October 2007 - astronomy@lists.redbrick.dcu.ie

[Astronomy Ireland] Comet Holmes Easily Visible at it brightens 1 million times!
by AI Chairman 24 Oct '07

24 Oct '07

AMAZING COMET HOLMES EXPLODES INTO VIEW! Forget our recent alert about Comet LONEOS, another comet has exploded (almost literally) into view high in the evening sky!!! Comet Holmes was incredibly faint all summer but in the small hours of October 24th a Spanish observer noted it had brightened dramatically. It continued to do this all day and ended up between magnitude 2 and 3, which is about as bright as the stars in the famous Plough! Furthermore this comet is high in the northeast after sunset and climbing higher as the night wears on until well after midnight so it's going to be visible all night long. To locate Comet Holmes simply find the constellation of Perseus and locate Alpha (its brightest star, also called "Mirfak"). Then look 4 degrees to the lower left of Alpha and you'll see a 'new star' which is in fact the comet! Beginners: locate Perseus using the star map in the centre pages of any recent copy of our magazine ( www.astronomy.ie/sub ) then use the charts below. Yes that's right, Comet Holmes looks like a star! It does not have a fuzzy head or tail, yet. So it looks like Perseus has a new star! So don't go looking for a "hairy star" ("hairy star" is what the word "comet" means!). The comet has brightened by a factor of nearly 1 million but it appears to have levelled off now. Curiously, it did this in 1892 also and it took one week for it to fade by a factor of 15. So, if this behaviour is repeated the comet could be visible for many days to the naked eye. But comets are unpredictable! We don't know if the outburst signifies a break-up of the comet's core or a rich vein of ice suddenly exposed to sunlight. The comet is far from the Sun at 2.4 times Earth's distance from the Sun, and it is over 240 million km from Earth, so this is a major outburst for this comet which orbits the Sun every 7 years. Usually comets are only this bright when closest to the Sun, or the Earth, as with Comet LONEOS which we alerted you to on Oct. 17 (don't completely "Forget" about Comet LONEOS as I said above by the way, I was joking!). The great distance of Comet Holmes means it will not move much against the background stars over the next few days so the guide to finding it, given above, will work all this week. This is going to be the major story of the year (perhaps as big as Comet Hale-Bopp, the Great Comet of 1997?) so we want you all to tell us when you see the comet and keep us posted of any developments by emailing observe(a)astronomy.ie Keith Geary in Co. Cavan sent in the first photo of the comet - click www.astronomy.ie/HolmesKG2.jpg (See an extreme close-up photo in a big telescope in Italy here http://comete.uai.it:80/comete/17P_071024.jpg ) Note also that this comet is so bright that it can even be webcam'd and the images stacked to reveal any inner detail, an extremely rare opportunity! I have put a star map online of the comet's location here www.astronomy.ie/holmes1.gif and a close up of its path around Mirfak over the next month at www.astronomy.ie/holmes2.gif Even bright moonlight and city lights will not spoil the view of this incredible comet so keep sending those emails of sightings every night, and any photos to observe(a)astronomy.ie Clear skies! David Moore, Chairman. Astronomy Ireland the world's most popular astronomy club - join us today! www.astronomy.ie Also, Telescopes & Advice: Tel (01) 847 0777 Monday-Saturday

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[Astronomy Ireland] Funeral Arrangements & Online Book of Condolences
by AI Director 24 Oct '07

24 Oct '07

Dear Friends and Colleagues, Further to yesterday's mail regarding the sad and sudden death of our friend and colleague Colm J. Cannon, funeral arrangements have now been finalised and are as follows: Removal to the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Dunboyne this (Wednesday) evening, arriving at 7.00pm. Funeral tomorrow (Thursday) after 11.00am Mass to Rooske Cemetery, Dunboyne, Co. Meath. The official announcement can be read at www.loadza.com/display_results.php?cat_id=750 An online Book of Condolences has been opened at www.astronomy.ie/colmjcannon.html Your condolences will be printed, bound and given to Colm's family. May he rest in peace Astronomy Ireland

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[Astronomy Ireland] Colm J. Cannon 1969 - 2007
by AI Director 23 Oct '07

