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

[Astronomy Ireland] Star-B-Q, Noctilucent Clouds, Radio Interview
by AI Secretary 27 Jul '10

27 Jul '10

8 Months Membership FREE 2010 Events DVDs Shop ONLY FOUR DAYS LEFT TO AVAIL OF OUR EARLY BIRD SPECIAL OFFER! 1. Star-B-Q 2010 Astronomy Ireland's annual STAR-B-Q takes place this year in Roundwood, Co. Wicklow, on Saturday, September 4th. The Star-B-Q is Ireland's biggest annual telescope event and offers unparalleled dark skies just 30 minutes outside of Dublin. This year, why not come along and experience the wonders of the universe through Ireland's most powerful telescopes with your family and friends? At this Star-B-Q, which promises to be our biggest ever, guests will be treated to a top-quality barbecue cooked by a Michelin chef, before enjoying a series of special intriguing talks covering all aspects of astronomy and space, an array of telescopes to look through, junior section for children, evening entertainment, and Astronomy Ireland Shop displays. All of this is included in the price of your ticket. For more information about STAR-B-Q 2010 click HERE or call us on (01) 847 0777. To read a report and see pictures from last year's Star-B-Q click HERE. SPECIAL OFFER Book before July 31st to receive 10euro off each adult ticket purchased. Full price tickets cost 39euro (adults) or 29euro (U16). Family and group rates are available on request. BOOK TICKETS 2. Noctilucent Clouds We have received a number of reports of noctilucent clouds (NLCs) in recent days. These are high-altitude clouds that are lit up during the night by the Sun when it is still below the horizon. For more information and to view pictures taken from Ireland and the UK click HERE. Remember, if you see any NLCs please email your report to observe(a)astronomy.ie and we will do our best to include it in an issue of 'Astronomy & Space' magazine. 3. Something Different Although not really about space, Astronomy Ireland Chairman David Moore will feature on Dublin South FM radio (93.9 FM) on July 26th at 11.00 am commenting on current affairs. Listen to this online at www.astronomy.ie/audio. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe ) Our Online Telescope Shop

1 0

[Astronomy Ireland] Sales/Manager/Business Vacancy, Biggest Star Ever!, Sun Watch & WorkShop
by Astronomy Ireland Secretary 22 Jul '10

22 Jul '10

8 Months Membership FREE 2010 Events DVDs Shop 1. JOB VACANCY: Sales/Business Development We are seeking to hire a sales person and/or business development manager for the Astronomy Ireland Shop, Ireland's biggest telescope shop. For details of this position email jobs(a)astronomy.ie or simply click here: www.astronomy.ie/SalesBusDev.html Send C.V. to jobs(a)astronomy.ie or call Lee on (01) 847 0777. This position would suit anyone with an interest sales or business, so please forward this email to friends/colleagues you think may be interested. 2. Biggest Ever Star Found! Astronomers using the European Southern Observatory's VLT (Very Large Telescope) in Chile, and data from the Hubble Space Telescope, have found the biggest star ever seen in our Universe. The Star, thought to have been born just 1 million years ago, is 10 million times brighter than our own Sun. It is located in a satellite galaxy of our own Milky Way galaxy called the Large Magellanic Cloud (not visible from Ireland) about 165,000 light-years away. Before this groundbreaking discovery it was not thought that stars could ever get any bigger than 150 times the mass of the Sun, leaving astronomers around the world now scratching their heads and re-thinking their theories of how stars form. To read more about this amazing discovery click HERE. MEDIA COVERAGE Astronomy Ireland Chairman, David Moore, featured on several radio stations over the last few days (4FM, East Coast Radio) to discuss this remarkable discovery which you can listen to online at www.astronomy.ie/audio 3. Sun Watch & Telescope Workshops This Saturday There will be another Sun Watch at the Astronomy Ireland Shop in Artane (click HERE for map) this Saturday, July 17th. The event is open for all members of the public and everyone is welcome to come along and view the Sun, our nearest star, using the specialised equipment our staff will set up. Through special UV filters, you will be able to view the disk of the Sun close up, revealing many fascinating features on the surface. Just today, a new sun spot has appeared on the surface, promising an excellent observation session this Saturday. The Sun Watch takes place this Saturday, July 17th, at 1pm. This is a free event open to all members of the public so please tell everyone you know, and bring along your family and friends! For more information click HERE. ***WARNING *** Please note that looking at the Sun is extremely dangerous and can cause instant and permanent blindness. Only observe the Sun under the guidance of professionals with proper safety equipment. TELESCOPE WORKSHOP (10AM - 5:30PM) As well as our Sun Watch this Saturday, why not come along and get some expert advice on how to set up your equipment, when to observe and how to find certain things in the night sky. Pay a visit to Astronomy Ireland Shop this Saturday, anytime between 10am and 5:30pm, for a walk through setting up your telescope and locating celestial objects using your piece of equipment. Click HERE for more information or email sales(a)astronomy.ie Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe ) Our Online Telescope Shop

