January 2006 - astronomy@lists.redbrick.dcu.ie

[Astronomy Ireland] New hours, PK interviews, Eclipse Trip, Alchemist Cafe
by Astronomy Ireland 17 Jan '06

17 Jan '06

1. SHOP OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK, AND LATE NIGHTS Due to popular demand our Astronomy Shop in Dublin (FREE delivery nationwide) is now open 7 days a week and late night Thursday and Friday. Opening hours are now: 09:00 - 18:00 Monday to Wednesday 09:00 - 21:00 Thursday and Friday 10:00 - 18:00 Saturday 12:00 - 18:00 Sunday *** PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF THESE TIMES *** No matter where you live in Ireland/U.K. you can call the Shop staff on (01) 847 0777 for advice and to place orders (FREE delivery on telescopes). Please make use of this service and forward details to anyone you think may be interested. It is the *biggest* telescope shop in Ireland (one of the biggest in Europe too), and the *only* dedicated astronomy shop in the country. Proceeds from sales in the Shop help to keep our magazine and society running so please shop with us - we can match or beat any price you see elsewhere. 2. PAT KENNY INTERVIEWS Both of our New Year Lecture speakers were interviewed by Pat Kenny on RTE Radio 1 last week. If you missed the interviews you can hear them online now. Paste the following links in to Real Player and 'seek' to the time given below each link: Jan 9 Colm J. Cannon on the Space Shuttle Disaster 20th & 3rd Anniversary. Link: rtsp://streaming2.rte.ie/2006/0109/09012006rte-todaywithpatkenny.rm Seek to: 1 hour 47 minutes 4 seconds Jan 12 Simon Singh on The Big Bang Story. Link: rtsp://streaming2.rte.ie/2006/0112/12012006rte-todaywithpatkenny.rm Seek to: 0 hours 39 minutes 10 seconds You can order Colm's New Year Lecture at www.astronomy.ie and click on "Lecture DVDs" (a preview should be available later tonight if you click "Lecture Webcasts" also). 3. ECLIPSE TRIP Due to couriers 'loosing' our February magazine last week (you should get it in the post by the end of this week!) we have extended the deadline for booking places on our Eclipse Trip from Jan. 16 to Jan. 30. Details and bookings at: www.astronomy.ie/turkeyeclipse.html (by the way, some of you have asked about the Bird Flu situation but rest assured the World Health Organisation does not see travel to Turkey as a problem as long simple precautions are observed - so it will not affect the Eclipse Trip at all) Note we are tying up a deal with a media partner shortly and the price will then rise substantially soon so please book early as once this Trip of a Lifetime is advertised to the general public the aircraft we have chartered is sure to fill up and we may not be able to charter further large aircraft. This is the biggest event we have ever organised and it should be by far the most spectacular so don't miss it - our next will be 2017! Call our at (01) 847 0777 to book (see new opening hours above) or visit www.astronomy.ie/turkeyeclipse.html 4. ALCHEMIST CAFE EVENT We received the following from Belinda Grehan at The Alchemist Cafe, Dublin (Tel 086-3405834) ************************************************************** "Cosmic Rays and Space Travellers: A Safe Combination?" Date: Wednesday 25th January Place: The Central Hotel, Exchequer Street-off Georges St (see map on website) Time: 7.45pm Astrophysicist Professor Denis O'Sullivan of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies will be discussing his space experiments for NASA studying levels of cosmic radiation experienced by astronauts-an evening not to be missed! Admission: Free-All Welcome! Complimentary Food will be provided Further Information At: www.alchemistcafe.cjb.net ************************************************************** Astronomy Ireland: www.astronomy.ie Tel (01) 847 0777 now 7 days a week and late night opening Thursday & Friday til 9pm.

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[Astronomy Ireland] TWO New Year Lectures!, ISS, Eclipse, Planets
by Astronomy Ireland 07 Jan '06

