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

[Astronomy Ireland] Astronomy Ireland Public Announcment On Gerry Ryan Show
by AI Secretary 31 Mar '10

31 Mar '10

20 Months Membership Offer 2010 Events DVDs Shop Astronomy Ireland Featuring On Gerry Ryan Show Astronomy Ireland Chairman, David Moore, will feature on RTE 2FM's Gerry Ryan Show tomorrow, April 1st, at around 10:30am. As well as detailing all the celestial happenings in the sky over Easter weekend, David will be making a very important public announcement which we urge you not to miss. Tune in live on air on 90-92 fm or listen to it online HERE. Don't worry, if you can't listen to the feature live there will be a recording available on our website at www.astronomy.ie/audio shortly after the show finishes at noon. To listen to our previous appearances on The Gerry Ryan Show and various other radio interviews click HERE. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe ) Our Online Telescope Shop

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[Astronomy Ireland] Easter Lecture & DVD, LHC & CERN, Astronomy Tips
by AI Secretary 30 Mar '10

30 Mar '10

20 Months Membership Offer 2010 Events DVDs Shop 1. Easter Lecture & DVD On Monday, April 12th our Easter Lecture will take place in Trinity College Dublin (a DVD is available to order online for anyone who can't make it). Dr. David Rothery's lectures are fascinating and compelling and we are fortunate enough to be receiving our April Lecture from him! Senior lecturer with the Open University and author of several books, Dr.Rothery will give a talk entitled "Mercury - new insights". Mercury is one of the most mysterious planets in our Solar System and in this fully-illustrated presentation Dr. Rothery will show that Mercury's origins and subsequent evolution close to the Sun have given it a complex volcanic and tectonic history, a dynamic exosphere, and an extremely unstable temperature range (from -173°C to 427°C!). To read more facts about Mercury click HERE. The lecture takes place at 8pm on Monday, April 12 in the Mac Neil Theatre, Hamilton Building, Trinity College Dublin (click here for a map). For more information visit our webpage HERE. For anyone who can't make it on the night there is a DVD available to purchase online. After the lecture there will be a social reception in The Lombard (corner of Pearse St. and Westland Row) where all are welcome to join us. Come along for a chat with Dr. Rothery, other lecture-goers, and Astronomy Ireland members, volunteers and staff. Food will be kindly provided by The Lombard. BOOK TICKETS ORDER DVD 2. LHC Record The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN has produced the first record-breaking high-energy particle collisions. Scientists working on the European machine have successfully smashed beams of proton particles together at unprecedented energies. This marks the beginning of work that could lead to the discovery of fundamental new physics. The seven-trillion-electronvolt (TeV) collisions took place today at CERN, with cheering and applause in the control room as the first collisions were confirmed. The event was watched by people the world over via webcast. The ultimate aim for the LHC is to find the theorised Higgs Boson, a particle that gives mass to matter. To read more about this significant event click HERE. For more information about CERN and LHC click HERE. 3. Astronomy Tips a.. Mercury is visible to the lower right of Venus each evening just after sunset, making it easy to locate and observe. Due to Mercury's orbit around the Sun, it won't be visible for long so get out a view it while you can! b.. Saturn is visible in the East, and as it is around the equinox on Saturn too, a strange effect is causing its rings to light up brighter than usual - a great sight through telescope. c.. There is a Full Moon tonight, March 30. d.. For more information on what to see in the night sky this week check out the Sky Diary section in the March issue of 'Astronomy & Space' magazine. Don't forget to email what you see to observe(a)astronomy.ie and we will try to publish your pictures and observations in forthcoming issues of the magazine. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe ) Our Online Telescope Shop

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[Astronomy Ireland] Moon-Mars Watch Reports, Salesperson Required
by AI Secretary 26 Mar '10

26 Mar '10

20 Months Membership Offer 2010 Events DVDs Shop 1. MOON & MARS WATCH A SUCCESS While much of Ireland experienced cloud and rain, lots of people all over the country were lucky to have a break in the clouds for our Nationwide Moon & Mars Watch! Mars rested just above the bright Moon, and it will not be as close to Earth again for another four years. Due to its proximity, people were able to see its dried up oceans and frozen carbon dioxide ice caps. With views like that, it's easy to see why people used to think that the dark patches on the surface were vast forests of trees and plant life. Read the reports here from our Branches all over Ireland about last night's Nationwide Moon & Mars Watch. 2. SHOP SALESPERSON VACANCY Looking for work in a fast-paced sales and retail environment? The Astronomy Ireland Shop is the biggest telescope shop in Ireland, supplying telescopes to everyone from beginners to experts alike. Applicants should have sales experience by phone, email and face to face. You should be highly driven and have the ability to quickly learn an array of product knowledge. A great interest in astronomy is not necessary, successful applicants will be trained in the relevant areas. If this position would suit you, or you know anybody with sales experience, please send your CV with a cover letter to sales(a)astronomy.ie or call Lee at (01) 847 0777. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe ) Our Online Telescope Shop

