near the edge of the Beehive Star cluster (M44) over the next few mornings - use your binoculars for a spectacular view. MARS is rising at 10pm in the East each evening this week and is a brilliant sight to the naked eye for the rest of each night. Detail can be plainly seen on its surface in good quality telescopes - call our Shop staff at the number above for advice. For more details of all these events see the Sky Diary pages of our September magazine. (Call and the Shop will post it to you for 5euro or order here www.astronomy.ie/sub ) 4. OLD MOBILE PHONES? We need a spare mobile phone for the SIM card we use for sending/receiving TEXT observing reports. If you have an old mobile phone not being used and can donate it to the society please email info(a)astronomy.ie thanks. - David Moore, Chairman. SOCIETY · MAGAZINE · SHOP Astronomy Ireland · www.astronomy.ie · (01) 847 0777 · info(a)astronomy.ie

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[Astronomy Ireland] BA Festival Thurs and Fri
by Astronomy Ireland 08 Sep '05

08 Sep '05

Astronomy Ireland · www.astronomy.ie · (01) 847 0777 · info(a)astronomy.ie THE BA FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE Last night's presentation by Simon Singh and Richard Wiseman in the RDS was one of the most entertaining and stimulating events I have ever attended - well worth missing 'the match' for! Full credit to the Irish Skeptics Society and RDS for organising this event for the BA Festival, which continues today and tomorrow with some more superb events that you will not want to miss. Book your days holidays off work now! There are some brilliant talks by world authorities so don't miss them. Their website is authoritative and the best way I found of search for events is to use: http://www1.the-ba.net/the-ba/page.asp?selectPage=639 Select the day you want, and list FULL DETAILS with ALL EVENTS ON ONE PAGE. Then you can print it out or wade down through it and make a list of talks/events to go to. I did. Here are just a few of my selections for Thursday and Friday (in 'start time' order) see above website for many other events that will interest you: Thursday: · EINSTEIN AND ASTRONOMY - Organised by: The BA Physics & Astronomy Section Presidential Session Date : 08/09/2005 - Time : 14.00-17.30 Location : Edmund Burke LT, Arts Building - Cost : **€7.00 To celebrate Einstein year, the Physics and Astronomy section President, Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell, will deliver a lecture on how Einstein's general theory of relativity has shaped the field of astronomy in the 20th century. This and other invited lecturers will cover topics ranging from the work of people like Arthur Eddington to pulsars, gravitational lensing and gravity waves. - A S Eddington and Einstein's theories - Jocelyn Bell Burnell, University of Oxford and President of the BA Physics and Astonomy Section What if Eddington had not been there? Eddington made Einstein's theories accessible to a wide audience and used the theories in his work. His eclipse expedition verified Einstein's prediction about the bending of light. Eddington's key role in the acceptance and understanding of Einstein's work is discussed. - Gravitational waves: Wrinkles in relativity - Sheila Rowan, University of Glasgow The detection of gravitational waves remains one of the most challenging problems in experimental physics. Observation will allow us to see deep into some of the most violent events in the Universe. In this talk a review of this emerging new field in observational astronomy will be given. - Fast, attractive and very precise - Michael Kramer, University of Manchester Objects of extreme matter, so called neutron stars, can be observed as pulsating radio sources known as pulsars. Their fascinating properties presented in this talk make them superb cosmic clocks that can be used to test predictions by Einstein's theory of general relativity - Illuminating the dark side of the Universe with gravitational lensing - Meghan Gray, University of Nottingham Gravitational lensing is one of the most powerful and versatile tools in the modern astronomer's toolbox. In this talk I will explain its origins in Einstein's Theory of General Relativity, and demonstrate how we use it to reveal the dark side of the Universe. · HYPNOSIS: MYTH OR MIRACLE? - Organised by: Date : 08/09/2005 - Time : 19.00-20.30 Location : National College of Ireland, Mayor St, IFSC - Cost : Free, ticket required Psychologist Peter Naish discusses and demonstrates the science behind hypnotism. Does hypnotherapy really work? Is stage hypnosis just a trick? The evening will conclude with an optional group hypnosis session, for those who would like first-hand experience. Friday: · IRISH INNOVATORS IN SCIENCE - Organised by: The BA History of Science Section Date : 09/09/2005 - Time : 09.15-12.15 Location : Panoz Institute LT 2 - Cost : **€7.00 Irish scientists have a long history of innovation and imaginative research and this session will focus on four of the many interesting personalities, highlighting their contribution to better scientific understanding. - William Rowan Hamilton - Siddhartha Sen, Trinity College Dublin An account of the life and work of Hamilton, prodigy and one of the worlds great scientist. - Wresting science from Theologians: John Tyndall's 1874 Belfast address - Frank James, Royal Institution Many people have given the credit or blame for the collapse of Christianity in the 20th century to science and in particular to the 1874 Belfast address by the Irish-born natural philosopher John Tyndall. However, this talk will argue that the decline of Christianity involved many factors other than science. - Kelvin & Company: The works of William and James Thomson - Crosbie Smith, University of Kent Buried in Westminster Abbey alongside Newton, William Thomson (Lord Kelvin) was the first scientist elevated to the British peerage. This talk, however, explores the less well-known origins of William and James Thomson in the north of Ireland. Their Belfast context allows us to understand not only the character of two remarkable brothers but also the nature of their contributions to Victorian science and engineering. - John Joly (1857-1933): An extraordinary scientist - Patrick Wyse Jackson, Trinity College Dublin John Joly (1857-1933) FRS, geologist, physicist, engineer was a prolific inventor. He is remembered for his colour photography, with H.H. Dixon he explained the ascent of plant sap, he was a geochronologer, and he pioneered studies of radioactivity in rocks. · IRISH INDUSTRY AND ENGINEERING - Organised by: The BA History of Science Section Date : 09/09/2005 - Time : 14.00-17.00 Location : Panoz Institute LT 2 - Cost : **€7.00 Ireland is often forgotten as an engineering and industrial nation. This session reviews the work of a few of these innovators who have shaped the modern world, highlighting some of the outstanding examples of Irish industrial innovation and engineering. - The Muspratt Family: More than an Irish Connection - Peter Reed, The BA History of Science Section James Muspratt spent most of the first 26 years of his life in Dublin before moving to Liverpool in 1822. This talk highlights some of the important influences and connections from his time in Dublin and how they guided his later chemical manufacturing businesses, social life and those of his sons. - Richard Turner and the Curvilinear Wrought Iron Glass House - Edward Diestelkamp, National Trust Richard Turner (1798-1881) was reknowned during his lifetime for the wrought iron glass houses that he constructed throughout Ireland, England and Scotland in the 19th century. These were manufactured in his Hammersmith Iron Works, in Ballsbridge, Dublin. He carried out important commissions for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the great range of houses for the Royal Dublin Society at Glasnevin in Dublin, as well as for private clients. - Parsons as engineers - Garrett Scaife, Trinity College Dublin Two members of the Parsons family in particular displayed talents as both engineers and as scientists. The engineering skill of William, the father, was needed to build the telescope that revealed the structure of galaxies. The scientific approach of his son Charles underpinned his successful development of the steam turbine. - Harry Ferguson - He ploughed his own furrow - John Moore, NE Consultancy Born on a farm in County Down, Harry Ferguson was the first Briton to design and fly his own monoplane. He later turned his attention to agriculture and designed the "Ferguson System" which brought safety to mechanised cultivation and gave impressive results from a lightweight tractor, becoming a world best seller. · INGENIOUS TRINITY TOUR - Organised by: Date : 09/09/2005 - Time : 14.30-15.30 Location : Depart from Front gate, Trinity College Dublin - Cost : €5.00 Explore Ireland’s oldest university, with science writer Mary Mulvihill, author of Ingenious Ireland, the award-winning guide to Ireland’s scientific heritage. Meet the mysterious misnomer that is the great Irish elk, hear about the archbishop who calculated that the world began in 4004 BC, the medic who devised the humane hangman’s drop, and the polymath whose many inventions included the steam calorimeter and early forms of colour photography and cancer radiation therapy. - David Moore, Chairman. SOCIETY · MAGAZINE · SHOP Astronomy Ireland · www.astronomy.ie · (01) 847 0777 · info(a)astronomy.ie

