May 2009 - astronomy@lists.redbrick.dcu.ie

[Astronomy Ireland] Upcoming Events, Images of Saturn
by AI Secretary 28 May '09

28 May '09

1. Upcoming Events There are several AI events taking place over the next few weeks: June 3 - Saturn Watches All Over Ireland This event promises to be our best Saturn Watch in 15 years, and takes place at locations all across the country next Wednesday, June 3rd. Through the telescopes that we set up you will be treated to an astounding view of Saturn, its famous ring system, as well as several of its larger moons. All Watches will take place at 10pm and will go ahead regardless of weather. For details of your nearest Watch and for more information click HERE. If you want to set up a telescope in your area, with our support, email sec(a)astronomy.ie or call us on (01) 847 0777. June 8 - Irish Planet Hunters David Grennan and David Mc Donald, Ireland's leading asteroid hunters, deliver the first of our Summer Lecture Series in Trinity College Dublin. At this event, they will discuss their recent and exciting asteroid discoveries, and how it feels to have made Irish history. There will be a social reception at 9:30pm in The Lombard following the lecture, all are welcome to attend. For more information about this lecture, to book your tickets or order your DVD, click HERE. June 15 - Hanny's Voorwerp Hanny Van Arkel will treat lecture goers to the story of her amazing discovery in space. While classifying galaxies using an online programme called 'Galaxy Zoo', Hanny came across an image of a galaxy that also had an unusual 'blob' or 'Voorwerp' next to it, generating a storm of interest among scientists and the media alike. Hanny will give us an insight into the 'blob', the theories behind its existence, and how citizen science plays an important part in developing our understanding of the universe. There will be a social reception at 9:30pm in The Lombard following the lecture, all are welcome to attend. For more information about this lecture and to book your tickets click HERE. June 17 - Hanny's Voorwerp Hanny Van Arkel will also deliver this exciting lecture in Letterkenny IT, Donegal, on Wednesday June 17. For more information about this lecture and to book your tickets click HERE. 2. Images of Saturn We are looking for the most popular images of Saturn, to be included on our website. If you have any particular favourites among the many breathtaking images of the ringed planet, please send the links only (no attachments please!) to astronomyirelandsecretary(a)gmail.com. Please do not reply to this email address with Saturn images. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club AND Ireland's Only Astronomy Magazine www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Nationwide Saturn Watches, Astronomy Stamps, Den TV
by AI Secretary 26 May '09

26 May '09

1. Nationwide Saturn Watch Our best Saturn Watch in 15 years will take place at locations across the country next Wednesday, June 3rd at 10pm. The planet Saturn and its moons have already been putting on a fantastic display for us in the night sky, and through the telescopes that we will have set up you will easily see Saturn as well as several of its larger moons. Not only this, you will be able to see Saturn's fantastic ring system, which is as close to 'edge-on' as we will see for 15 years. This astounding celestial sight is not to be missed, and we want everyone to come along to their local Saturn Watch to witness these amazing events and to support Astronomy Ireland in promoting science and astronomy nationwide. Currently confirmed locations include: Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Louth, Mayo and Waterford For details of your nearest Watch and for more information click HERE. If you want to set up a telescope in your area, with our support, email sec(a)astronomy.ie or call us on (01) 847 0777. See the diagram of what Saturn and its moons will look like HERE. 2. An Post IYA Stamps As part of the celebrations for the International Year of Astronomy (IYA) and in conjunction with the Europa stamp collection (issued every year by European postal authorities to promote public awareness of a shared European culture), two stamps have been launched by An Post featuring world-famous astronomical images. The An Post stamps contain images of the Crab Nebula and a Brown Dwarf, and are an exciting release for astronomers and stamp collectors alike. For more information about the stamps visit www.irishstamps.ie. 3. Den TV wants Junior Astronomers! RTE's long-running and ever-popular children's TV show, 'The Den', is looking for kids with an enthusiasm for astronomy to come together with like-minded children to have a chat about what they love about their fascinating hobby. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your child's interest in astronomy and it will also give them a chance to be a star for a day! The anticipated feature is a series of 30 second soundbites from children aged 8 to 13, and these soundbites are broadcast throughout the year on 'The Den'. Filming will take place next week and for more information please email sec(a)astronomy.ie or call us on (01) 847 0777. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club AND Ireland's Only Astronomy Magazine www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )

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[Astronomy Ireland] School Posters, Atlantis Lands, Comet Kopff
by AI Secretary 22 May '09

22 May '09

1. Free Posters For Schools As you know, Astronomy Ireland recently launched a new Schools' Lecture Programme, and to date we have received an excellent response from the schools we visit. We have now added to the programme with a pack of various giant, full-colour space posters for your school, which you will receive from our Education Officer on the day of the talk. If you are a parent, teacher or pupil and would like a visit to your school please go to www.astronomy.ie/outreach, call Ciara or Joseph on (01) 847 0777 or email sec(a)astronomy.ie. 2. Atlantis Touches Down After a successful repair mission to the Hubble Space Telescope, the shuttle Atlantis is coming home, bringing with it the seven crew members from the last ever mission to the famous telescope. The shuttle landing, originally scheduled for Friday, May 22, at 3:01pm, has now been postponed due to bad weather at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. Touchdown is now due to take place on Saturday, May 23 at 2:16pm, the first available landing opportunity in Florida. You can watch the landing live on www.nasa.gov/ntv and check www.nasa.gov for updates. A full report with pictures is being prepared for our magazine. 3. What to See in Irish Skies There are several special events in Irish skies for the next few days: a.. Comet Kopff is close to Jupiter in morning skies (closest end of May/early June). See star map to locate it on page 26 of our May magazine. b.. Venus and Mars are also in morning skies, to the lower left of Jupiter all month. c.. Neptune is close to Jupiter, closest May 26 d.. Saturn is well placed for evening viewing high in the South. e.. Its moons are putting on spectacular once-in-15-year displays right now. See magazine Sky Diary for table of times to watch! f.. New Moon on Sunday May 24. For lots more to see and reports of what Irish people have been seeing, see Sky Diary pages of our magazine. Please email what you see to observe(a)astronomy.ie for our magazine report. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club AND Ireland's Only Astronomy Magazine www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Summer Lecture Series, What to See, ISS Crosses Saturn
by AI Secretary 19 May '09

