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

[Astronomy Ireland] Star-B-Q, ISS+Shuttle SMS, Perseids, Printing, Telescopes, Cork+Galway
by AI Director 31 Jul '07

31 Jul '07

1. Star-B-Q: Today is your last chance to book at the reduced rate for our fantastic barbecue under the stars. See previous emails and www.astronomy.ie/sbq for details of Star-B-Q which will take place on Sept. 8 in the highest village in Ireland, Roundwood, Co. Wicklow. Lots of people from all around Ireland have already booked but if you, or anyone you know, would like a reduced rate ticket then today (July 31) is your last chance! We have already assembled the biggest collection of powerful telescopes ever in the society's history, so it should be a humdinger of an event. Jupiter and Mars are the main planets on view along with galaxies, star clusters, gas clouds and all the other wonders of the universe in a very dark sky away from city lights. Talks, demos, laser tour, food and refreshments are all included in the ticket price of just 30euro. Don't miss our biggest national event of 2007 and book today at www.astronomy.ie/sbq or call (01) 847 0777 2. I.S.S. - Shuttle Chase! (new SMS service): The International Space Station will be visible in our skies starting on Friday (until August 19) looking like a very bright 'star' to the naked eye every evening. Then next week just after midnight on Tuesday night the Space Shuttle Endeavour will be launched and it will be visible in our skies chasing ISS for a couple of days until they dock making the biggest man made craft ever assembled in space! This is similar to what happened in June and a record number of you called our premium rate Newsline (1550-111-442 calls cost 95c/min) to get the time to watch each evening and the latest news about the programme. Proceeds from this help us promote interest in astronomy nationwide. For more on ISS see the monthly ISS column in our magazine and visit www.astronomy.ie/iss.html TEXT service anyone? This time round we are toying with the idea of introducing a SMS based service. Would you be interested in receiving a text on your mobile phone giving the time to see ISS that night? Should we send it out early in the day, or say one hour before ISS/Shuttle is due to pass over, thereby reminding you closer to the time? How much do you think we should charge per text? 50cent? 1euro? more? less? This is just some 'market research' at this stage, so by replying to this email you are not committing to subscribe to a SMS service, but we would value your comments greatly. 3. Perseid Meteor Shower: We've already had a few reports of people seeing Perseid shooting stars so just a reminder that one of the best meteor showers of the year peaks on the night of August 12, bur remember you can see significant numbers for several days before/after Aug. 12 and even a few a couple of weeks before/after. See David Grennan's write up of the Perseids on page 27 of our August magazine (still available by post on www.astronomy.ie/sub) On maximum night you should see a dozen more meteors than normal. 4. Printing Leaflets: From time to time the society prints leaflets like membership forms and we are seeking a printer who can do this at minimal cost for us. Do you work in this business or know anyone who does who can give us reasonable or reduced rates? 5. Comet + Jupiter: Just a reminder for those of you with telescopes, or thinking of getting a scope this month: Comet LINEAR is still 7th-8th magnitude which is about 10 times brighter than we expected (see our July magazine page 28 for star map showing its position). This is the last week to see the comet before it gets too low for us. Jupiter puts on a stunning show every evening as the brightest 'star' in the Southern sky each evening. Owners of even small telescopes can see its moons and their events: from the table on page 26 of our August magazine don't miss Ganymede going behind Jupiter Wed at 10:09pm, Europa vanishing into Jupiter's shadow on Friday at 12:19am, and Io going behind Jupiter at 9:32pm on Sunday. Lots more events for the rest of August are in the magazine. Owners of larger scopes can watch out for the Great Red Spot crossing the centre of the planet this week on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday - see the table of exact times on page 26 of our August magazine. There's a lot to see so get your scope out in any clear periods this week. Tell us what you see at observe(a)astronomy.ie for our monthly magazine report. 6. Nationwide Lectures: Don't forget European Space Agency author Stuart Clark will be giving lectures for the society in Cork, Galway and Dublin in a few days time so book your tickets for "The Day the Sun Attacked the Earth" at www.astronomy.ie/stuartclarklectures.html today! He'll be signing copies of his new book "The Sun Kings" at the event. If you cannot get along you can order the DVD of his lecture right now at www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html Survey: If you live near Cork or Galway will you be going to the lecture? If no, why not? Email answer to director(a)astronomy.ie Thank you. Astronomy Ireland www.astronomy.ie Telescope Advice Monday to Saturday: Tel (01) 847 0777 (ask for the new 2007 catalogue)

