December 2010 - astronomy@lists.redbrick.dcu.ie

[Astronomy Ireland] Sale, TV Show, Santa, Offer Ends, 2 Eclipses, Opening Hours
by AI Secretary 23 Dec '10

23 Dec '10

20 Months Membership Offer <http://www.astronomy.ie/20anniversary.php> Christmas Gifts <http://astronomy.ie/gift/> DVDs <http://www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.php> Shop <http://astronomy.ie/shop/> 1. New Year Sale!!! Astronomy Ireland's Shop MASSIVE NEW YEAR SALE will be kicking off on the December 28th - tell all your friends! Reductions across ALL ranges and special Accessories Promotions will be available both online and in store. Check www.astronomy.ie/shop for more details or call our expert staff on (01) 847 0777. 2. T.V. Show Astronomy Ireland's David Moore <http://astronomy.ie/dmbio.html> appeared on our fortnightly show on TV3's The Morning Show on Thursday, December 23. If you missed it watch online HERE <http://astronomy.ie/mediaarchive.php> . David's next appearance is on Thursday, January 6th and every 2nd Thursday thereafter! 3. Christmas Star and Santa Astronomy Ireland's David Moore <http://astronomy.ie/dmbio.html> will appear on Morning Ireland tomorrow to speak about the Search for Santa! Hear him talk on radio today (Dec. 23) about the legend of the Christmas Star at www.astronomy.ie/audio 4. 20th Anniversary Offer Ends on December 31st As 2010 is Astronomy Ireland's 20 <http://www.astronomy.ie/20anniversary.php> th Anniversary, all year we have been running a membership offer of 20 months for the price of 12 - that's 8 magazines FREE!!! This offer must end on December 31st so if you, or any of your friends have been thinking of subscribing to Astronomy Ireland make sure you do so before Dec. 31st and receive 8 magazines FREE. ORDER HERE <http://astronomy.ie/offer/> 5. Solar Eclipse On January 4th there will be a partial solar eclipse visible from Ireland. For more information on this see our magazine <http://www.astronomy.ie/20anniversary.php> , and also see our webpage HERE <http://www.astronomy.ie/eclipse012011.php> . 6. Lunar Eclipse Photo Report Click HERE <http://astronomy.ie/eclipse122010im.php> to view images of Astronomy Ireland's Solstice Eclipse Watch, which was held in Sean Moore Park on Tuesday, December 21st. 7. Shop Opening Hours Astronomy Ireland Shop will be open tomorrow, Friday December 24th; the shop will be closed for Christmas and will reopen on Tuesday, December 28th. For more information on Astronomy Ireland Shop Christmas hours click HERE. <http://astronomy.ie/shop/> 8. Happy Christmas The team at Astronomy Ireland would like to wish all our friends and members a very Happy Christmas! 9. Events Dec 27 - Jan 13th - ISS Passes <http://www.astronomy.ie/iss> Dec 31 - 20th Anniversary Offer Ends - JOIN HERE <http://www.astronomy.ie/offer> Jan 03 - Quadrantids Meteor Shower, see our January magazine Jan 04 - Solar Eclipse <http://www.astronomy.ie/eclipse012011.php> Jan 06 - TV Show <http://www.astronomy.ie/tv> Jan 10 - New Year Lecture <http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture201012.php> Jan 12 - 15th - BTSYE <http://www.btyoungscientist.ie/> Jan 26 - Jupiter Watch Feb 02 - Evening Classes - ENROL NOW <http://www.astronomy.ie/class/index.php> Astronomy Ireland <http://www.astronomy.ie/> The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie (subscribe/unsubscribe <http://lists.redbrick.dcu.ie/mailman/listinfo/astronomy> )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Solstice Eclipse
by AI Secretary 20 Dec '10

