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

[Astronomy Ireland] Star-B-Q Offer Extended, Mars Meteorite, What to See
by AI Secretary 31 Jul '09

31 Jul '09

Join Magazine Events DVDs Shop Star-B-Q "Mad About Meteorites" 1. Star-B-Q Offer Extended to August 7th! Our website is being upgraded unexpectedly at the same time as the special offer ends. Maintenance may continue over the weekend also. Our apologies for this. Please keep trying our website, but just to be sure Astronomy Ireland is extending its Star-B-Q offer one extra week until midnight, Friday night, August 7th! If you book by August 7th, you will get ?10 off adult tickets for the event. The Star-B-Q will be a fun-filled night of astronomy, delicious food, fire dancers, music, talks, and much more! Book your tickets now at www.astronomy.ie/sbq or by calling (01) 847 0777. Please forward this email to everyone you know so they may avail of this offer and see the wonders of the universe at our flagship event. 2. Mars Meteorite Lands in Ireland for Public Lecture "Mad About Meteorites" An extremely rare specimen will make a star appearance at our August Public Lecture - a piece of the planet Mars! Specially purchased by the National Museum of Ireland for its new meteorite display, the small specimen worth ?25,000 (more than its weight in gold!) will be under tight security. Dr Matthew Parkes will talk about how meteorites can give us the opportunity to investigate the origins of the Solar System and how it was formed. He will explain how particularly unusual meteorites arrive on Earth, and will show guests one such meteorite - a Mars meteorite! Finally, Dr Parkes will describe the consequences to Earth and humanity should a very large object strike our home planet. The lecture will take place in Trinity College Dublin (Fitzgerald Building) on August 10th at 8pm and will be available on DVD for everyone in Ireland. Book seats here. Order DVD here. 3. What To See a.. Jupiter and its impact scar are visible in the southeast from about 10pm. For times to see the scar, please click here! b.. Mars and Venus rise in the early morning, and both are perfectly placed in the east at around 3am. Email your observations to observe(a)astronomy.ie for our monthly magazine report. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Star-B-Q and Membership, Endeavour, Radio Interviews, Photocopier
by AI Secretary 29 Jul '09

29 Jul '09

Join Magazine Events DVDs Shop Star-B-Q "Mad about Meteorites" Note: We are having some website issues due to technical upgrades. If you are having trouble getting to our website, please keep trying, as we hope to have it fully working again within 24 hours. 1. Star-B-Q and Membership Offer: Only 3 Days to Go! Astronomy Ireland's Star-B-Q is taking place in Roundwood, Co. Wicklow, on Saturday, August 22nd. It promises to be our biggest ever with an exciting night of food, telescopes, entertainment and craic! If you book before close of business on Friday, July 31st, you can get ?10 off each adult tickets. LORD ROSSE (1800-1876) We can now announce that the headline speaker at this year's Star-B-Q is the Third Earl of Rosse who died in 1867! He has been revived, and in full Victorian dress he will come and tell us how he built the biggest telescope in the world in Ireland in 1845; the Hubble Telescope of its day! Not only that, but if you join Astronomy Ireland this month, you will get three months extra free membership to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the first Apollo Moon Landing! Book your Star-B-Q tickets here. Join Astronomy Ireland for 15 months here. You can also call us to book tickets or to join on (01) 847 0777. 2. Space Shuttle Endeavour Returning Home Endeavour - which was recently seen just after launch in Irish skies - has separated from the International Space Station to begin its return home. This mission (STS-127) installed the final components of the Japanese module Kibo on the ISS. One of the components is a platform that allows experiments to be directly exposed to space! Endeavour is due to land on Friday, and can be watched online on NASA TV at www.nasa.gov/ntv. 3. Dan Parry, David Moore and Bart Sibrel on Radio Chairman of Astronomy Ireland, David Moore, engaged in a heated and entertaining radio debate with Bart Sibrel, the man who Buzz Aldrin famously punched after being accused of never landing on the Moon! Dan Parry, author and producer of Moonshot, and our guest speaker for our special Apollo Anniversary July lecture featured on Pat Kenny. You can listen to both radio interviews (and, indeed, many more) by visiting the Astronomy Ireland media archive. You can order a DVD of Dan Parry's amazing lecture by clicking here. Quick links: click to listen - David Moore vs Bart Sibrel (Moon hoax movie producer) - Pat Kenny and Dan Parry (Author and producer of Moonshot) 4. Photocopier Following our appeal last week nobody came to our rescue! But if you have a working photocopier that you don't need, or if your company is getting rid of one, Astronomy Ireland would be more than happy to accept it as a donation. Please email sec(a)astronomy.ie if you would like to help out! Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Moonshot DVD and Book, Photocopier, 3 Months Free, Observing
by AI Secretary 24 Jul '09