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[Astronomy Ireland] Star-B-Q offer ends July 31
by AI Director 27 Jul '07

27 Jul '07

Star-B-Q Special Offer Ends July 31 www.astronomy.ie/sbq The 10euro discount off the normal price of 40euro applying to all adults expires next Tuesday July 31st, so hurry to avail of this special offer. From Wednesday August 1st the normal price of 40euro per adult (30euro for under 16's) applies. Astronomy Ireland invites you to its annual fund-raising Star-B-Q event in the grounds and clubhouse of Roundwood GAA Club Co. Wicklow. We are expecting our biggest crowd ever on September 8th with people travelling from all over the country. Some people are even flying in from the UK, so don't miss it. Bring all your friends and have a great night. We can cater for up to 1,000 people. So come along to our Barbeque Under The Stars, or Star-B-Q, on Saturday September 8th at 8:00pm to see and experience: ٭ The largest number and variety of telescopes ever gathered together for one event in the history of Astronomy Ireland. ٭ Celestron's new SkyScout will also be unveiled for the first time in Ireland. This amazing gadget is the easiest way yet to learn your way around the night sky. ٭ The cloud belts and moons of Jupiter. The Great Red Spot will also be visible on the night. ٭ Get your first sight of the planet Mars this season ٭ Galaxies, nebulae and star clusters galore. Look back in time through a telescope to see parts of the universe as they were before man walked the Earth. All this in addition to: ٭ Professionally catered Bar-B-Q food, soft drinks, and hot beverages included in price ٭ Slide Show – “The Universe” by David Moore, Ireland's best-known astronomer ٭ Naked Eye Guide (learn the constellations using Ireland’s most powerful hand-held lasers) ٭ A lecture on telescopes from Astronomy & Space contributor Emlyn Jones ٭ 'Live' webcam demo on big screen by Eamonn O'Fearchain ٭ A compact workshop on using binocular for astronomy featuring our 25x100mm monsters! ٭ Extremely dark skies despite only a short drive from Dublin ٭ Advice, chat and 'craic' all night long ٭ FREE draw for 12x60mm Binoculars, and special offers on Telescopes at the Shop stand This year we also hope to have a keynote speaker to open the proceedings. For more information and to book online log on to www.astronomy.ie/sbq or call (01) 847 0777 Check website for accommodation in the area if you planning on staying overnight. Information on Bus service from Dublin City also on website. Hurry and book for all your friends and family before the July 31st offer expires! Astronomy Ireland www.astronomy.ie Telescope Advice Monday to Saturday: Tel (01) 847 0777 (Ask for new catalogue)

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[Astronomy Ireland] Nationwide Lecture Programme Initiative
by AI Director 25 Jul '07