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[Astronomy Ireland] Nationwide Watches, Earth Hour, Special Offer, Astronomy Tips, Events
by AI Secretary 25 Mar '10

25 Mar '10

20 Months Membership Offer 2010 Events DVDs Shop 1. Nationwide Watches Tonight Our Nationwide Moon & Mars Watches takes place around the country at 8pm tonight and we encourage everyone to go along to go to your nearest Watch and view Mars, the Moon and Saturn through some of Ireland's largest and most powerful telescopes, set up for you by our Branch Coordinators. Please note events will go ahead regardless of weather. This is an entirely free event and everyone is welcome to come along. Mars is a fascinating sight through a telescope, and tonight it will be placed extremely close to the Moon. Not only this, there will be a free draw for everyone who attends the Watches around the country, where you will be in with a chance to win a pair of 15 X 70 binoculars from our Shop. There will be Watches in Carlow, Clare, Cork, Dublin, Louth, Sligo, and Waterford. For more information and to check the exact locations click HERE. 2. Earth Hour At 8:30pm this Saturday, March 27, millions of people around the globe will turn their lights off for one hour to mark Earth Hour 2010. Earth Hour, organised by WWF (World Wildlife Fund) aims to raise awareness of the effects of Climate Change and create a sustainable low carbon future for our planet. From an astronomers perspective, Earth Hour highlights the ill effects of light pollution around the world, and is the perfect opportunity to partake in an hour of observing beneath unpolluted skies. See the article below for our astronomy tips for the weekend, and remember to email observe(a)astronomy.ie with your Earth Hour 2010 observations which we will try to include it forthcoming issues of 'Astronomy & Space' magazine. For more information about Earth Hour 2010 in Ireland click HERE. 3. Astronomy Ireland Membership 'Special Offer' This year Astronomy Ireland is celebrating its 20th Birthday and to mark this great occasion we are offering you, our friends, a special offer to become a member of the world's most popular and indeed largest astronomy organisation! 20 months membership for the price of 12 - sign up to this fantastic offer HERE. When you become a member of Astronomy Ireland you will receive our full-colour, 48 page, 'Astronomy & Space' magazine directly to your door each month, get discounts to all our events which we hold nationwide, and be a proud supporter of promoting astronomy throughout Ireland. Sign up today and get 20 copies of 'Astronomy & Space' magazine for the price of 12 issues. If you are already a member please encourage your family and friends to sign up and get involved in this fantastic hobby too! JOIN HERE 4. Astronomy Tips This Week a.. The Moon stands just 8degrees from Mars tonight, March 25 - come along to our Moon and Mars Watch to see this fascinating sight through our powerful telescopes! b.. Saturn and the Moon will be just 8degrees apart on March 29. Saturn is excellent for observing in the South all month. c.. There will be a Full Moon next Tuesday, March 30. d.. For more information on what to see in the night sky this week check out the Sky Diary section in the March issue of 'Astronomy & Space' magazine. Don't forget to email what you see to observe(a)astronomy.ie and we will try to publish your pictures and observations in forthcoming issues of the magazine. 5. Upcoming Events March 22 to 26 - NASA STEREO Convention March 25 - Mars & Saturn Watch (Nationwide) March 26 - Stereo: Solar Stormwatch Public Lecture (NASA STEREO Convention, Science Gallery) April 12 - 'Mercury - New Insights' Public Lecture by Dr. Dave Rothery (TCD) Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe ) Our Online Telescope Shop

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[Astronomy Ireland] Nationwide Watches This Week, Upcoming Events
by AI Secretary 23 Mar '10