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[Astronomy Ireland] BA Festival of Science - Wednesday
by Astronomy Ireland 07 Sep '05

07 Sep '05

[sorry, this was sent last night but a problem with the mail server delayed it until now] Astronomy Ireland · www.astronomy.ie · (01) 847 0777 · info(a)astronomy.ie THE BA FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE has a packed programme of superb events this week, which I highly recommend you get to, even if you have to travel from outside Dublin - take a few days holidays from work! There are some brilliant talks by world authorities so don't miss them. Their website is authoritative and the best way I found of search for events is to use: http://www1.the-ba.net/the-ba/page.asp?selectPage=639 Select the day you want, and list FULL DETAILS with ALL EVENTS ON ONE PAGE. Then you can print it out or wade down through it and make a list of talks/events to go to. I did. Here is my selection for Wednesday September 7th (in 'start time' order): ALBERT EINSTEIN: A 20TH CENTURY ICON - Organised by: The BA Physics and Astronomy Section Date : 07/09/2005 - Time : 10.00-12.30 Location : Edmund Burke LT, Arts Building - Cost : **€7.00 To celebrate Einstein Year, three lively lecture demonstrations are planned, performed by well known science communicators. Two presenters of a Channel 4 documentary on Einstein's brain, a best selling author and broadcaster and an award winning science communicator, make up an exciting mix to enthuse and excite all ages. - Einstein made simple - Wendy Sadler, science made simple What did Einstein actually do in 1905 that was so important? This interactive show, with demonstrations and audience participation, will aim to simplify the science of Einstein's 1905 papers. The show will consist of three sections on atoms, the photoelectric effect and relativity. - Einstein's brain: The search for genius - Jim Al-Khalili & Dr Mark Lythgoe, University of Surrey and University College London Based on their recent Channel 4 film, physicist Jim Al-Khalili and neuroscientist Mark Lythgoe talk about their awe-inspiring adventure in search of the brain of Albert Einstein, to discover whether his genius was unique and whether it might unlock the secrets of creativity. - Big bang: A history of cosmology - Simon Singh, Albert Einstein's research led to a revolution in cosmology. His theory of relativity gave rise to the Big Bang model of the universe. However, Einstein initially rejected the Big Bang and it took him many years to change his opinion. Why did Einstein change his mind, and how did the Big Bang model transform itself from a maverick theory into a foundation of modern science? As well as discussing the development of the Big Bang model, Simon will talk more generally about how new scientific ideas are invented, developed and adopted. With appearances by Led Zeppelin, the Teletubbies and a gherkin. PARTICLE PLAYS: PHYSICS IN 3 MINUTES - Organised by: Dublin City University Date : 07/09/2005 - Time : Workshop: 10.00-15.30 Presentation: 15.30-17.00 Location : Liberty Hall Arts Centre, Eden Quay - Cost : Free, ticket required Unique science communication competition in which teams of physicists, students and actors attempt to explain complex theories in physics to a non-specialist audience. Teams have only three minutes to explain their theory through performance. Multimedia, props, costumes, gags, and any level of surrealism is encouraged. The emphasis is on originality and fun. WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: MAKING A DIFFERENCE - Organised by: Women in Science and Technology (WITS) Date : 07/09/2005 - Time : 14.00-16.00 Location : Ui Chadhain LT, Arts Building - Cost : **€7.00 Successful women working in Science and Technology will detail their careers and how their work makes a difference. They will give positive advice to attendees on choosing careers in Science and Technology. Attendees are invited to join us afterwards in the Gingerman for some light refreshment and an opportunity to chat with the speakers and WITS members - everyone welcome. - - Ena Prosser, Women in Technology and Science (WITS) - - Eucharia Meehan, Women in Technology and Science (WITS) - Excitement of biodiscovery - Catherine Godson, Biomedical researcher and VP for Innovation at University College Dublin This talk will highlight the thrill of discovery in biomedical research using examples from work on mechanisms of disease and novel therapies. Emphasise will be placed on the importance of mentoring, creativity and teamwork in career development. - Engineering Dublin city - Anne Graham, Dublin City Council How engineers shape the city of Dublin from the depths of the underground sewers to the tallest sculpture in Europe - the Millennium Spire. - Puzzling through - Sarah Flannery, Wolfram Research, and winner of the Irish and European Young Scientist Competitions in 1998 The talk will outline early influences and the appeal of mathematics and cryptography, relating some personal experiences that have been of particular value in career progression. - Women are from Venus, Mars, Titan….. - Mary Bourke, Planetary Science Institute Planetary geology is at the frontier of current scientific investigation. It is an exciting and rapidly advancing field with many opportunities. This presentation will highlight some of the interesting and intriguing findings from recent missions and outline potential career pathways for bright, motivated, young scientists. TURNING UP THE VOLUME ON SCIENTIFIC DEBATE - Organised by: Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices (CRANN) Date : 07/09/2005 - Time : 15.00-17.00 Location : Lloyd Institute LB04 - Cost : **€7.00 Issues arising from science and technology are increasingly at the heart of our everyday lives. From computers to cloning, climate change to cancer treatments, we are constantly bombarded with new products and developments. But what questions need to be asked? Where can we go to find answers? How can we make our voices heard? Our expert panel combines the worlds of communication, policy-making, research and industry. The discussion will focus on international initiatives for public engagement with science, gearing up to a knowledge-economy, and the unveiling of plans for an exciting new Dublin centre for scientific exhibition, discussion and debate 'The Science Gallery'. So come and make your voice heard as we turn up the volume on the scientific debate in Ireland. - - John Bowman, AN EVENING WITH RICHARD WISEMAN AND SIMON SINGH - Organised by: Irish Skeptics Society (www.irishskeptics.net) Date : 07/09/2005 - Time : 20.00-22.00 Location : Royal Dublin Society - Cost : €5.00 A lively and high entertaining evening with eminent psychologist Richard Wiseman, and possible guest appearance from Simon Singh (TBC). - David Moore, Chairman. SOCIETY · MAGAZINE · SHOP