24 Jul '09

Join Magazine Events DVDs Shop Star-B-Q "Mad about Meteorites" 1. Moonshot a success! Dan Parry's lecture, "Moonshot", was a resounding success with almost 300 people filling the MacNeill Theatre in TCD to capacity. Parry received a rapturous applause after his book signing and talk which gave the inside story of Apollo 11. The 40th anniversary of the landing was celebrated in the Lombard with a delicious Moon Cake and lots of craic! A detailed report and pictures of the event are on our website HERE. You can also order a DVD of this brilliant lecture, or a copy of Dan's book as a souvenir of the 40th Anniversary of the first manned landing on the Moon. Hear Dan talk to Pat Kenny and on Today FM's 'The Last Word' at www.astronomy.ie/audio. ORDER DVD HERE ORDER BOOK HERE 2. Photocopier Astronomy Ireland are seeking a donation of a photocopier, new or used, for our office. Please email sec(a)astronomy.ie or call us on (01) 847 0777. We greatly appreciate any donations. 3. Apollo 40th Special Offer - 3 Months FREE As part of the celebrations for the 40th Anniversary of the first Moon landing, Astronomy Ireland are giving you the opportunity to become a member and receive 15 months membership for the price of 12. Membership costs just 48euro and includes a subscription to our monthly magazine 'Astronomy & Space'. Join today and receive your copy of the Apollo 40th Anniversary issue of 'Astronomy & Space'. For more information on this offer visit www.astronomy.ie or click HERE. 4. What to See in Irish skies a.. Jupiter, recently hit by an asteroid or comet, leaving a massive impact scar near its south pole is visible in the southeast after 11pm each evening, and owners of larger telescopes should be able to make out the black scar. Times to see it and photographs are on our website. b.. After 3am in the mornings, Venus is placed close to the eastern horizon with a red-coloured Mars to its upper-right. All of these planets are visible with the naked eye. c.. Noctilucent clouds are being reported all over the world. They are most common in the summer and at times of solar minimum. Keep an eye on the northern sky around midnight for very high-altitude glowing clouds. For diagrams and lots more details, 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 of Irish observations. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Apollo Speaker on Pat Kenny Show
by AI Secretary 22 Jul '09

22 Jul '09

Dear Friends of Astronomy Ireland, We forgot to tell you that Dan Parry will be Pat Kenny's guest on RTE Radio 1 on Thursday morning (July 23) to promote his book MOONSHOT that was screened worldwide last Monday, including RTE but also in The White House we hear ! If you miss Dan talking to Pat listen in at www.astronomy.ie/audio later that day. Those of you in Dublin I hope to meet at Dan's talk and book signing later that night. Everyone else, I hope you will order the DVD we are making of his talk. And buy his book ! If you've listened to Dan on any of the interviews he has done for us (see link above) you'll know he has a huge knowledge of Apollo and knows the moonwalkers personally. I must say it's been fantastic to see the media frenzy we've had for the Apollo 40th anniversary and the ISS+Shuttle flying over. We've never seen anything like it before. We hope to keep this level of activity going for the rest of International Year of Astronomy, and beyond ! Haven't we been bringing in a marvellous array of speakers from abroad so far this year? I hope you will support and come to the Apollo Lecture or watch it on DVD. -David Moore Chairman, ASTRONOMY IRELAND - the world's most popular astronomy society P.S. And a big thank you to The Lombard who have been providing us with food for our social reception after each A.I. Meeting this year. It's great to meet you all afterwards and chat with our speakers. See you there! Book seats HERE Order DVD HERE Order Book HERE Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat

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[Astronomy Ireland] Apollo Lecture, Jupiter Impact, ISS, Events
by AI Secretary 21 Jul '09

