May 2008 - astronomy@lists.redbrick.dcu.ie

[Astronomy Ireland] Come Meet the Head ESA Astronaut at A.I. Shop in Dublin
by AI Chairman 14 May '08

14 May '08

[sorry for 2 emails the same day but this is important] Ireland has been honoured! As you will know if you have read page 29 of the June issue of our magazine, ESA is hiring more astronauts, starting next week. They obviously want Irish astronauts because they are sending over the Head of the ESA Astronaut Corps Gerhard Thiele to promote the astronaut jobs just a few days before the public can apply for the positions, which must be an exceptionally busy time for him. Many of you will have met Dr Thiele when he gave the keynote speech to open our Astro-Expo 2004 in Dublin. He is pictured here being interviewed by TV3 www.astronomy.ie/astroexpo2004_report.html Well, you can meet him again as he is coming to Astronomy Ireland's offices and Shop in Dublin at 2pm on Thursday May 15th. Come along if you want to meet an astronaut. We will interview him for the magazine and our Radio Show (which will be transmitted next Tuesday at 8pm worldwide via the internet and on 103.2FM in Leinster area, as usual). Sorry for the short notice but we only found out this evening. If you cannot get along, perhaps to get some tips on becoming an Irish astronaut, please send any questions to sec(a)astronomy.ie and you should hear them answered in the magazine and/or on the Radio Show P.S. Don't forget Astronomy Ireland will be in Limerick the next day (May 16) for the NASA Astronaut who is giving a Public Lecture for us and at which we will launch our Evening Classes for Limerick. By the way, Belfast, Letterkenny and Tralee Classes are just about to be launched also - see www.astronomy.ie/eveningclass.html to book 6 venues so far, and keep checking for more to come. P.P.S. There is loads to see in the sky on the 'practical astronomy' front, for all you telescope and binocular users: Mercury is still just about visible in evening skies. Mars is in the same binocular field of view as the Beehive Star Cluster - it will pass in front of it next week. Saturn was a superb sight next to the Moon on Monday and it's near Regulus for several weeks and an incredible sight in a telescope. Jupiter blazes low in the South in morning skies. The I.S.S. starts evening passes next week (text SPACE to 57003 today for daily predictions for 1euro each). The Moon is a superb sight up close in telescopes all week. More details are in our magazine and do get a telescope in the sale this month from our Shop while they are hundreds of euros cheaper than the same model in other Shops in Europe! Order online at www.astronomy.ie/shop or call for advice (01) 847 0777 Monday to Saturday. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular astronomy club ( To subscribe/unsubscribe click here ) Ireland's Only Astronomy Magazine www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat Delivery Nationwide

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[Astronomy Ireland] NASA Limerick Lecture, Irish Astronaut, Evening Classes
by AI Secretary 14 May '08

14 May '08

1. NASA Astronaut to give FREE A.I. Lecture in Limerick Astronomy Ireland are proud to announce this Free Public Lecture by NASA astronaut Capt. John McBride. The talk will take place in the Jean Monet Theatre, University of Limerick this Friday evening (May 16) at 8pm. We will use this event to launch our Evening Classes in Limerick, see below. Capt. McBride's talk is titled "NASA Space Programme; Past, Present and Future" and will be followed by a 'Questions & Answers" session. Capt. McBride has successfully performed many roles within NASA and was the pilot on the first shuttle mission to carry seven astronauts. There's more information about this lecture on www.astronomy.ie We have made great efforts to arrange this at short notice so please make every effort to come along on the night. We are also looking for some AI members in the region to help out on the night. Please write to sec(a)astronomy.ie or call (01) 8470777 if you can assist. 2. Search begins for first Irish Astronaut >From next Monday (May 19th) the European Space Agency (ESA) will commence the search for prospective astronauts. As Ireland is a member of the European Space Agency, any Irish citizen can apply. In 1991 over 700 Irish people applied for similar astronaut jobs and ESA expects 30,000 applications this time round. See the June issue of 'Astronomy & Space' magazine for further details, page 29. 3. Astronomy for Beginners - 3 more venues Our ever popular Beginner's Course in Astronomy classes will begin again on October 9th. We are especially pleased to announce that the classes will be held in Athlone, Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Letterkenny and Tralee. These classes are proving to be very popular so it is possible to book now on www.astronomy.ie/eveningclass.html This represents a great opportunity to learn a little bit more about this fascinating subject and to meet other like minded people. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular astronomy club ( To subscribe/unsubscribe click here ) Ireland's Only Astronomy Magazine www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat Delivery Nationwide

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[Astronomy Ireland] Sky At Night(TV), Mars-Moon-Grand Opening, Great 3-D Lecture
by AI Chairman 09 May '08