23 Mar '10

20 Months Membership Offer 2010 Events DVDs Shop 1. Nationwide Moon & Mars Watch This Thursday, March 25, there will be Nationwide Moon & Mars Watches taking place at locations around the country. These Watches are being held in celebration of the planet Mars which is bigger, brighter and better than it has been in Irish skies for years. Mars is a fascinating sight to the naked eye, and even more breath taking through a telescope. Not only this, on Thursday Mars will be placed extremely close to the Moon, a spectacular sight through a telescope for established astronomers, amateurs and complete beginners alike. We urge all of you to go to your nearest Watch and view this spectacular planet through some of Ireland's largest and most powerful telescopes which will be set up for your by our Branch Coordinators. This is an entirely free event and everyone is welcome to come along. Watches will begin at locations nationwide at 8pm. CONFIRMED LOCATIONS The locations of currently confirmed Watches are; Carlow, Clare, Cork, Dublin, Louth, Sligo, and Waterford, however please keep checking our website before Thursday as more locations may be added. FREE COMPETITION There will be a free draw for everyone who attends the Watches at locations nationwide. Entry is completely free and you will be in with a chance to win a pair of binoculars from our Shop. FREE DOWNLOADS To download a Sky Diary Map showing all the constellations and planets visible this month click HERE. For fun Mars downloads click HERE. MORE INFORMATION For more information about Nationwide Moon and Mars Watch and to check the location of your nearest Watch click HERE. Alternatively email sec(a)astronomy.ie or call us on (01) 847 0777. 2. Upcoming Events March 22 to 26 - NASA STEREO Convention March 23 - Stereo: Sounds of the Sun Public Lecture (NASA STEREO Convention, Science Gallery) March 25 - Mars & Saturn Watch (Nationwide) March 26 - Stereo: Solar Stormwatch Public Lecture (NASA STEREO Convention, Science Gallery) April 12 - 'Mercury - New Insights' Public Lecture by Dr. Dave Rothery (TCD) Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe ) Our Online Telescope Shop

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[Astronomy Ireland] Astronomy Ireland On National Television
by AI Secretary 20 Mar '10

20 Mar '10

*20 Months Membership Offer <http://www.astronomy.ie/20anniversary.html> 2010 Events <http://www.astronomy.ie/Events2010.html> DVDs<http://www.astronomy.ie/dvd> Shop <http://www.astronomy.ie/shop>* ** *Astronomy Ireland On National Television This Monday!* ** ** *AFTERNOON SHOW* Astronomy Ireland will appear on *RTE Television's The Afternoon Show<http://www.rte.ie/tv/theafternoonshow/> *this Monday, March 22, in a special feature which focuses on the planet Mars, a Mars Watch, and telescopes which are recommended for viewing the Red Planet. This slot on RTE's flagship daytime television show will see Astronomy Ireland members at a night-time observing session in the Phoenix Park. The telescope gathering which was filmed last month shows members successfully observing Mars, it's polar ice caps, and the Moon. On The Afternoon Show this Monday you will see Astronomy Ireland Chairman, *David Moore* <http://www.astronomy.ie/dmbio.html>, being interviewed at the watch and speaking extensively about Mars, which is an observing highlight this month, how to view the planet, and which telescopes are best for planetary observation. Also, in studio on Monday there will be an array of powerful telescopes from the *Astronomy Ireland Shop* <http://astronomy.ie/shop.html> on display for viewers to see. Tune in to RTE One this Monday to see the feature. Don't worry, if you miss it this Monday it will be available to view on our *website*<http://www.astronomy.ie/> early next week and on *RTE Player* <http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1068954> from Tuesday, March 23. The show will give viewers a taste of what's to come at our Nationwide Moon & Mars Watch which takes place next Thursday, March 25. Click HERE<http://www.astronomy.ie/marswatches25mar10.html>for more information and to check your nearest Watch. *We hope to get a monthly Astronomy Ireland slot on RTÉ soon so if you would like to see more features like this on national television, please email RTE and let them know!* *MOON & MARS WATCH* All this takes place during the month of March which we devoted entirely to the planet Mars which is ideal for observation in the night sky. As part of *Mars Month* <http://www.astronomy.ie/march2010.html> our next big event takes place next Thursday, March 25 - *Mars, Moon and Saturn Watch*<http://www.astronomy.ie/marswatches25mar10.html>. The Watch will take place at various locations nationwide and we encourage all of you to come along to this free event and see Mars, the Moon and Saturn through some of Ireland's most powerful telescopes. For more information and to check the location of your nearest Watch click*HERE*<http://www.astronomy.ie/marswatches25mar10.html> . *To download a Sky Map for March 25 click **HERE*<http://www.astronomy.ie/marswatches25mar10.html> * and for other **free Mars downloads click **HERE*<http://www.astronomy.ie/march2010.html> *.* * ------------------------------ * ** *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> )* ** *Our Online Telescope Shop <http://www.astronomy.ie/shop.html>*