25 Jul '07

Cork * Galway * Dublin Astronomy Ireland, as part of its new initiative to organise and promote more events throughout the country, is proud to announce the first in a series of countrywide lectures. This pilot scheme begins with lectures in Cork, Galway and Dublin by the renowned author Dr. Stuart Clarke. This event is being organised for members throughout the country so please support the society by coming along. It's also a chance to meet amateur astronomers and other interested people in your part of the country. Very soon we hope to announce another lecture tour of the country by another well known speaker. The pilot scheme begins with the following exciting event: The Day the Sun Attacked the Earth In September 1859, our planet was battered by a blob of superheated gas, spat out during the most violent solar flare in recorded history. When the superheated gas collided with our atmosphere, the northern lights were seen as far south as the Caribbean! Around the world telegraph systems crashed, machines burst into flames, and electric shocks rendered operators unconscious. Compasses and other sensitive instruments reeled as if struck by a massive magnetic fist. These bizarre effects caused a huge debate among astronomers, many of whom doubted that the Sun could affect the Earth this way across a distance of 150 million km. The 1859 solar flare was the most widely observed astronomical event in history, but until this year it was largely forgotten. Interest in the event has been revived because 2007 is the International Heliophysical Year - with teams of astronomers across the world cooperating in the study of our local star, upon which all life on Earth depends. A new book about the 1859 event has recently been published. The Sun Kings: The Unexpected Tragedy of Richard Carrington and the Tale of How Modern Astronomy Began, was written by Stuart Clark, European Space Agency science writer, former editor of the British magazine Astronomy Now, and one of the UK's best known popular science authors. His book also reveals new details about the sordid scandal that destroyed Richard Carrington's reputation and led him from the highest echelons of science to the lowest reaches of love, villainy and revenge. Dr Clarke is doing a promotional lecture tour and book signing for Astronomy Ireland in Cork, Galway and Dublin this August, appearing at the following venues - August 13 (Monday) 8pm Millennium Hall, Cork. August 14 (Tuesday) 8pm Arts Millennium Building - NUI Galway August 15 (Wednesday) 8pm Trinity College Dublin - Physics Building These lectures have been organised by Astronomy Ireland, in association with NUI Galway and Cork Institute of Technology. Admission: 5 euro (3 euro to AI members, Under 18's, OAP's) Organiser: Astronomy Ireland Tickets are available at the door or visit www.astronomy.ie or call Astronomy Ireland on (01) 847 0777 ALL WELCOME Book Signing: Copies of Dr. Clark's book will be available at the venues for 25 euro each and the author will be more than happy to sign a copy for you. DVD available: If you are unable to make it to any of the venues a copy of the lecture will be available on DVD for only 5 Euro each (plus P&P). You can order these now online at www.astronomy.ie and click 'Lecture DVDs' in the menu on the left-hand-side. If you are not already a member of Astronomy Ireland and receiving our full colour monthly magazine you can join here: www.astronomy.ie/sub Astronomy Ireland www.astronomy.ie Telescope Advice Monday to Saturday: Tel (01) 847 0777 (Ask for new catalogue)

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[Astronomy Ireland] Venus Big Crescent, Comet LINEAR, Office
by AI Chairman 09 Jul '07

09 Jul '07

1. Venus Rare Big Crescent This is the last week to see Venus in evening skies. It's getting lower in the West after sunset every day and by next week it will be too low to spot with the naked eye anymore. However, Venus puts on a spectacular show as it bows out. Because it is coming closer to Earth its disk swells up in to a huge 40 arc second wide crescent. This is a very rare sight and it only lasts a few weeks. The big crescent will not be seen again in evening skies like this until March 2009. So get your telescope out and take a look before it is gone! (large binoculars should show the crescent too). Next Monday and Tuesday July 16 and 17 the Moon will be near Venus (and Saturn) as the diagram on page 22 of your July magazine shows www.astronomy.ie/sub . Please send your sightings and photos to observe(a)astronomy.ie for the report in our magazine. Telescope owners: Don't forget the dust storm on Mars (see previous email). See Jupiter's moon events and Great Red Spot, lots to see this week - see pages 26 & 27 of your July magazine, there is something special to see every night this week (except Wednesday). Ad: Not got a telescope yet? Download the new catalogue and then call us (01-8470777) for the lowest prices in the world www.astronomy.ie/AItelescopes.pdf 2. Comet LINEAR Magnitude 7! Page 28 of your July magazine shows the path of a new comet "C/2006 VZ13 (LINEAR)" to give its official title, or "VZ13" for short. However, we suggested Comet VZ13 would only be magnitude 9 or 10 but in fact it is already magnitude 7 to 8. It should peak in brightness at magnitude 7.0 later this month. This means VZ13 is now visible in binoculars and telescopes from dark skies. Comet VZ13 is well placed for observing from our latitudes being almost overhead each evening. On July 22nd it will pass very close to the lovely globular star cluster M3. Again, please send sightings and photos to observe(a)astronomy.ie 3. Office - Network Adapters Thanks to all of you who offered help our expanded offices are taking shape nicely. This will allow us to do more all around Ireland to promote astronomy. If anyone has any surplus wireless network adaptors please email our new Director Ben Emmett at director(a)astronomy.ie 4. Events: Until July 22: Your one opportunity to see just what a space telescope looks like www.dias.ie/index.php?section=general&subsection=JWST July 9: "Birth of Stars & Planets" Come to the lecture by Dr Emma Whelan or order the DVD www.astronomy.ie/lecture200707.html until July 11: Our October Evening Class special offer, save 50euro now www.astronomy.ie/eveningclass.html Sept. 8: Star-B-Q - Ireland's Biggest Annual Astro Event. For everyone in Ireland! Book by July 31 and save 10euro www.astronomy.ie/sbq Astronomy Ireland www.astronomy.ie Telescope Advice Monday to Saturday: Tel (01) 847 0777 (ask for new catalogue