23 Oct '07

Colm J. Cannon 1969 - 2007 It is with the deepest regret that we announce the death of founder member of Astronomy Ireland, Colm J. Cannon, who died suddenly at his home in Co. Meath on Monday morning October 22nd, aged 38. He was born in Birmingham but spent most of his life since childhood at the family home in Dunboyne, Co. Meath. Astronomer, writer, and broadcaster, Colm was the spaceflight correspondent for Astronomy Ireland since the foundation of the society in 1990. His knowledge on the subject of spaceflight, both manned and unmanned, was encyclopaedic. Whenever a spaceflight issue arose Colm could always be relied upon to provide exceptional insights into the subject. Colm was something of an expert on solar observing. He ground his own mirror for a telescope and had his own backyard observatory. He served on many Astronomy Ireland committees in a voluntary capacity and in 1997 he was employed as a full-time staff writer when Astronomy & Space magazine was launched in the UK. Before helping to found Astronomy Ireland in 1990 he served on the committee of the Irish Astronomical Society. He left full-time employment with A&S magazine to work for Ireland's first national interactive science centre based in Tralee Co. Kerry where he made many friends. More recently he went on to work for the OPW in the Phoenix Park. Colm also gave many public lectures and appeared on TV and radio numerous times representing Astronomy Ireland. His enthusiasm is evident in the I.S.S Astronomy Ireland webpage www.astronomy.ie/iss.html He will be sadly missed by all who knew him and Astronomy Ireland wishes to convey our deepest sympathy to his family, his work colleagues in the OPW and to his many other friends. Hear Colm talk to Pat Kenny on RTE RADIO 1 (Monday January 9th 2006) about the Space Shuttle before giving the Astronomy Ireland New Year Public Lecture 2006. www.astronomy.ie/audio/patkenny_20060109.mp3 Astronomy Ireland is awaiting details on Colm's funeral arrangements and on his family's wishes with respect to floral tributes. On behalf of all the members of Astronomy Ireland, the society will be organising an appropriate floral tribute or charity donation. In addition to this, close friends of Colm in Astronomy Ireland will arrange a separate floral tribute (or charitable donation) which is being organised by David Grennan. If you would like to be associated with this tribute please contact David by e-mailing skydiary(a)astronomy.ie Funeral Arrangements: When details are finalised we will let you know the details in a further email. A Book of Condolences will be opened in the Astronomy Ireland offices in Artane and will be open to the public Monday - Saturday up to 5.30pm (Map: www.astronomy.ie/map.html ) David Moore Ben Emmett Chairman Director

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[Astronomy Ireland] New Comet, I.S.S. & "space chase", Orionids, Events
by AI Chairman 17 Oct '07

17 Oct '07

1. New Comet in Evening Skies A new comet has brightened to the point where it is visible in binoculars and should reach naked eye visibility at the end of this month. Comet LONEOS has already been spotted by several Irish observers, even from city lights, though it will be much better seen from dark rural skies. David Grennan has put up a webpage with details, star maps and an excellent video animation of the comet's path see www.astronomy.ie . We want you all to go outdoors every clear night for the rest of this month armed with this information and email us what you see at observe(a)astronomy.ie so we can report it in our next magazine www.astronomy.ie/sub . How bright will the comet get? Magnitude 3 perhaps (i.e.about as bright as the Andromeda Galaxy, but smaller and more compact and so even more visible?) but comets are notoriously difficult to predict and if this comet breaks up as some suggest then it could flare up even brighter. So please keep emailing us and tell us what you see... There are lots of planets to see this month (Jupiter and Mars in evening skies, Venus and Saturn making that rare planetary alignment - see our magazine for details www.astronomy.ie/sub ) 2. "Space Chase" and International Space Station. The I.S.S. is visible in evening skies once again (7:07pm tonight, Oct. 17) and you can see it every night until October 22nd. Unusually, there are 6 astronauts on board as a new crew docked with I.S.S. last Friday after being launched by a Russian Soyuz craft. Three of the six will return in a Soyuz craft on Sunday (Oct. 21) so we may get to see it chasing I.S.S. across the sky in a rare space chase. As usual we are issuing the very latest prediction and news of the "space chase" each afternoon on our long running Newsline, dial 1550-111-442 (calls cost 95c/min, or from U.K. dial 09001-88-19 50 calls cost 60p/min) or you can text the word "space" to 57003 and we'll send a reminder text 1 hour before I.S.S. flies over each evening (each text costs 1 euro). Proceeds from your calls help us promote astronomy remember. See Astronomy Ireland's webpage about the International Space Station for more details at www.astronomy.ie/iss.html and please get all your friends out watching I.S.S. each evening. 3. Orionid Meteor Shower This weekend the Orion meteor shower peaks. Saturday and Sunday nights will be best with an hourly rate 4 or 5 times higher than the normal shooting star rate. The Moon will set on Saturday night after 1am and that is when the very best viewing will be had. Do email us at observe(a)astronomy.ie and let us know what you see. 4. Events Evening Classes: You can still enrol at www.astronomy.ie/eveningclass.html until Oct. 18. More classes nationwide soon! Public Lecture Nov. 12: "Near Earth Asteroids" We have received funding to bring in a U.K. speaker on Nov. 12 so please book places now: www.astronomy.ie/lecture200711.html and find out why an asteroid may hit Earth in 2036! If you're outside Dublin order the DVD of the lecture now at www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html we go to great lengths to make sure everyone in Ireland can avail of these lectures at minimal cost so please use the DVD service Also coming soon, Nationwide Lectures (early November), Astro-Expo Nov. 11, Uranus Watches nationwide Nov. 13, Daytrip to Armagh Planetarium Nov. 24, Christmas Lecture Dec. 10. Stay tuned to this mailing list for more details... Astronomy Ireland the world's most popular astronomy club - join us today! www.astronomy.ie Also, Telescopes & Advice: Tel (01) 847 0777 Monday-Saturday