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[Astronomy Ireland] Afternoon Show, New Discovery, Astronomy Tips, Events
by AI Secretary 18 Mar '10

18 Mar '10

20 Months Membership Offer 2010 Events DVDs Shop 1. Astronomy Ireland On The Afternoon Show Astronomy Ireland will appear on RTE Television's The Afternoon Show this Monday, March 22, in a special feature which focuses on the planet Mars, a Mars Watch, and specific telescopes which are recommended for viewing the Red Planet. On the show, you will see Astronomy Ireland members gather with their telescope at a night-time observing session to view the planet. Astronomy Ireland Chairman, David Moore, will be interviewed, and will speak extensively about Mars, how to observe the planet this month, and which telescopes are best for viewing. Tune in to RTE One this Monday to see the feature. Don't worry, if you miss it this Monday it will be available to view on our website early next week. All this takes place during the month of March which we devoted entirely to the planet Mars which is ideal for observation in the night sky. As part of Mars Month our next big event takes place next Thursday, March 25 - Mars, Moon and Saturn Watch. The Watch will take place at various locations nationwide and we encourage all of you to come along to this free event and see Mars, the Moon and Saturn through some of Ireland's most powerful telescopes. For more information and to check the location of your nearest Watch click HERE. To download a Sky Map for March 25 click HERE and for other free Mars downloads click HERE. 2. New Planet Found Astronomers have discovered a new planet approximately the size of Jupiter orbiting a distant star outside of our solar system. The planet, detected by the CoRoT space telescope, an initiative lead by the French Space Agency (CNES), could help develop a better understanding of 'exoplanets', planets around other stars. To read more about this exciting discovery click HERE. 3. Astronomy Tips This Week a.. Saturday, March 20, sees the Vernal Equinox, the astronomical mid-point between the Solstices. Observers will get to see a thin crescent Moon near the horizon at sunset. b.. This week just after sunset, the bright planet Venus is venturing higher into the sky as it becomes the "Evening Star". c.. In the West and South, Saturn and Mars, respectively, will be placed at nice locations in the sky for observers. These make amazing targets through a telescope. d.. For more information on what to see in the night sky this week check out the Sky Diary section in the March issue of 'Astronomy & Space' magazine. Don't forget to email what you see to observe(a)astronomy.ie and we will try to publish your pictures and observations in forthcoming issues of the magazine. 4. Events March 22 to 26 - NASA STEREO Convention & Public Lectures (Science Gallery) March 25 - Mars & Saturn Watch (Nationwide) April 12 - 'Mercury - New Insights' Public Lecture by Dr. Dave Rothery (TCD) Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe ) Our Online Telescope Shop

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[Astronomy Ireland] ISS, Mercury Lecture, Education Packs, NASA Convention
by AI Secretary 16 Mar '10

16 Mar '10

20 Months Membership Offer 2010 Events DVDs Shop 1. ISS Visible Until Friday The International Space Station (ISS) is visible in Irish skies until this Friday, March 19. The ISS will appear as an extremely bright star-like object in evening skies and is the brightest object in the sky apart from the Moon. This man-made object is a spectacular sight and we urge all of you to go outside and watch as it passes over. For more information about the Space Station click HERE. Remember each time you see this exciting space event email your report to observe(a)astronomy.ie, we will do our best to include it in a forthcoming issue of 'Astronomy & Space' magazine. To receive daily predictions of the times ISS will pass over straight to your mobile phone, text SPACE to 57003 (reply STOP to unsubscribe). Each text costs 1euro, and only one message will be sent per day. Proceeds help to promote interest in astronomy across Ireland. 2. Mercury Lecture & DVD On Monday, April 12, Dave Rothery of the Open University, UK, will deliver our next Public Lecture, giving a talk entitled 'Mercury - New Insights'. Mercury is one of the planets about which we know least of in our Solar System, and the more we learn the more mysterious it becomes. For more information on this lecture and to book your tickets or order the DVD click HERE. 3. Education Packs As we mentioned last week Astronomy Ireland have a very successful School Education Programme with a team of Education Officers who travel around Irish schools giving fascinating talks on astronomy. We have been inundated with requests from you for information packs about the programme to drop into your local schools. If you still haven't requested a pack and you know somebody who might be interested in a school visit, have children yourself, are a teacher or would be willing to drop some information into your local school please email linda(a)astronomy.ie for a full information pack about the programme which will be posted out to an address of your choice. Don't forget to let the school know about our very special offer for the 2009/2010 school term. Every school who books a talk during the 2009/10 term will receive a free astronomy pack for every student! Log on to www.astronomy.ie/outreach for more information or contact Simon Reynolds on (01) 847 0777 to book a visit. BOOK A TALK REQUEST INFO PACK 4. NASA Convention At Science Gallery >From March 22 to 26 the Science Gallery (TCD) will be hosting NASA's 21st STEREO Science Working Group Meeting. The project, which was launched October 2006, provides a unique 3D view of the Sun-Earth System. It does this with two nearly identical observatories - one ahead of Earth in its orbit, the other trailing behind - which trace the flow of energy and matter from the Sun to Earth. These satellites are vital in revealing the 3D structure of the violent eruptions of matter from the sun known as coronal mass ejections, which disrupt satellites and power grids, and help us understand why they happen. Over the course of the week a hundred space scientists from all over the world will be attending the convention. To read more about the STEREO project click HERE. For further details of the meeting click HERE. As part of the convention, there will be a public lecture on the Tuesday evening, March 23, at 6:30pm in the Science Gallery and all are welcome to attend. The talk will be given by Dr. Janet Luhmann of University of California, Berkeley and is entitled 'Stereo: Sounds of the Sun'. There is no admission fee for the talk but pre-booking is essential. For more information click HERE. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe ) Our Online Telescope Shop