21 Jul '09

Join Magazine Events DVDs Shop Star-B-Q "Moonshot" 1. Ireland goes mad for Apollo 40th Celebration Last night RTE One screened the Irish premiere of the docudrama 'Moonshot' along with TV stations across the planet. Dan Parry, author of 'Moonshot', who will be in Ireland on Thursday, July 23 for Ireland's main celebration of the Apollo Moon landing, sat on a panel of experts with Astronomy Ireland Chairman, David Moore, on Talking History on Newstalk 106-108 last Sunday, July 19. David also did dozens of interviews on national radio with Leo Enright, Tony Fenton and Tom McGurk, as well as countless local radio stations. To listen to some of these radio features visit www.astronomy.ie/audio. We are extremely lucky to have Dan Parry visit Ireland so soon after the international success of his docudrama 'Moonshot', so if you want to celebrate the Moon landings, then come to our book signing (7pm) and public lecture (8pm) this Thursday, July 23. If you are not able to come why not order a DVD and a BOOK? There will be a social reception in The Lombard afterwards where you can meet Dan in person, and have a slice of moon cake! Please note due to demand, the venue has been changed to the Hamilton Building (TCD) next to the DART and with lots of parking nearby. More information HERE. Book seats HERE. Order DVD HERE. Order Book HERE. 2. Impact scar on Jupiter JPL at NASA have confirmed that a large black mark which was spotted by Australian astronomer, Anthony Wesley, is an impact scar and not a weather disturbance. The large black spot is similar to those left when comet Shoemaker-Levy broke up and impacted the planet, and comes exactly 15 years later. For more details, times to see Jupiter in the sky, and to see an image of the scar click HERE. Remember, email your observations to observe(a)astronomy.ie and we will try to include it in the magazine. JUPITER WATCH at STAR-B-Q Jupiter will be the main attraction at our annual Star-B-Q on Saturday, August 22. Don't forget to book your tickets before July 31 to receive a 10euro discount on adult rates. 3. ISS The International Space Station (ISS) with the space shuttle Endeavour docked with it, is still visible in the Irish sky until July 23. We have had phenomenal interest in this record breaking mission. See our ISS webpage at www.astronomy.ie/iss. Please email observe(a)astronomy.ie every time you see ISS. 4. Events July 23 - Apollo 40th Anniversary Lecture and DVD and book signing for ITV docu-drama. Aug 10 - Mad about Meteorites by Dr. Matthew Parkes of the National Museum of Ireland. Aug 22 - Star-B-Q special offer for this 'Friends of A.I.' list only until July 31! Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Apollo 40th Events
by AI Secretary 17 Jul '09

17 Jul '09

Apollo 40th Anniversary - Upcoming Events Sunday - July 19 - 2:30pm Special presentation in the National Museum, Collins Barracks by Leo Enright at 2:30pm called 'Shake, Rattle and Roll: What it really felt like to watch men leave for the Moon'. The Museum is running Moon Week from July 19 to 25. For more information visit www.museum.ie. Sunday - July 19 - 7:00pm Astronomy Ireland Chairman, David Moore, will feature on a high profile panel of experts including Dan Parry (producer and author of 'Moonshot'), Prof. Dennis O' Sullivan (DIAS) and Prof. Lorraine Hanlon (Head of School of Physics, UCD) on Talking History on Newstalk 106-108 FM this Sunday, July 19, from 7:00 - 8:00pm. Monday Night - July 20 - 10:50pm The world premiere of Dan Parry's docudrama 'Moonshot' will be aired on Monday, July 20, at 10:30pm on RTE One TV, and at 10:50pm on ITV. 'Moonshot' tells the true story of our most compelling adventure, and gives viewers an insight into the real life stories of some of the key players in the Apollo mission. Thursday - July 23 - 11:00am To promote his lecture later that night, Dan Parry ('Moonshot') will be interviewed by Pat Kenny on RTE Radio One. www.astronomy.ie/audio. Thursday - July 23 - 7:00pm Astronomy Ireland book signing and Public Lecture by Dan Parry, author and producer of 'Moonshot'. Dan travels to Dublin especially to talk about the Apollo Moon landings and sign copies of his book, which will be available for purchase on the night. For more information and to book tickets click HERE. If you can't make it to Dublin order a DVD / BOOK. There will be a social reception in The Lombard afterwards, with Moon Cake! Media Interest There will be a special article about the Apollo 40th Anniversary in The Examiner this Saturday, July 18, and Monday, July 20, featuring an interview with Astronomy Ireland Chairman, David Moore. He is also booked on for several interviews on radio stations across the country, to hear these go to www.astronomy.ie/audio now, and after July 20. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Apollo Lecture / DVD / Book, NASA Videos, Shuttle Seen, Apollo on Radio, Events
by AI Secretary 16 Jul '09