20 Dec '10

20 Months Membership Offer <http://www.astronomy.ie/20anniversary.php> Christmas Gifts <http://astronomy.ie/gift/> DVDs <http://www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.php> Shop <http://astronomy.ie/shop/> Lunar Eclipse and Winter Solstice 2010 Join Astronomy Ireland in Sean Moore Park, Sandymount, to witness the total lunar eclipse and also the Sun rising on the Winter Solstice. The watch will take place at 7.00am, Tuesday, December 21st at the James Joyce Monument in the Park, which is aligned with the rising Sun, echoing the ancient alignment at Newgrange. A total lunar eclipse will not be seen from Ireland for another five years, and this will be the second time a total lunar eclipse has occurred on the Winter Solstice in the last 2,000 years. The full moon will darken as it passes through the Earth's shadow, from 6:32am, and at 7:40am the Moon will have entered totality and will turn red. Click HERE <http://www.astronomy.ie/eclipse122010.php> for more information. So, join Astronomy Ireland in Sean Moore Park on Tuesday, December 21st at 7:00am to witness this amazing tribute to ancient astronomy. For more information click HERE <http://www.astronomy.ie/solstice.html> or call us on (01) 847 0777. Please click HERE <http://maps.google.com/maps?q=53.334888,-6.213562&num=1&t=h&sll=37.0625,-95 .677068&sspn=23.875,57.630033&ie=UTF8&ll=53.334808,-6.213832&spn=0.0008,0.00 1549&z=20> for a map to the park (the meeting point is marked with the green arrow) Astronomy Ireland <http://www.astronomy.ie/> The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie (subscribe/unsubscribe <http://lists.redbrick.dcu.ie/mailman/listinfo/astronomy> )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Christmas Gifts, Solstice Eclipse, Moon Halos
by AI Secretary 16 Dec '10

16 Dec '10

20 Months Membership Offer <http://www.astronomy.ie/20anniversary.php> Christmas Gifts <http://astronomy.ie/gift/> DVDs <http://www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.php> Shop <http://astronomy.ie/shop/> 1. Christmas Gifts There is still time for you to choose any one of our superb gifts for a loved one this Christmas: . Astronomy Ireland Membership <http://astronomy.ie/gift/> . Astronomy Ireland Season Ticket <http://astronomy.ie/gift/> . Astronomy Ireland Evening Classes <http://astronomy.ie/gift/> . Telescopes and Accessories <http://www.astronomy.ie/shop/> For further information or to sign up for any of the above offers click HERE <http://astronomy.ie/gift/> , or call the Astronomy Ireland office on (01) 847 0777. 2. Lunar Eclipse and Winter Solstice 2010 A total lunar eclipse is set to take place on Tuesday, December 21st, just before sunrise on the Winter Solstice. The full moon will gradually turn red as it passes through the Earth's shadow, from 6:32am, and at 7:40am the Moon will have entered totality. Click HERE <http://www.astronomy.ie/eclipse122010.php> for more information. Astronomy Ireland will be meeting in Sean Moore Park, Sandymount, to witness the total lunar eclipse and also the Sun rising The Winter Solstice. The James Joyce Monument in the Park is aligned with the rising Sun, echoing the ancient alignment at Newgrange. Newgrange is one of the oldest observatories in the world, and is even older than the Pyramids in Egypt. The people who built the Boyne Valley monuments based their entire society around astronomy and the path of the Sun through the sky over the year. Newgrange was aligned with the Winter Solstice sunrise, as after this date, days became warmer, symbolising rebirth and new growth of animals and crops. So, join Astronomy Ireland in Sean Moore Park on Tuesday, December 21st at 7:00am to witness this amazing tribute to ancient astronomy. For more information click HERE <http://www.astronomy.ie/solstice.html> or call us on (01) 847 0777. 3. Moon Halos As there will be a Full Moon visible on December 21st, there is a good possibility of visible Moon Halos over the coming week. A Moon Halo is an optical phenomenon, attributed to cold weather that appears as a wide, bright ring around the Moon in the night sky. They are caused by refracted moonlight from ice crystals in the Earth's upper atmosphere. The shape of the ice crystals focuses the refracted light, thus forming it into a ring-like structure around the moon. They are particularly prevalent in and around Full Moons and we encourage all of you to go outside over the next few nights and look for them. Remember to email your reports and pictures to observe(a)astronomy.ie and we will try to include your observation in a forthcoming issue of 'Astronomy <https://astro1.securesites.com/magazine.html> & Space' magazine. Astronomy Ireland <http://www.astronomy.ie/> The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie (subscribe/unsubscribe <http://lists.redbrick.dcu.ie/mailman/listinfo/astronomy> )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Meteor Watch, Gift Ideas, Christmas Telescopes
by AI Secretary 15 Dec '10