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[Astronomy Ireland] Special Offer, Mars Month, Wonders of the Solar System, Astronomy Tips, Events
by AI Secretary 12 Mar '10

12 Mar '10

20 Months Membership Offer 2010 Events DVDs Shop 1. Special Offer to Mark our 20th Birthday This year Astronomy Ireland is delighted to be celebrating its 20th Anniversary and to mark this great occasion we are offering, you, our friends, a special offer to become a member of the world's most popular and indeed largest astronomy organisation! 20 months membership for the price of 12, why not sign up HERE. Founded 20 years ago, in 1990, by David Moore, Ireland's best known astronomer, the society has grown from strength to strength and this can be largely credited to the support our members and friends have shown over the past two decades. The first issue of 'Astronomy & Space' magazine was published in 1992 and has been a jam packed magazine filled with all the happenings in the world of astronomy, particularly Irish stories, ever since. Why not sign up and receive this fantastic magazine directly to your door each month, get discounts to all our events which we hold nationwide, and be a proud supporter of promoting astronomy throughout Ireland. Sign up today and get 20 copies of 'Astronomy & Space' magazine for the price of 12 issues. This fantastic offer is valid throughout our 20th year. If you are already a member please encourage your family and friends to sign up and get involved in this fantastic hobby too! JOIN HERE 2. Mars Month - March 2010 Don't forget, this month, Astronomy Ireland are celebrating all things Martian by devoting the entire month of March to the Red Planet, Mars. To celebrate the prominence of Mars in the sky this month we have Mars & Moon Nationwide Watches on Thursday, March 25 at various key locations around the country. On our website www.astronomy.ie we also have FREE factsheets, desktop backgrounds and even a 3-D screensaver for you to download. For more fun facts about Mars and to access the downloads simply click HERE. For more information and to find your nearest Watch click HERE. Be sure to keep checking the website regularly as we are continually adding more locations for the Watch. Download your FREE sky diary for the night of the Watch by clicking HERE. 3. Wonders of the Solar System Make sure to look out for the fantastic BBC2 programme being aired on Sunday nights called 'Wonders of the Solar System'. Brian Cox presents this spell-binding new series where he visits some of the most stunning places on Earth to describe how the laws of nature have carved natural wonders across the solar system. To watch any clips you may have missed click HERE. There are 5 more episodes remaining and they are simply not to be missed. BBC2, Sundays , 9pm. Repeated BBC2, Tuesdays, 7pm. Two 4. Astronomy Tips for the Weekend International Space Station The International Space Station is passing over Irish skies each evening until March 19. This huge spacecraft is the largest and most expensive object ever put into orbit around Earth, and at the moment, there are six astronauts on board. In the sky, the ISS appears as a bright star-like object moving slowly across the Southern sky, before disappearing into the Earth's shadow. The sight only lasts for a couple of minutes, so be sure to watch at the right time! The times for when to see the ISS are available on the Internet, and if you want to receive predictions to your mobile phone a couple of hours before it passes, simply text SPACE to 57003 (reply STOP to unsubscribe). Each text costs 1euro, and only one message will be sent per day. Proceeds help to promote interest in astronomy across Ireland. The Planets This weekend is an excellent opportunity to start watching out for the planets. Just after sunset, in the West, you will see Venus rest just above the horizon. Throughout the night, Mars is visible as a bright reddish 'star' high in the South. After around 9pm each night, the ringed planet Saturn begins to rise in the East. All three planets are excellent targets to view in binoculars or a telescope, as you will be able to see rings and moons, polar ice caps, and moon-like phases. More details about these planets are available in the Sky Diary of this month's issue of Astronomy & Space. For advice on what equipment you should use for observing the planets, please call our team in the Astronomy Ireland Shop. Also, please send in your observations to observe(a)astronomy.ie so we can publish your sightings in our magazine, Astronomy & Space. 5. Events March 25 - Mars and Moon Watch (Nationwide) April 12 - Public Lecture: "Mercury: New Insights" by Dr David Rothery Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe ) Our Online Telescope Shop