1 0

[Astronomy Ireland] Star-B-Q, Saturn Watch Report, Events
by Astronomy Ireland Secretary 22 Jul '10

22 Jul '10

8 Months Membership FREE 2010 Events DVDs Shop 1. Star-B-Q 2010 Astronomy Ireland's annual STAR-B-Q takes place this year in Roundwood, Co. Wicklow, on Saturday, September 4th. The Star-B-Q is Ireland's biggest annual telescope event and offers unparalleled dark skies just 30 minutes outside of Dublin. This year, why not come along and experience the wonders of the universe through Ireland's most powerful telescopes with your family and friends? Star-B-Q 2010 promises to be our biggest ever with an exciting night of guest speakers, an array of telescopes to look through, junior section for children, evening entertainment, and Astronomy Ireland Shop displays. All of this is included in the price of your ticket, as well as food and refreshments. For more information about STAR-B-Q 2010 click HERE or call us on (01) 847 0777. For a taste of what you will get to see through our powerful telescopes at this years Star-B-Q check out the images of Saturn taken at our recent Saturn Watch (see below for full report). To read a report and see pictures from last year's Star-B-Q click HERE. EARLY BIRD SPECIAL OFFER Book before July 31st to receive 10euro off each adult ticket purchased. Full price tickets cost 39euro (adults) or 29euro (U16). Family and group rates are available on request. BOOK TICKETS 2. Saturn Watch Report Page We have updated our Saturn Watch Report Page, to see some of the images and movies of the ringed planet captured at this event on July 10th click HERE. For more amazing views of Saturn and other cosmic targets such as clusters, galaxies, planetary nebulae, coloured and double stars and much more come to our Star-B-Q on September 4th (book before July 31st for Early Bird Rate). 3. Events August 9 - Gamma-ray Astronomy: A New Window on the Extreme Universe (Trinity College Dublin) September 4 - Star-B-Q (Roundwood) October 7 - Autumn Evening Classes Commence (Nationwide) Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe ) Our Online Telescope Shop

1 0

[Astronomy Ireland] Saturn Lecture Report, Sun Watch, Events
by AI Secretary 16 Jul '10