15 Dec '10

20 Months Membership Offer Christmas Gifts DVDs Shop 1. Nationwide Meteor Watch Astronomy Ireland has received hundreds of reports from all over Ireland from people who watched the Geminid Meteor Shower over the last few nights. The meteor shower still continues tonight, so we will have another opportunity to watch some celestial fireworks! David Moore appeared on RTE News this week to speak about the Nationwide Meteor Watch. You can watch this clip HERE. To take part in the Nationwide Meteor Watch, simply count the number of meteors you see in 15 minute blocks, and email it to us at meteor(a)astronomy.ie along with your name and location. The results will be analysed over the coming week and the results will be posted on our Friends of Astronomy Ireland list. 2. Gift Ideas This Christmas Astronomy Ireland Membership 2010 marks Astronomy Ireland’s 20th anniversary, and to celebrate this Astronomy Ireland are running a special offer on Membership - 20 months for the price of 12. That's 8 FREE MAGAZINES for a friend or family member when you give them a gift Membership for Christmas. This offer ends December 31, 2010 Astronomy Ireland Season Ticket Why not go one step further and give a gift of Membership of Astronomy Ireland and include a Season Lecture ticket. For only €100 they will not only get ‘Astronomy & Space’ magazine delivered to their door each month, but will get a special ticket for entry to all of our monthly lectures, or a DVD of each of the lectures. As it's our 20th Anniversary, your friend will get 20 MAGAZINES & 20 LECTURES or DVDs. Astronomy Ireland Evening Classes Astronomy Ireland's ever-popular Evening Classes start up again on February 2nd, 2011 at 10 locations nationwide. The topics will give the student a good grounding in the night sky, the Sun, stars and planets, galaxies, telescopes, and much more. The Classes are aimed for the complete beginner, and at only €180 (includes membership to Astronomy Ireland) they're a great gift for a friend who wants to learn more about the wonders of the Universe. For further information or to sign up for any of the above offers click HERE, or call the Astronomy Ireland office on (01) 847 0777. 3. Christmas Telescope Delivery and Special Offers Enjoy a free membership to Astronomy Ireland when you order a telescope this Christmas. We have telescopes to suit every budget and every age and ability. We are also running telescope workshops each Sunday, which will be given by Carl O'Beirnes, who has appeared on BBC's The Sky At Night with Sir Patrick Moore! If you choose to visit our Shop on Sunday, remember that you can avail of a 5% discount off everything! Click HERE for more information on our telescope, or give our sales team a call on (01) 847 0777. Astronomy Ireland The world’s most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie (subscribe/unsubscribe)

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[Astronomy Ireland] Christmas Lecture, TV Shows, Geminid Meteor Shower, Events
by AI Secretary 10 Dec '10

10 Dec '10

20 Months Membership Offer 2010 Events DVDs Shop 1. Christmas Lecture On Monday, December 13th, the world's top astronomer will explain why astronomy is the most important subject in the world at Astronomy Ireland's Christmas Public Lecture in Trinity College Dublin. The General Secretary of the IAU, Dr Ian Corbett, who is the representative of all the professional astronomers in the world, will give highly visual talk explaining the aspects of astronomy that have particular influence in our everyday lives and show why we cannot just simply decide to ignore our universe around us. Astronomy Ireland wants everyone to come along to this lecture and learn about the work that goes into astronomy and what society gets out of it. The lecture takes place in the Ed Burke Theatre (Arts Building), Trinity College Dublin, on Monday, December 13th. Tickets cost 7euro (5euro member's rate) and there is a DVD available for anyone who cannot make it to the talk on the night. After the lecture there will be a party in The Lombard. All our welcome to attend and you will have the opportunity to chat with Dr Corbett, other guests, and Astronomy Ireland staff and volunteers. BOOK TICKETS ORDER DVD 2. TV Shows Astronomy Ireland's David Moore appeared on the new regular TV Show on TV3's Morning Show with Martin King and Aisling O'Loughlin on Thursday, December 9th where he announced some of the more exciting upcoming celestial events, he also discussed how the world's top astronomer will explain why astronomy is important at our upcoming Christmas Lecture by Dr Ian Corbett. If there are any topics you would like David Moore to discuss on this regular slot, please email your suggestions to tv(a)astronomy.ie One of Astronomy Ireland's Education Officers, Lee Hurley, appeared on Elev8 Wednesday, December 8th to talk about recently discovered forms of life that are based on arsenic. These shows are currently available to view on our website. 3. Geminid Meteor Shower What is promising to be the best meteor shower this year, the Geminid Meteor Shower is set to peak on December 13th; meteors will be visible on the evening of December 13th and well into the morning of December 14th. Early evening sightings of the meteor shower will appear low on the horizon, they will appear overhead later at night. The Geminids are unusual in that they are caused by dust and debris left over from an asteroid and not a comet, asteroid 3200 Phaethon. Astronomy Ireland is urging everyone to go outside over the next few nights and count how many shooting stars they see, as the Geminid Meteor Shower takes place. To take part in Astronomy Ireland's Nationwide Meteor Watch, click HERE. Remember, no special equipment is needed, and this is a great way to get friends and family to do some astronomy with you! Simply count the number of meteors you see every 15 minutes (starting on the hour, or quarter past), and email your report along with your name and location to meteor(a)astronomy.ie. 4. Events December 13 - Does Astronomy Matter? - Public Lecture by Dr Ian Corbett December 13 - Jupiter Moon Conjunction December 13 - Geminid Meteor Shower Peaks December 21 - Total Lunar Eclipse Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie (subscribe/unsubscribe)