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[Astronomy Ireland] Lecture Report, School Visits, ISS Passes Mars
by AI Secretary 09 Mar '10

09 Mar '10

20 Months Membership Offer 2010 Events DVDs Shop 1. "Behold Mars" Report & DVD On Monday night lots of people filled the MacNeill Theatre in Trinity College Dublin to experience Kevin Nolan's amazing talk on Mars. Guests were treated to spectacular images of the Red Planet, taken by orbiters and landers. Kevin explained how Mars gives scientists a unique and important opportunity to investigate the environment as it would have been on Earth when life first appeared. He revealed that Mars is not the dry, arid planet that we once thought it was; it harbours vast quantities of water underneath its surface. Sometimes, when the conditions are just right, liquid water can form in small amounts on the Martian surface. Kevin discussed the possibilities of life on Mars, how early observers thought the planet was covered in canals and vegetation, to more recent times when it was revealed that Mars appeared lifeless, and now, when it looks like there may be some possibilities of microbial life. Kevin argues that it is extremely important that we continue studying this fascinating world, both with robotic missions now and manned missions in the future. After this excellent lecture, Kevin signed copies of his book for people, and continued his discussion of Mars in The Lombard, where we were treated to complimentary food. You can read the report and view photographs of the event HERE. A DVD of the lecture is available for everyone around Ireland, and for those who wish to see it again. Order your copy of the DVD HERE. 2. Astronomy School Visits Astronomy Ireland are now in the second year of running our very successful School Education Programme. We now have a team of Education Officers who travel around Irish schools giving fascinating talks on astronomy. The talks are comprised of a PowerPoint, highly visual presentation with a 45 - 60 minute detailed lesson on astronomy which is both fun and of course educational with time for a question and answer session at the end. Talks can be tailored to suit each groups needs, for example, age, knowledge level, particular interests, etc. Talks for junior groups can be tailored to be more visually appealing with less detailed content, and more time for questions. If you know somebody who might be interested in a school visit, have children yourself, are a teacher or would be willing to drop some information into your local school please email linda(a)astronomy.ie for a full information pack about the programme. Alternatively, log on to www.astronomy.ie/outreach for more information or contact Simon Reynolds on (01) 847 0777 to book a visit. Astronomy Ireland's aim is to 'Build a Science Culture for Ireland' and with your help we can get astronomy as a more widely studied subject in the Irish curriculum and get more and more young people learning about and enjoying this fantastic subject. Special Offer: Every school who books a talk during the 2009/10 term will receive a free astronomy pack for every student! BOOK A TALK REQUEST INFO PACK 3. International Space Station Over Ireland The International Space Station (ISS) will blaze over Ireland in the evening skies until March 19. This huge spacecraft - as big as Croke Park - is the most expensive machine ever built, and is currently home to six astronauts. The times for when to see the ISS are available on the Internet, and if you want to receive predictions to your mobile phone a couple of hours before it passes, simply text SPACE to 57003 (reply STOP to unsubscribe). Each text costs 1euro, and only one message will be sent per day. Proceeds help to promote interest in astronomy across Ireland. For more information visit our webpage HERE. Be sure to email your observations to observe(a)astronomy.ie so they can be published in our magazine, Astronomy & Space. ISS to pass in front of Mars Skywatchers along a line from Limerick to Bray will be lucky enough to see the International Space Station pass in front of the planet Mars at 7:53pm. After it rises in the West, watch the Station as it glides through space and approaches Mars in the South-East, before it disappears into the Earth's shadow. If you see this event, please let us know by emailing observe(a)astronomy.ie. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe ) Our Online Telescope Shop

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