19 May '09

1. Summer Lecture Series As part of our Summer Lecture Series, Astronomy Ireland will be holding three public lectures in June. Irish Planet Hunters - Trinity College Dublin On Monday, June 8, David Grennan and David Mc Donald, Ireland's leading asteroid hunters, and long-standing members of Astronomy Ireland, will deliver the first of our June lectures in Trinity College Dublin. At this remarkable lecture, David Mc Donald will document the events which led to him become the first Irish man, in over 160 years, to discover an asteroid - Ireland's second ever asteroid discovery. Then David Grennan will discuss his first asteroid discovery which came in close succession to that of David Mc Donald's, just two weeks later. Join the two Davids and find out how you too can become a planet hunter. Hanny's Voorwerp - Trinity College, Dublin On Monday, June 15 Hanny Van Arkel will treat lecture goers to the story of her amazing discovery in space. Hanny, a school teacher, joined an online project known as 'Galaxy Zoo' after its launch in July 2007. Galaxy Zoo allows members of the public to log in and help classify galaxies by answering a few simple questions. Shortly after this, Hanny came across an image of a galaxy that also had an unusual 'blob' placed next to it. The 'Voorwerp' as it is known in Dutch (which simply means 'object'), caused a storm of interest among members and scientists, gaining a lot of media coverage along the way. Currently, Hanny's Voorwerp is thought to be an ancient "light echo", and at the lecture on June 15, Hanny will give us an insight into the 'blob', the theories behind its existence, and how citizen science plays an important part in developing our understanding of the universe. Hanny's Voorwerp - Letterkenny IT, Donegal Hanny Van Arkel will also deliver this exciting lecture in Letterkenny IT, Donegal, on Wednesday June 17. For more information about these exciting lectures visit www.astronomy.ie. Tickets are 7euro (non-members) or 5euro (members and concessions). A DVD of each lecture will be available for purchase for everyone all over Ireland at a cost of 7euro (plus 5euro p&p). To book your tickets click HERE To order a DVD click HERE 2. What to See in Irish Skies There are several special events in Irish skies for the next few days: a.. Venus and Mars are close to the Moon on Thursday morning (May 21), low in East. View between 4:30am-5:00am. b.. Jupiter (with Neptune nearby, closest May 26) is 45 degrees to upper right of Venus i.e. low in Southeast before dawn. c.. Saturn is well placed for evening viewing high in the South. d.. Its moons are putting on spectacular once-in-15-year displays right now. See magazine Sky Diary for times to watch! e.. New Moon on Sunday May 24. For diagrams and lots more details all month long, see Sky Diary pages of our magazine (only 5euro inc. p&p). IMPORTANT: Email what you see to observe(a)astronomy.ie for our monthly magazine report. 3. ISS Crosses Saturn The International Space Station (ISS), visible in Irish skies until May 24, will transit Saturn from Castlebar to Dublin, and all points in between tonight, May 19. To see the path ISS will follow, there is a zoom-equipped map available HERE. We have received many ISS sightings so far, to send us a report of your sighting, email observe(a)astronomy.ie. For more information about ISS go to www.astronomy.ie/iss. Various websites give predictions, but if you want the exact time sent to your mobile phone every day, a couple of hours before ISS passes over, just text SPACE to 57003. Each text costs 1euro and proceeds help us to promote astronomy. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club AND Ireland's Only Astronomy Magazine www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Venetia Phair, News Editor A&S, What to see, ISS, Atlantis and Hubble
by AI Secretary 15 May '09

15 May '09

1. Venetia Phair 1918 - 2009 Venetia Phair, the woman who is credited with giving the planet Pluto its name has died at the age of 90. Anyone who attended Astronomy Ireland's National Meeting on April 25 will be familiar with Venetia as the subject of the short documentary film premiered that day, called 'Naming Pluto'. She was 11 years old when the "trans-Neptunian presence" was photographed on March 14, 1930 and she suggested to her grandfather that the planet should be named Pluto, after the Roman god of the underworld. Venetia passed away on April 30, 2009. She is survived by her son Patrick, and there will be a memorial service in her honour in Banstead, Surrey on June 8. 2. Replacement News Editor 'Astronomy & Space' Magazine We are seeking a News Editor for our magazine, 'Astronomy & Space'. Alistair Bingham has decided to stand down after three very successful years and we thank him for his contribution to the magazine and wish him the best for the future. If you are interested in this role and feel you can contribute to the team dedicated to bringing our readers the latest and best in astronomy, please email editor(a)astronomy.ie. We are also seeking more Feature Writers and Proof Readers. Indeed, let us know if there is any aspect of the magazine you want to assist with by emailing editor(a)astronomy.ie. 3. What to See in Irish Skies There are several special events in Irish skies for the next few days: a.. Saturn is well placed for evening viewing high in the South. b.. Its moons are putting on spectacular once-in-15-year displays right now. See magazine Sky Diary for table of times to watch! c.. Moon is at Last Quarter on Sunday. d.. Jupiter (with Neptune nearby, closest May 26) is in morning skies and close to Moon on Sunday! e.. Venus and Mars are close but low in morning skies (Moon near them May 21). Email what you see observe(a)astronomy.ie for our monthly magazine report. For diagrams and lots more details all month long, see Sky Diary pages of our magazine (only 5euro inc. p&p). 4. ISS Visible until May 24 ISS has been visible in Irish skies since Monday May 11, and we have been getting ecstatic responses from people all over the country who have seen this spectacular sight. ISS will continue to pass over until May 24 and we urge you to report your sighting to iss(a)astronomy.ie. For more information about ISS, and details how to find out the times of ISS passings go to www.astronomy.ie/iss. Various websites give predictions, but if you want the exact time sent to your mobile phone every day, a couple of hours before ISS passes over, just text SPACE to 57003. Each text costs 1euro and proceeds help us to promote astronomy, so please tell all your friends. 5. Space Shuttle Atlantis on Hubble Mission The NASA space shuttle Atlantis blasted off on Monday, May 11, and is now well into the 4th day of its mission to service and improve the Hubble Space Telescope. The second of five space walks is currently taking place, and all the space walks can be viewed live on NASA TV at www.nasa.gov/ntv. To view an amazing picture of the space shuttle Atlantis during solar transit, click HERE. A full report of the service mission will appear in our magazine. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club AND Ireland's Only Astronomy Magazine www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Spectacular Sight in Irish Night Sky
by AI Marketing 12 May '09