16 Jul '09

Join Magazine Events DVDs Shop Star-B-Q "Dark Matter" "Moonshot" 1. Apollo 40th Anniversary Astronomy Ireland are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landings next Thursday, July 23, with former BBC journalist, Dan Parry. He will travel to Dublin especially to talk about this historic event, his ITV series 'Moonshot', and book of the same name. Marking the 40th anniversary of the first manned Moon Landing, Dan will speak of the rare access he has had to leading names in the world famous Apollo missions, including Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and many more. Parry's new book 'Moonshot' gives readers the true story of our most compelling feat of putting men on the Moon, an event which has captured the minds of millions since 1969. This is a celebration not to be missed, so to get an idea of what it really felt like to be sent to the Moon and to hear some of the real life stories of some of the key players in the Apollo mission, come to this event next Thursday, July 23. There will be a book signing at 7:00pm, with books available to purchase on the night. Lecture begins at 8:00pm sharp. For more information click HERE. Dan Parry's docudrama 'Moonshot' will be aired on Monday, July 20, at 10:30pm on RTE One, and at 10:50pm on ITV. Book seats HERE. Order DVD HERE. Order Book HERE. 2. NASA Apollo 40th News Today (July 16) Leo Enright has arranged a simultaneous live event take place in the Science Gallery (TCD) and Blackrock Castle Observatory (Cork) showing the launch of Apollo 11 on big screens at 3:32pm - the exact moment when it happened 40 years ago. There will also be a high definition tape of last night's launch of Endeavour, and at 4:00pm, people will have a chance to see the newly restored video imagery of the Apollo 11 moonwalk from 1969 in a live link up with the Newseum on Washington DC for the press conference, announcing the restored imagery. NASA will provide a unique audio "time capsule" in honour of the 40th anniversary of the Moon landing with audio from the entire Apollo 11 mission being replayed and streamed on the internet at the exact time and date it was broadcast in 1969. The audio begins on Thursday, July 16 and continues until the mission ends on Friday, July 24. To listen click HERE. NASA will hold a news briefing with astronauts from the Apollo programme on Monday, July 20 at 2:30pm BST. The conference, featuring James Lovell (Apollo 8 and 13), Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11) and many more, will take place in the James Webb Auditorium at NASA Headquarters in Washington and will stream live on NASA Television (see www.nasa.gov/ntv) 3. Endeavour seen over Ireland Hundreds of you emailed us to report your sighting of Endeavour and its huge fuel tank as they crossed Irish skies at 11:20pm last night, July 15. Endeavour launched from Florida for the mission STS-127 to the International Space Station (ISS), however Irish people were the only ones lucky enough to see the orbiter fly off into space while the orange external fuel tank fell back to Earth. If you saw this extremely rare and amazing sight and have not yet reported it, please send your sighting to observe(a)astronomy.ie. For more information and to read others reports and sightings click HERE. Over the next night or two there will be a rare "space chase" where the Shuttle Endeavour will venture closer and closer to ISS, and eventually dock with it. For more times and details of the space chase, there are predictions on the internet, however if you would like to receive a reminder to your phone just a couple of hours before it passes, text the word SPACE to 57003. Each text costs ?1 and proceeds help us to promote science and astronomy in Ireland. Please email observe(a)astronomy.ie EVERY TIME you see ISS or the Shuttle for our records for posterity. MEDIA FRENZY: To hear Astronomy Ireland Chairman, David Moore, speaking about the shuttle launch in several radio interviews, go to www.astronomy.ie/audio. 4. Apollo on National Radio David will also feature on a high profile panel of experts including Dan Parry (our speak next Thursday, July 23), Prof. Dennis O' Sullivan (DIAS) and Prof. Lorraine Hanlon (Head of School of Physics, UCD) on Talking History on Newstalk 106-108 this Sunday, July 19, from 7:00 - 8:00pm. 5. Events to book July 13 to 17 - 'Life of Galileo' Play by Dublin Lyric Players and Astronomy Ireland. July 23 - Apollo 40th Anniversary Lecture and DVD and book signing for ITV docu-drama. Aug 22 - Star-B-Q special offer for this 'Friends of A.I.' list only until July 31! Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Shuttle, Apollo, Lyons, Events
by AI Secretary 14 Jul '09