07 Jan '06

To open 2006 Astronomy Ireland presents not one, but TWO New Year Public Lectures: ( BOTH WILL BE AVAILABLE ON DVD FOR MEMBERS LIVING OUTSIDE LEINSTER ) ( Order both at www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html next week ) 1. Monday January 9th Dublin City University 8pm "Challenger and Columbia" by Colm J. Cannon NEWSFLASH: Colm is due to speak to Pat Kenny on RTE Radio 1 on Monday Jan. 9 (10am-12pm)! It is 20 years ago this month since the first major manned spaceflight disaster when the shuttle Challenger and its crew of 7 were all lost. On Feb. 1st it will be the 3rd anniversary of the loss of Columbia and its crew of 7. Now with the space shuttle fleet still grounded, and the future of the International Space Station (the most expensive object every built) in jeopardy what is the future of the shuttle programme? Astronomy Ireland's space correspondent, broadcaster and writer, Colm J. Cannon, will look at both disasters and to the future of America in space as it relates to the shuttle programme. ALL WELCOME. Admission 5euro (3euro under16,students,members,unwaged,OAPs). Payable at the door, no tickets necessary. Doors open 7:30pm. Event begins 8pm. Venue: Dublin City University in the Henry Grattan Building, Lecture Hall CG12 on Jan. 9 Details: www.astronomy.ie/lecture0601.html 2. Thursday January 12th TRINITY COLLEGE DUBLIN 8pm "BIG BANG - THE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE IN 60 MINUTES" by Simon Singh (U.K.) TICKETS MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE! See below... NEWSFLASH: Simon is due to speak to Pat Kenny on RTE Radio 1 on Thursday Jan. 12 (10am-12pm)! Dr Simon Singh is a brilliant public speaker (he and Richard Wiseman, who was on The Late Late Show last Friday, took to the stage in London's West End!) and he is also author of several books including "Fermat's Last Theorem" and "The Code Book". For our second New Year Lecture Dr Singh will talk about his book about the Big Bang. Watch out for electrocutions, Led Zeppelin and more! "This is one of the best lecture performances I have ever seen" - David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland. "I thoroughly recommend you round up everyone you know and get along for the experience of a lifetime!" ALL WELCOME. Admission 5euro. IMPORTANT!!!: Tickets MUST be booked in advanced - either online, or in person in our Shop online: www.astronomy.ie/lecture0602singh.html Shop: www.astronomy.ie/map.html Venue: McNeill Theatre, Hamilton Building, Trinity College Dublin, 8pm (doors open 7:30pm). 3. International Space Station visible near Moon + Mars! The International Space Station with two astronauts on board (Valery Tokarev and Bill MacArthur) is visible blazing across Irish skies every evening until January 17th inclusive. The Moon and Mars will be in the sky also so some places in Ireland will get to see I.S.S. pass in front of the Moon and Mars - an extremely rare sight. As well as giving out the exact time to see I.S.S. each evening we will tell you where in Ireland you will see it pass in front of Mars and the Moon. Of course, if you live anywhere near these places you will get to see I.S.S. pass very close to the Moon and Mars. If you see I.S.S. pass near, or across the Moon or Mars then please email a short report to observe(a)astronomy.ie Call our Newsline each day after 12noon (and before sunset, approx 4pm) for each daily prediction: 1550 - 111 - 442 (calls cost 95c/min) Please pass this number on to all your friends. (Revenue from this service helps us promote astronomy in Ireland and this Newsline can handle hundreds of callers simultaneously, something we could not do ourselves. And by the way, the lion's share of the 95cent per minute goes to the telecoms operators not us.) 4. ECLIPSE TRIP - HOLIDAY OF A LIFE-TIME Just a reminder that the deadline to book your place on our special DIRECT flight from Dublin to Turkey to see the spectacular Total Solar Eclipse is Monday January 16. So talk to your loved ones and friends about making this your holiday in the Sun (with a difference!) for 2006! Details and online deposits to: www.astronomy.ie/turkeyeclipse.html This will be the biggest and most spectacular event Astronomy Ireland has ever organised! 5. Mars near Moon On Sunday January 8 Mars will be extremely close to the Moon, less than one Moon diameter below it in fact. This is a rare and spectacular sight to the naked eye so don't miss it. Send sightings and photos to observe(a)astronomy.ie please. See the diagram on page 26 of the January issue of our magazine and the further details there. Venus, Saturn and Jupiter are all on view this coming week also. For all your viewing needs consult the Sky Diary pages of our magazine www.astronomy.ie/sub to order the current issue (only 5euro!) or subscribe for the year. Happy New Year from Astronomy Ireland - the world's largest astronomy society per capita www.astronomy.ie Call our Telescope Shop: (01) 847 0777 now open 7 days a week

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[Astronomy Ireland] Eclipse Trip Deadline Extended
by AI Exec Secretary 03 Jan '06

03 Jan '06

As you know, Astronomy Ireland is bringing a group to Antalya, Turkey, for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience the Total Eclipse of the Sun on March 29. We have now extended our booking deadline to Monday, January 16, after which the price will increase. Reserve your seat(s) for a 200euro down payment. Just call (01) 847 0777 and ask for Bernard or book online at www.astronomy.ie where you will also find full background details. This week-long excursion will include a direct charter, educational talks, an eclipse party, Antalya's various tourist attractions, and a seaside hotel (breakfast and dinner included) directly below the path of the eclipse for just 899euro. Those who experience the Total Solar Eclipse invariably count it among the most memorable experiences of their lives. This is the only direct flight from Ireland to Turkey for the eclipse--the last that is easily accessible until 2017. Please book early and forward this email to everyone you know! ============ Bernard Gaffney Executive Secretary / Eclipse Coordinator Astronomy Ireland P.O.Box 2888, Dublin 5. Tel: (01) 847 0777 Fax: (01) 847 0771 www.astronomy.ie sec(a)astronomy.ie

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