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[Astronomy Ireland] BA lecture sold out on net! Radio Interview
by Astronomy Ireland 05 Sep '05

05 Sep '05

Astronomy Ireland · www.astronomy.ie · (01) 847 0777 · info(a)astronomy.ie "HITCHHIKERS GUIDE TO THE GALAXY" My Sept. 6 talk advertised in the last email (www.astronomy.ie) has sold out on the BA website! We still have a few (dozen?) in the Shop if you want to collect them. Call Robert or Inge at the Shop to reserve them then drop in to collect them. If you miss this talk, I'll probably be giving it again, around Ireland in the coming months (and years!) - watch these emails. THE BA FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE has a packed programme of superb events this week, which I highly recommend you get to, even if you have to travel from outside Dublin - take a few days holidays from work! There are some brilliant talks by world authorities so don't miss them. Their website is authoritative and the best way I found of search for events is to use: http://www1.the-ba.net/the-ba/page.asp?selectPage=639 Select the day you want, and list FULL DETAILS with ALL EVENTS ON ONE PAGE. Then you can print it out or wade down through it and make a list of talks/events to go to. I did. RADIO INTERVIEWS If you want to hear me talk about my lecture to the BA "A Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe" you can tune in to Newstalk 106 after the 10am news when I'll be talking to Orla Barry in studio, or listen on the net at www.newstalk.ie Oh, and if you read this in time we pre-recorded interviews at our STAR-B-Q that should go out on MORNING IRELAND (RTE RADIO 1) on Monday morning 7am-9am Sept. 5 In the meantime, plan your week around the BA FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE - it's 48 years since they were last here! - David Moore, Chairman. SOCIETY · MAGAZINE · SHOP

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[Astronomy Ireland] AI Public Lecture for BA, Star-B-Q, I.S.S.
by Astronomy Ireland 03 Sep '05