09 May '08

1. "Sky At Night" BBC 2 May 10 Honorary life member of Astronomy Ireland, Sir Patrick Moore presented the May edition of the BBC's "Sky At Night" last Monday morning, but it is repeated on Saturday May 10 from 2:20pm to 2:40pm on BBC 2 TV. Subject this month is the extent of what is known about the universe. The Show is also made available online www.bbc.co.uk/skyatnight eventually. 2. Mars Occultation At Grand Opening Tomorrow (May 10) is the big day. Not only will our Shop be holding its Grand Opening with food, refreshments and low prices all day long from 10am to 6pm, but at 1:20pm and 1:53pm the Moon will cover, then uncover the planet Mars. Although this is in broad daylight we'll use the telescopes from the Shop to show you this event. You can, of course, see it from everywhere in Ireland if you have a telescope, see our May magazine for details and times and please report if you see it to observe(a)astronomy.ie (and thanks for all of you who have reported your Mercury sightings there, keep them coming, we have a few days left this year to see Mercury) Grand Opening: www.astronomy.ie/opening.html Order Telescopes Online: www.astronomy.ie/shop 3. Brilliant Lecture on Monday David Moore (AI Chairman) writes: "I just wanted to let you all know about the amazing presentation we have lined up for you on Monday. The 3-D display that Robert Hill is presenting on Monday will astound you. He is bringing a state of the art 3-D projection system and we will all get special 3-D glasses to see the full effect. Robert will spend hours with several helpers just setting up the equipment on Monday. The computer simulations of spacecraft and astronomical bodies jumping out of the screen at you will be breathtaking. Although Robert is talking about his educational pursuits, isn't that what we all want to do, learn about astronomy? So this should be a mind-blowing event for everyone. I can guarantee this as I have heard Robert talk on many occasions and he is an absolutely superb public speaker. I can't wait for Monday night, I hope I will see you all there! " Monday night (May 12) at 8pm in Trinity College Dublin (Physics Building). Full details at www.astronomy.ie/lecture200805.html If you cannot make it please order the DVD via the above webpage. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular astronomy club ( To subscribe/unsubscribe click here ) Ireland's Only Astronomy Magazine www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat Delivery Nationwide

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[Astronomy Ireland] 3-D Show, Pulsars, Grand Opening, What to See
by AI Chairman 07 May '08

07 May '08

1. Youth, Education and 3-D Stereoscopic images Next Monday evening at 8pm in the Physics Building, Trinity College, Dublin, Robert Hill of the Northern Ireland Space Office will give a public lecture (available on DVD nationwide) entitled "Engaging Youth: An Astronomical Journey in 3-D". Robert will explain how he uses the fascinating subject of Astronomy to interest the youth of today in a lifelong love of science. these youth will then hopefully study science in further education and become the engineers and scientists that the economy so badly needs. Robert's talk will include the latest in 3D stereoscopic equipment to demonstrate how stereo animation and interaction may change the future of education in classrooms across Ireland over the next ten to twenty years. As a former Business Manager and Science Communicator for Armagh Planetarium, Robert designed and created the highly acclaimed exhibition 'From Earth to the Heavens' and has worked with several other science centres to help in the realisation of exciting and stimulating European space related exhibitions. He also founded the Astrogazers Ireland Astronomy schools network, working with teachers to gain confidence in using astronomy resources for the classroom. This talk will be of interest to anyone who has an interest in either astronomy, education, the youth of today, or 3-D images. Admission 5euro (3euro if you show the current issue of our magazine at the door). More information on the talk, the speaker, or how to order the DVD can be found at www.astronomy.ie 2. SDAS The next South Dublin Astronomical Society meeting will be held tomorrow, Thursday, May 8th at 8pm in Gonzaga College, Ranelagh. "Parkes and Pulsars" is the title of the talk to be given by Mr. Al White. Al will talk about his recent trip to Australia where he visited the Parkes Radio Telescope. Al was awarded a MSc in Astronomy while there and congratulations are also due on his recent engagement! All welcome and admission is free. 3. Prices Slashed for month of May & GRAND OPENING on Saturday For our Shop's Grand Opening this Saturday May 10 from 10am to 6pm we have slashed the prices on all telescopes and accessories for the month of May only! See Mars occulted by the Moon at 1:20pm and 1:53pm at the Grand Opening. Food and refreshments will be served all day. You can view the new price list now at www.astronomy.ie/GrandOpening2008.htm and all the new low prices are in effect now ! You can order online at www.astronomy.ie/shop now, or call (01) 847 0777 six days a week to place orders. Prices are now lower here in Ireland than every shop in Europe! Grand Opening details here 4. Viewing Highlights This Week - loads to see! There is a lot to see in Irish skies this week. Full details are in our magazine (www.astronomy.ie/sub) but here are the highlights so you don't miss anything! Mercury is making its best evening appearance all this week. Less than 1% of the world's population has ever seen it but it's to find easy if you know where to look. Email observe(a)astronomy.ie if you see it. Mars is in Gemini and lines up with Castor and Pollux making a very distinctive '3 stars in a line' this week. Saturn is in Leo, high in the South, and is closest to Regulus making a very distinctive bright 'double star' to the naked eye for the next few weeks. May 12 it will be very close to the Moon. Very few of you are sending in photos of Saturn despite it being so well placed and prices on scopes and the NexImage camera have been slashed - call for advice? Jupiter is blazing in morning skies just before sunrise. Moon occults Mars in broad daylight on Saturday May 10. This will be a special target at our Shop's Grand Opening but you can see it everywhere in Ireland. In a telescope the Moon is always an incredible sight up-close. Get full details of all the above in the Sky Diary pages of our magazine now www.astronomy.ie/sub Please email observe(a)astronomy.ie if you see any of these sights. Call our Shop staff 6 days a week for telescope advice. 5. Nationwide Coming Events: May 10 Shop Grand Opening and Mars Occultation May 12 3-D Lecture Aug. 30 Star-B-Q Oct. 09 Evening Classes (nationwide) - enrol now Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular astronomy club ( To subscribe/unsubscribe click here ) Ireland's Only Astronomy Magazine www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat Delivery Nationwide

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