12 May '09

Clear Day International Space Station (ISS) Spectacular Sight in the Irish Night Sky May 11th to May 24th To receive daily predictions of ISS Text SPACE to 57003 Each text costs €1 and only one text will be sent per day Alternatively, call 1550 - 111- 442 every day after 12noon, for the time to watch that night! (calls cost 95c/min) www.astronomy.ie

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[Astronomy Ireland] Lecture Reception, Cork School Lectures, ISS Visible
by AI Secretary 11 May '09

11 May '09

1. Reception For NASA Scientist Tonight To mark our NASA scientist, Dr. Heijenga, giving his lecture tonight we are inviting all of you to join us afterwards in The Lombard (corner of Pearse St. and Westland Row) at 9:30pm. As an added bonus, the ISS will fly over and we hope to watch it with Dr. Heijenga. Join us for a night to remember! For more details of the lecture click HERE. To book your tickets for this lecture click HERE, or just come along and pay at the door. Tickets are 5euro (members) or 7euro (non-members, who are very welcome). To order the DVD of this lecture click HERE 2. Cork Schools - Lectures this week As you know, Astronomy Ireland recently launched a Schools' Lecture Programme. On Wed (May 13) this week, our Education Officer Kevin Sweeney will be visiting schools in Cork City, and we have a vacant spot for a school on Wednesday afternoon. If you are interested in having Kevin visit your school in Cork City next Wednesday, or if you know of anyone who may be interested, please call Ciara or Joseph on (01) 847 0777 or email sec(a)astronomy.ie. 3. ISS Returns The International Space Station (ISS) is visible again in Irish skies from tonight, May 11 until May 24. The ISS is a sight to behold in our evening skies, appearing overhead as an extremely bright, star-like object. Visible to the naked eye, it sometimes appears up to 100 times brighter than even the brightest stars in the sky. The most expensive object ever built by mankind, this is a sight not to be missed. To receive daily predictions of the times ISS will pass over on your mobile phone, text SPACE to 57003 (reply STOP to unsubscribe). Each text received costs 1euro, and only one message will be sent per day. Proceeds help us to promote interest in astronomy. Alternatively, call 1550-111-442 every day after 12 noon for the time to watch that night (calls cost 95c/min). Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club AND Ireland's Only Astronomy Magazine www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Irish NASA Scientist visits, School Lectures, Viewing Tips
by AI Secretary 07 May '09