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[Astronomy Ireland] JWST in Ireland, Sky At Night, "Birth of Stars & Planets" Lecture+DVD July 9
by AI Exec Secretary 05 Jul '07

05 Jul '07

(1) "Hubble 2.0" Model to stay in Dublin until July 22 The full-scale model of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will remain at Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin for public viewing until Sunday, July 22. Known unofficially as "Hubble 2.0", the JWST is due to be launched in 2013, and will peer to the very edge of creation to unlock the secrets of our cosmic origins. The 2.5 billion Euro project is an international cooperative venture, and the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) was selected to construct crucial filters and beam splitters for the telescope's instruments. More details available at - www.dias.ie/index.php?section=general&subsection=JWST When new incredible pictures of the Universe start rolling in in 2013 you will be able to say you stood under its full-size model on the only occasion that it came to Europe! This is something every astronomy fan in Ireland (and the rest of Europe) should see before they die! (2) Sky at Night Repeats on Sunday & Monday The BBC screened the July issue of the Sky at Night at 12:35am Tuesday July 3, but it will be repeated on Sunday July 8 at 12:00pm on BBC2, and also on BBC Four TV at 8:30pm on Monday July 9. The brilliant Dr John Mason joins Sir Patrick Moore to discuss the summer constellation of Scorpius. (3) Lecture & DVD: How Stars and Planets are Made Astronomy Ireland's Summer Public Lecture will be held on Monday July 9th and will be made available on DVD for everyone in Ireland. The talk is aimed at the general public and is suitable for people of all ages, so bring all your family and friends. For those unable to make it to the talk, a DVD of this lecture can be ordered at low cost (5euro + P&P) on www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html Our nearest star, the Sun, is only one of over one hundred thousand million (100,000,000,000) stars in our Galaxy, the Milky Way. Our Galaxy, in turn, is only one of approximately one hundred thousand million galaxies in the known universe, but where did all these stars come from? What are they made of and how did they form? These are just some of the questions Irish scientist Dr. Emma Whelan will answer at her Astronomy Ireland Summer Public Lecture next Monday evening. Dr. Emma Whelan of the School of Cosmic Physics in the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies (DIAS) is involved in research into how stars, and consequently planets are formed. Dr. Whelan and Professor Tom Ray of DIAS have done extensive research on outflows from Brown Dwarfs using the state-of-the-art VLT Telescope in Chile. Their ground-breaking research on these "failed stars" has shed light into how stars are born in the first instance. In this lecture Dr. Whelan will talk about the research undertaken at DIAS, as well as bringing us up to date with research into this exciting area of astronomy worldwide. Lecture Title: "The Birth of Stars and Planets" Lecture Venue: Physics Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2 Date: Monday, July 9th Time: 8:00pm Admission: 5euro (3euro to concessions) Organiser: Astronomy Ireland ALL WELCOME Tickets are available at the door or visit www.astronomy.ie or call Astronomy Ireland on (01) 847 07 77. DVD available at www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html or by call (01) 847 07 77. Astronomy Ireland www.astronomy.ie Telescope Advice Monday to Saturday: Tel (01) 847 0777

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