03 Sep '05

Astronomy Ireland · www.astronomy.ie · (01) 847 0777 · info(a)astronomy.ie 1. "A HITCHHIKERS GUIDE TO THE UNIVERSE" TUES SEPT 6 AT 7pm For the first time in 48 years the BA comes to Dublin for a week long Festival of Science with talks and events across the city. There is a packed programme so here is a link to all the astronomy related events: www1.the-ba.net/the-ba/page.asp?keyword=Astronomy&freeKeyword=&date=&EventTy pe=%25&detail=high&Submit=search+now&selectPage=640 On Tuesday I have been invited to give a Public Lecture for the BA in the National College of Ireland (Mayor St, IFSC, Dublin 1). In a highly illustrated talk aimed at young people and the general public I am going to attempt to describe the entire universe! It's a whistle stop tour of the planets, stars, galaxies and universe as a whole. I hope to give you an overview of our current understanding of the entire universe. The lecture is FREE and everyone is welcome. You can get tickets from our Shop in Artane which is open 6 days a week (Mon. to Sat.) up to 5:30pm. Map: www.ncirl.ie/corporate_services/conference_facilities/how_to_locate_us.asp Here is a superb illustration of the luxurious conference hall: www.ncirl.ie/corporate_services/conference_facilities/virtual_tour/360_photo s.asp Don't forget to check all the other fantastic talks and events by experts from Ireland and around the world via the link above! 2. STAR-B-Q A record crowd of around 500 people came to our "barbecue under the stars" last Friday August 26 making it the biggest annual telescope gathering in Ireland. Dublin Food Sales Ltd did an excellent job catering for the event with hot food served until late, plus loads of other 'goodies' too. There were several talks by Emlyn Jones, David Grennan and I in the large hall in Roundwood GAA grounds. Lasers were used to point out stars and constellations (we now have prices on these lasers which are in stock - call the Shop). A demonstration of digital imaging was set up outdoors by Eamonn O'Fearchain. The playing field was strewn with a vast array of telescopes and viewing started on some of the target objects early but then clouds rolled in. However, skies cleared later and fantastic views were had of the wonders of the universe like the Ring Nebula, galaxies, globular clusters, the Dumbbell nebula, the Wild Duck cluster, double stars, the planets Mars and even Uranus and Neptune which clearly showed disks despite their enormous distance. Even the Moon was viewed later on when it rose. There is an initial report on www.astronomy.ie with some pictures. Remember, we will be re-running the telescope viewing side of this event every Friday/Saturday if clear from now until Christmas - call the Shop between 4:00pm and 5:00pm (strictly) PHOTOS? If you snapped any at all at the event we want to hear from you as we need copies for our full report. Even small images will do. Please email info(a)astronomy.ie thanks. Thanks to everyone who supported the event by buying tickets and to the dozens of volunteers who worked tirelessly before, during and after the event to help. This is our biggest annual fund-raiser and proceeds will help us to keep promoting interest in astronomy in Ireland. Thank you all. 3. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION ON VIEW The I.S.S. will blaze across the sky every evening from Sept. 2nd to 15th. For background details check out our ISS page: www.astronomy.ie/iss.html The latest news (it'll be passing in front of the Moon and we'll tell you where to see this) and daily prediction will be right at the start of our Newsline every day by 12noon: Call 1550-111-442 (updated at 12noon each day with the prediction for that night) (calls cost 95c/min or in N.Ireland/UK call 09001 88 1950 calls cost 60p/min) 4. MAJOR EVENTS THIS MONTH: Sep. 06 THE UNIVERSE lecture by David Moore to B.A. Festival of Science: www.astronomy.ie ALL WELCOME. Tickets FREE. Sep. 12 Lecture/DVD Armagh's newly restored telescopes/instruments www.astronomy.ie/lecture0509.html ALL WELCOME. Book now. Oct. 06 Astronomy Evening Classes ENROLLING NOW Great for beginners, very popular. Enrol at www.astronomy.ie/eveningclass.html Hear Pat Kenny and David Moore discuss the classes for 17 minutes on RTE Radio 1 at www.astronomy.ie/PKDM.html - David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland - promoting interest in astronomy all around Ireland. Tel: (01) 847 0777 SOCIETY · MAGAZINE · SHOP

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