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

[Astronomy Ireland] Astronomy Ireland Public Lecture in Dundalk IT on Thursday
by AI Exec Secretary 27 Feb '07

27 Feb '07

Astronomy Ireland Public Lecture In association with Dundalk IT Astronomical Society "Sun, Stars, Shadows and Stones" Ancient Astronomers of the Boyne Valley By Anthony Murphy - astronomer and co-author "Island of the Setting Sun" On Thursday 1 March, Drogheda-based astronomer and author Anthony Murphy will give a public lecture in Dundalk IT entitled ""Sun, Stars, Shadows and Stones". The lecture will deal with the recent uncovering of a highly sophisticated knowledge of astronomy among the megalithic peoples of the Boyne valet, and how this astronomical culture lives on in the place names and monuments of the region to this day. The subject is dealt with in extensive detail in the book "Island of the Setting Sun" which Anthony Murphy co-wrote with Drogheda artist Richard Moore. The speaker will be conducting a book-signing at the event. Admission is ?5 (?3 concessions) at the door. All Welcome Date: Thursday 1 March Time: 07:30pm Venue: Main Theatre, Nursing Building (room N128), Dundalk IT, Dublin Road. Admission: ?5 (?3 concessions) For further detail contact Emmet Mordaunt - (01) 847 01 95 / 087 20 20 558. [Ends]

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[Astronomy Ireland] Pat Kenny Show and Observing Notes
by Astronomy Ireland 12 Feb '07

12 Feb '07

1. Pat Kenny did a fascinating 15 minute interview with John Gribbin this morning which is now online for everyone (in the world) to hear. Go to http://www.rte.ie/radio1/todaywithpatkenny/ and click on "Monday" in the box at lower right entitled "Shows from the past" The interview starts 37 minutes 45seconds in to the show but you can quickly move the "slider" to near this time and listen from there. (This is a streaming audio link - does anyone know how to 'download' the actual file? Or is this impossible? Perhaps to protect copyright?) Dr Gribbin will give Astronomy Ireland's February Public Lecture tonight at 8pm in the Hamilton Building in Trinity College Dublin which will be recorded on to DVD for everyone in Ireland. Doors open at 7:30pm if you can get to Dublin and haven't already bought a ticket. His new book "The Universe, A biography" (hardback) will be on sale and he will sign it for you. Those outside Dublin can order (and keep) the DVD of the lecture for 5euro at www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html At 4:30pm today (Feb 12) Dr Gribbin will appear on RTE 1 TV on the Seoige & O'Shea show 2. Venus is now a spectacular sight in evening skies just after sunset low in the southwest. But for the first few days of this week look 10 degrees to its lower right and you should see the elusive planet Mercury. Although much dimmer than Venus we could easily see it with the naked eye last week. Mercury will be too low by the end of this week but Venus will be an evening object for months. On Sunday the Moon will pass in front of the planet Uranus - an extremely rare event. You will need a telescope as Uranus is dim and there will be strong twilight (see magazine). Next Monday Feb 19 Venus will be very close to the Moon in what should be a spectacular sight to the naked eye (see magazine). An extremely bright fireball (brighter than the Full Moon) was seen at 8:30pm Feb 3 from all across Ireland and the U.K. If you saw it please fill in the report form at www.astronomy.ie/fireball.html Starting on Valentine's Night (Feb 14) the International Space Station will be seen every evening for 2 weeks crossing Irish skies as a brilliant naked eye 'star'. Get predictions off the net or call our Newsline 1550-111-442 (calls cost 95c/min) every afternoon for the time to watch that night, and any other news e.g. where to see it pass in front of the Moon etc. More details of observing all the planets (Saturn and Jupiter are on view this week also) and these Moon events are in our magazine every month. The March issue is out later this week and features the Total Eclipse of the Moon on March 3, the best for many years, so order your copy in time for the Eclipse now only 19 days away! www.astronomy.ie/sub (1 issue is 5euro, 12 issues are just 40euro, and support Astronomy Ireland). ASTRONOMY IRELAND - the world's most popular astronomy society Details and information on www.astronomy.ie or call (01) 847 07 77 ( visit Ireland's BIGGEST telescope showroom when next in Dublin www.astronomy.ie/map.html )

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[Astronomy Ireland] MAJOR PUBLIC LECTURE FEB 12 - TV, RADIO, *BOOK SIGNING*
by Secretary AI 08 Feb '07

08 Feb '07

Acclaimed British science author Dr John Gribbin will be in Dublin on Monday February 12 to give a public lecture taken from his new book: "THE UNIVERSE - A BIOGRAPHY" Although a larger theatre has been booked a lot of tickets have already been sold so you should book now at www.astronomy.ie or call our Shop on (01) 847 0777 His Lecture will deal with one section of his book, what will happen when the Sun dies. On this week's A.I.Radio Show he promised a new slant on this - "there's a twist in the story which I'm only going to reveal in the talk". You can download the show at www.astronomy.ie/AIRS and click on the "February 06" show. Dr. Gribbin will be promoting his book on TV, Radio and in the Newspapers while he is here. If you cannot get to Dublin you can get the lecture on DVD and you can also see, hear and read about him in the national media we have organised for his visit : On Monday morning Dr Gribbin will be interviewed on the TODAY WITH PAT KENNY SHOW (RTE Radio 1 10am-12pm) Then he will appear on the television show "SEOIGE & O'SHEA" (RTE 1 TV 4:30pm-5:20pm) The Irish Times are running an article (date uncertain), and there should be lots of other 'press' for this visit. BOOK SIGNING will be both before and after the lecture where you can buy the book (29.50euro). Doors open 7:30pm. Details here www.penguin.co.uk/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780713998573,00.html At 8pm he gives his PUBLIC LECTURE for Astronomy Ireland and the Trinity Astronomy & Space Society. Dr Gribbin will then attend a private reception in his honour. Book lecture tickets now at www.astronomy.ie or order the DVD at www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html Venue Hamilton Building, Trinity College Dublin. Date Monday 12 February, 8:00pm Admission 5euro (3euro for concessions) ASTRONOMY IRELAND - for telescopes and information call (01) 847 0777 www.astronomy.ie ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.411 / Virus Database: 268.17.30/674 - Release Date: 07/02/2007

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