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[Astronomy Ireland] Evening Classes, Extrasolar Planets, Club Treasurer
by AI Director 02 Oct '07

02 Oct '07

1. Evening Classes: Astronomy Ireland's Beginner's Evening Classes begin on Thursday 11th October in Trinity College, Dublin. This course is specially designed with the beginner in mind and no knowledge of maths is required. So, if you always wanted to tell your friends that you attended Trinity College, then find out more and make good use of those wintry evenings ahead while meeting like minded people by checking out www.astronomy.ie/eveningclass.html or call (01) 847 07 77 Each of the eight classes lasts for two hours with a 10-15 minute break. The style is informal and questions are very much encouraged. The course includes: Introduction to the Night Sky The Sun & the Moon The Planets Stars The History of Astronomy Telescopes Deep Sky Objects Cosmology Cost: ?180 non-members including subscription to Astronomy and Space magazine for one year. ?130 for members. To hear Pat Kenny and Chairman David Moore discuss the Astronomy Ireland classes that commenced in February 2005 go to http://www.astronomy.ie/audio/patkenny_20050201.mp3 We are also working towards providing these classes in Cork, Athlone and possibly other centres throughout the country. We will keep you updated through the magazine and these emails. 2. October Public Lecture & DVD: Next Monday 8th October Astronomy Ireland is flying in world expert Dr. Ian Stevens of Birmingham University to Ireland to give a public lecture on "Extrasolar Planets and The Search For Life in The Universe". For everyone in Ireland this lecture will be available on DVD for just 5euro plus P&P. Extrasolar planets are planets that orbit stars other than the Sun and constitute perhaps the most exciting and rapidly developing area of astronomy today. From their initial discovery in 1995, around 250 are known ranging from planets larger than Jupiter down to the realm of Super-Earths (planets a few times the mass of the Earth, and presumably rocky bodies). Dr. Stevens will discuss the various ways of finding extrasolar planets, and our current understanding of them. He will also map out the exciting developments that will occur in the new few years and the possibility of directly imaging the surface of these distant extrasolar planets within the next 50 years. For more information on Dr. Stevens and his talk in The Physics Building Trinity College go to www.astronomy.ie/lecture200710.html 3 Treasurer: Astronomy Ireland requires a volunteer to help maintain the club's accounts. If you would like to help the society in this way then please write to director(a)astronomy.ie Many thanks and much gratitude is due to Sean Quinn who has provided this essential service for a number of years now. Unfortunately Sean will not be in a position to continue as treasurer of Astronomy Ireland from next January. Astronomy Ireland www.astronomy.ie Telescope Advice Monday to Saturday: Tel (01) 847 0777 (ask for the new 2007 catalogue)

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