07 May '09

1. Irish Man Puts Down Roots in Space It's not often that we are lucky enough to get a visit from a NASA scientist however, this Monday, May 11 we have the good fortune of meeting not only a NASA scientist, but one who is Irish by birth. Dr. Anthony Heijenga will deliver Astronomy Ireland's Summer Public Lecture, discussing his ground breaking research in space involving the Irish Shamrock plant. The Shamrock is a key element in Dr. Heijenga's research which will pave the way for long-term residency in outer space. Dr. Heijenga's ability to grow the Irish Shamrock in space will have an enormous impact on the success of such long term human presence, which will require sustainable plant growth and the generation of clean, breathable air. Dr. Heijenga has conducted experiments on satellites, space shuttles, MIR and the ISS and in May 1996 the first specimens of the Irish Shamrock plant were grown in space. Dr. Heijenga and his experiments are a credit to international space research, and also make a notable contribution to Irish scientific research. This exciting lecture takes place at 8pm this Monday, May 11 in the Physics Building, Trinity College Dublin, more details available HERE. Tickets are 7euro (non-members) or 5euro (members and concessions). A DVD of the lecture will be available for purchase for everyone all over Ireland at a cost of 7euro (plus 5euro p&p). To book your tickets for this lecture click HERE To order the DVD of this lecture click HERE Social Meeting & ISS Viewing There will be a social session with Dr. Heijenga immediately after the lecture in The Lombard, Pearse St., from where we will hopefully see the ISS pass over at about 10:50pm. Please join us there. 2. Education and Outreach Programme There has been an excellent response to our recently launched Schools' Lecture Programme. If you are a parent, teacher or pupil and would like a visit to your school please click www.astronomy.ie/outreach, call Ciara or Joseph on (01) 847 0777 or email sec(a)astronomy.ie. 3. Viewing Tips There are several special events in Irish skies in the next few days: a.. Saturn is well placed for evening viewing high in the South. It's moons are putting on spectacular once-in-15-year displays right now. b.. There is a Full Moon on Saturday c.. Antares is just 2 degrees to upper right of Moon on Sunday night. d.. Jupiter is in morning skies, closing in on Neptune - closest on May 17! e.. Venus and Mars are close but low in morning skies. Email what you see to observe(a)astronomy.ie and we'll put you in our monthly magazine report. See Sky Diary pages of our magazine (only 5euro inc. p&p) for diagrams and lots more details all month long! Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club AND Ireland's Only Astronomy Magazine www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Shamrocks in Space, Twitter
by AI Secretary 05 May '09

05 May '09

1. "Shamrocks in Space" - Major Public Lecture by NASA Scientist Ireland's national emblem, the Shamrock, is a key element in developing research which will pave the way for future generations, to live and breath in outer space. In May 1996, the first specimens of the Irish Shamrock plant were grown in space - a project that will have an enormous impact on the success of future space exploration. On Monday, May 11, Dr. Anthony Heijenga will discuss the significance of this little plant, its application in Human life support in space and the implications for Human life on Earth, at Astronomy Ireland's Summer Public Lecture. Dr. Heijenga, a NASA Scientist, will explain how the Irish Shamrock is helping him to assist in the provision of breathable air and a renewable food supply in outer space. Long-term human presence in space, on the Moon or Mars for example, will require sustainable plant growth, which provides food and breathable air and Dr. Heijenga's ability to grow plants such as Shamrock in space will have an enormous impact on the success of such long-term residency in space. Dr. Heijenga's projects have flown on satellites, space shuttles, MIR and the ISS, and he will discuss these exciting endeavours at the lecture. David Moore, Chairman of Astronomy Ireland, said "It is absolutely amazing that the humble shamrock - a symbol of Ireland - plays such an important role in providing life support and food for future astronauts". The lecture will take place at 8pm next Monday May 11, details are available HERE. Tickets are 7euro (non-members) or 5euro (members and concessions). A DVD of the lecture will be available for purchase for everyone all over Ireland at a cost of 7euro (plus 5euro p&p). To book your tickets for this lecture click HERE To order the DVD of this lecture click HERE 2. Astronomy Ireland Needs You To Twitter For Us Astronomy Ireland need a dedicated Tweeter to Twitter on our behalf. If you would like to Twitter for us, you may find yourself following the Tweets of amateur astronomers, scientists (or Scientwists as they are known to the Twitter community), astronauts or even NASA. If you are an avid follower of online social networks, and would like to Tweet for Astronomy Ireland, simply email joseph(a)astronomy.ie or call Joseph on (01) 847 0777. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club AND Ireland's Only Astronomy Magazine www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )

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