14 Jul '09

Join Magazine Events DVDs Shop Star-B-Q "Moonshot" 1. Endeavour Delayed for the 5th time The launch of space shuttle Endeavour on the STS-127 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) has been delayed again due to poor weather conditions, with anvil clouds and storm cells visible within the launch area at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida last night (July 13). Lift off has been rescheduled for Wednesday July 15 at 11:03pm BST. Once launched, the shuttle will be visible over Ireland 18 minutes later, along with the fuel tank which detaches shortly after launch (when the fuel runs out). This amazing and very rare sight will only be visible from Ireland and has not been since May 2008 when the space shuttle Discovery passed over Ireland shortly after launch. To see a video of this, and what to expect after launch on July 15 click HERE. Don't forget following the launch on July 15, there will be a space chase in the following 2 - 3 days, as the shuttle approaches the International Space Station. ISS is visible every night until July 23. For times of ISS and the space chase, there are predictions on the internet, however if you would like to receive a reminder to your phone just a couple of hours before it passes, text the word SPACE to 57003. Each text costs ?1 and proceeds help us to promote science and astronomy in Ireland. Remember, If you see any of these extremely rare sights please email observe(a)astronomy.ie to be included in our magazine. Listen to Astronomy Ireland Chairman, David Moore, speak about the shuttle on several radio shows on www.astronomy.ie/audio. 2. Apollo landings - Commemorative Website In celebration of the Apollo Moon landings, a new website has been launched today, July 14, in association with the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. The website, which is full of facts and information, recreates the lunar mission as it happened back in July, 1969, using a mission tracker to show the various stages of the quest. Currently the mission is at prelaunch stage, with a countdown to the launch. www.wechoosethemoon.org. Don't forget to book your DVD or seat at our own celebration on July 23, HERE. 3. Lyons Extraordinary Charity Giveaway Did you know that Lyons tea give away a total of 120,000euro to 12 different winner's favourite charities each year? This year, why not make Astronomy Ireland one of them? You can help us promote astronomy and science in Ireland by entering Astronomy Ireland into the Lyons Extraordinary Charity Giveaway. By entering, and quoting Astronomy Ireland as your favourite charity, you are giving us the opportunity to win 10,000euro. For more information on the competition, and how to enter visit www.lyonscharitygiveaway.ie. To enter online click HERE. Please support us. 4. Events to book July 13 to 17 - 'Life of Galileo' Play by Dublin Lyric Players and Astronomy Ireland. July 23 - Apollo 40th Anniversary Lecture and DVD and book signing for ITV docu-drama. Aug 22 - Star-B-Q special offer for this 'Friends of A.I.' list only until July 31! Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Special Shuttle Sighting, Dark Matter Venue Changed, Events
by AI Secretary 09 Jul '09

09 Jul '09

Join Magazine Events DVDs Shop Star-B-Q "Dark Matter" "Moonshot" 1. Shuttle and Fuel Tank Extravaganza There is a very special sight in Irish skies over the coming days. The space shuttle Endeavour, due to launch on Saturday night (technically Sunday morning) at 12:39am our time, will be visible over Ireland approximately 18 mins after launch. Beneath it in the sky will be the fuel tank which detaches shortly after launch (when the fuel runs out) and falls back to Earth. The fuel tank should look orange in comparison to the shuttle. On this rare occasion, only from Ireland will it be possible to see the orbiter flying into space, and the fuel tank returning to Earth at the same time. This same spectacle was visible in May 2008 when the space shuttle Discovery passed over Ireland shortly after launch. To see a video of this, and what to expect on Saturday night click HERE. As if this isn't exciting enough, following the launch on July 12, there will be a space chase in the following 2 - 3 days, as the shuttle approaches the International Space Station (ISS). ISS is visible every night until July 23, passing over at 10:52pm on Thursday, July 9 and at 11:16pm on Friday, July 10. For more times and details of the space chase, there are predications on the internet, however if you would like to receive a reminder to your phone just a couple of hours before it passes, text the word SPACE to 57003. Each text costs ?1 and proceeds help us to promote science and astronomy in Ireland. If you see any of these rare sights please email observe(a)astronomy.ie. 2. 'Dark Matter' Lecture (and DVD) moved to larger venue! Due to the large number of bookings we have received for our Summer Public Lecture on July 13 - 'Dark Matter' by Prof. Gerry Gilmore - we have had to move to a larger venue in the Hamilton Building (TCD) to accommodate the growing audience. Gerry was Patrick Moore's special guest on last month's edition of BBC's Sky at Night, and his lecture promises to astonish and amaze guests. There will be a social reception in The Lombard (corner of Pearse St. and Westland Row) at 9:30pm following the lecture. We invite you all to join us for a chat and complimentary food. EVERYONE IN IRELAND: please order the DVD of this lecture if you cannot get to Dublin - Click HERE. 3. Events to book in July July 13 - 'Dark Matter' Lecture and DVD July 13 to 17 - 'Life of Galileo' Play by Dublin Lyric Players and Astronomy Ireland. July 23 - Apollo 40th Anniversary Lecture and DVD and book signing for ITV docu-drama. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Major Public Lecture, Sky at Night Special, Naming Pluto, Space Chase, Events
by AI Secretary 07 Jul '09