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[Astronomy Ireland] 20th Anniversary Christmas Lecture & Party - The Big One
by AI Secretary 07 Dec '10

07 Dec '10

20 Months Membership Offer 2010 Events DVDs Shop I want you to get excited about this year's Christmas Lecture, whether you come see it live or order the DVD. We've pulled out all the stops for our 20th anniversary and booked the top astronomer who represents all the astronomers of the world, astronomy's answer to "The Pope" if you will! Dr Ian Corbett is the head of the International Astronomical Union, the body for all the world's astronomers, and he is coming to Ireland to speak to you, as a member of the general public, about how important astronomy is to our everyday lives. He will talk about how all the latest discoveries about our Universe make such an impact on our daily lives. How history has shown that explaining the Universe has created our modern society. He'll show the latest stunning images from around the cosmos and explain the current state of our knowledge, in what will be the most remarkable lecture we have ever organised. When someone of this calibre comes to Ireland shouldn't you make the effort to hear what they have to say? Book tickets HERE. If you can't make it order it on DVD HERE. Will you ask your friends and family to come to this extremely important lecture, too? -- David Moore BSc FRAS Chairman Astronomy Ireland - The World's Most Popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie P.S.: We will hold our Christmas party immediately after the event in The Lombard Inn with free food. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Christmas Lecture, Sunday Opening, NASA Discover New Life
by AI Secretary 03 Dec '10

03 Dec '10

20 Months Membership Offer <http://www.astronomy.ie/20anniversary.php> 2010 Events <http://www.astronomy.ie/Events2010.php> DVDs <http://www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.php> Shop <http://astronomy.ie/shop/> 1. Christmas Lecture On Monday, December 13th, Dr. Ian Corbett, General Secretary, International Astronomical Union, Paris, will delve into the aspects of astronomy that have particular influence in our everyday lives and show why we cannot just simply decide to ignore our universe around us. Dr. Ian Corbett will answer such questions as . Does Astronomy matter? . Is it any use to the world? . Could we just forget about astronomy totally and get on with our lives without it? The lecture takes place in the <http://www.tcd.ie/Maps/assets/pdf/tcd-main-campus.pdf> Ed Burke Theatre (Arts Building), Trinity College Dublin, on Monday, December 13th. Tickets cost 7euro (5euro member's rate) and there is a DVD available for anyone who cannot make it to the talk on the night. After the lecture there will be a party in The Lombard. All our welcome to attend and you will have the opportunity to chat with Dr Corbett, other guests, and Astronomy Ireland staff and volunteers. BOOK TICKETS <https://astro1.securesites.com/sub/201012lectickets.htm> ORDER DVD <http://www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.php> 2. Sunday Opening Hours and Workshops "Choosing a Telescope" "Photographing the Night Sky" BBC Sky At Night star Carl O'Beirnes will give workshops each Sunday between now and Christmas at the Astronomy Ireland Shop in Artane. Carl featured in The Sun newspaper <http://www.astronomy.ie/images/carlsun.jpg> during the week as his space photographs are renowned not only in Ireland but around the world. We are lucky to have Carl at the Shop to share his knowledge so please come along for some excellent advice on telescopes and techniques! The Shop opens from 10am to 6pm each Sunday. Remember each time you see this exciting space event email your report to <mailto:observe@astronomy.ie> observe(a)astronomy.ie, we will do our best to include it in a forthcoming issue of 'Astronomy & Space' <http://www.astronomy.ie/magazine.php> magazine. 3. NASA Discovers New Life NASA have announced that a new kind of life was found in a poisonous lake in California. The DNA of this bacteria is based on arsenic - poisonous to other life - as opposed to phosphorous. Scientists had believed that all life should be based on the same six elements, but this discovery shows that life can evolve depending on its environment. This opens up a lot of implications for the search for extraterrestrial life, as it means that life in the Universe could potentially take on a whole host of different forms! This will be covered in an upcoming issue of <http://www.astronomy.ie/magazine.php> Astronomy & Space magazine. Astronomy Ireland <http://www.astronomy.ie/> The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie (subscribe/unsubscribe <http://lists.redbrick.dcu.ie/mailman/listinfo/astronomy> )

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