07 Jul '09

Join Magazine Events DVDs Shop Star-B-Q "Dark Matter" "Moonshot" 1. Dark Matter - Major Public Lecture On Monday, July 13, Professor Gerry Gilmore of Cambridge University, will explore Dark Matter, the God particle and the implications for Cosmology in Astronomy Ireland's next Major Public Lecture. Prof. Gilmore will speak about the dark matter which provides the gravity holding galaxies together and formed the building blocks of the universe. Drawing on research from the Large Hadron Collider at CERN (featured prominently in the movie 'Angels and Demons' where scientists search for the elusive 'God Particle') Gerry will explain how astronomy is the ultimate way to discover how Nature works on the grandest of scales. If you ever wanted to know how the universe works, then this Public Lecture is not to be missed! The event takes place at 8pm in the Fitzgerald Building, Trinity College Dublin. For more information click HERE. Book seats HERE. Order DVD HERE. After the Lecture, we invite all of you to join us in The Lombard (corner of Pearse St. and Westland Row) at 9:30pm for a social reception where complimentary food will be kindly provided by The Lombard, and we will have an opportunity to socialise with Prof. Gilmore and one another. 2. Sky at Night - Apollo Specials Professor Gerry Gilmore was the special guest on June's edition of the BBC's Sky at Night. There are two special episodes of the programme over the coming days, dedicated to the 40th anniversary of the lunar Apollo missions. On 7 July at 7:30pm (BBC Four) - 'Last Man on the Moon' - Dr. Chris Lintott goes to the Johnson Space Centre to talk to the Commander of Apollo 17. On 11 July at 12:00pm (BBC Two) - 'The Apollo Miracle' - Patrick Moore and guests discuss the achievements of the Apollo programme. For more information about both of these shows click HERE. You can also see Top Gear's James May in 'James May on the Moon' on July 8 at 01:05am (BBC One). For more details on this commemorative show click HERE. 3. 'Naming Pluto' wins at Palm Springs Film Festival 'Naming Pluto' the short documentary film premiered at the Astronomy Ireland National Meeting on April 25, has won Best Documentary 2nd Place at the Palm Springs Short Film Festival. The film, directed by Ginita Jiminez scooped Best Documentary Short at the festival where 315 films featured, representing 41 countries worldwide. Palm Springs Short Film Festival, in it's 15th year, is one of the largest festivals of it's kind. More details of the award can be found HERE. 4. Shuttle to chase ISS The space shuttle Endeavour and a crew of 7 astronauts are set to launch this Saturday, July 11, and if so will chase the International Space Station (ISS) across Irish skies on Saturday night. You can get predications on the internet for this exciting space chase, however if you would like to receive a reminder to your phone with the times it will pass over, just a couple of hours before it passes, text the word SPACE to 57003. Each text costs ?1 and proceeds help us to promote science and astronomy in Ireland. 5. Events to book in July: July 13 - 'Dark Matter' Lecture and DVD July 13 to 17 - 'Life of Galileo' Play by Dublin Lyric Players and Astronomy Ireland. July 23 - Apollo 40th Anniversary Lecture and DVD and book signing for ITV docu-drama. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )

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