16 Jul '10

8 Months Membership FREE 2010 Events DVDs Shop 1. Saturn and the Cassini mission Lecture Report and DVD On Monday evening, July 12th, at Astronomy Ireland's Public Lecture avid astronomy attendees got a glimpse into the fascinating world of Saturn and it's moons. Dr. Catriona Jackman touched on many topics pertaining to Saturn, from it's history in terms of exploration, the Cassini mission and her specific work on the magnetospheric data that is constantly being retrieved from the spacecraft. Guests were treated to some marvellous insights into the science behind Dr Jackman's work on the planet Saturn and were shown tantalising images from Cassini, such as the jetspots of Enceladus, the veinated surface of Titan and auroras on Saturn. In fact, it is thanks to the work of Dr. Jackman's team that scientists have found clues of underground seas on Enceladus! Following Dr. Jackman's lecture guests took part in a lively question and answer session that finished up at the social reception in the Lombard. To read a full report of the evening click HERE. If you missed the event of the year so far, or indeed if you were there but want to relive the experience over and over again, a DVD is available to order online for just 7euro. Click the link below or call us on (01) 847 0777. To order your copy of the DVD today visit www.astronomy.ie/dvd. 2. Sun Watch This Saturday This Saturday, July 17 Astronomy Ireland will host a Sun Watch at our Shop in Artane (click HERE for map). Members of the public are welcome to come along and observe the Sun, our nearest star. Using special filters, you will be able to view the disk of the Sun close up, revealing many fascinating features on the surface such as sunspots bigger than our own planet Earth! Sunspots are regions on the Sun that are relatively cooler and darker than the surrounding material. They are linked to magnetic activity, and sometimes these regions can 'explode', sending millions of tonnes of material through space towards Earth, causing spectacular aurorae, or Northern Lights. The Sun Watch takes place this Saturday, July 17th, at 1pm. This is a free event open to all members of the public. For more information visit www.astronomy.ie or call us on (01) 847 0777. ***WARNING *** Please note that looking at the Sun is extremely dangerous and can cause instant and permanent blindness. Only observe the Sun under the guidance of professionals with proper safety equipment. 3. Events August 9 - Gamma-ray Astronomy: A New Window on the Extreme Universe (Trinity College Dublin) September 4 - Star-B-Q (Roundwood) October 7 - Autumn Evening Classes Commence (Nationwide) Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe ) Our Online Telescope Shop

1 0

[Astronomy Ireland] Saturn Report, Star-B-Q, Higgs Boson?
by AI Secretary 13 Jul '10

13 Jul '10

8 Months Membership FREE 2010 Events DVDs Shop 1. Saturn Watch Report On Saturday, July 10th, skies were almost perfectly clear for our Saturn Watch at the Astronomy Ireland Shop. Astronomy Ireland Chairman, David Moore, was joined by members of the public at the event where a Celestron CPC 11-inch telescope showed the ringed planet and its moons in all its glory, as well as the planets Mars and Venus. Just before 10pm, almost as if on cue, skies cleared and the crowd had 3 hours of near uninterrupted viewing under excellent conditions. Saturn's rings were clearly visible despite being closer to edge on than we will see them for 15 years and Titan was easily observed to the left of the planet. Guests were also treated to terrific views of deep sky objects such as the Ring Nebula (M57), the Hercules Globular Cluster (M13) and much more. The event was a great success and gave guests a taste of what was to come at our Saturn Lecture on Monday, July 12th (Report to follow - Order DVD HERE). Click HERE to read the full report of this event, and see some of the images and movies of the ringed planet captured on the night. 2. Star-B-Q 2010 Astronomy Ireland's annual STAR-B-Q takes place this year in Roundwood, Co. Wicklow, on Saturday, September 4th. The Star-B-Q is Ireland's biggest annual telescope event and offers unparalleled dark skies just 30 minutes outside of Dublin. This year, why not come along and experience the wonders of the universe through Ireland's most powerful telescopes with your family and friends? Star-B-Q 2010 promises to be our biggest ever with an exciting night of guest speakers, an array of telescopes to look through, junior section for children, evening entertainment, and Astronomy Ireland Shop displays. All of this is included in the price of your ticket, as well as food and refreshments. For more information about STAR-B-Q 2010 click HERE or call us on (01) 847 0777. To read a report and see pictures from last year's Star-B-Q click HERE. EARLY BIRD SPECIAL OFFER Book before July 31st to receive 10euro off each adult ticket purchased. Full price tickets cost 39euro (adults) or 29euro (U16). Family and group rates are available on request. BOOK TICKETS 3. Higgs Boson Discovered? The particle physics community is buzzing following a blog post by a University of Padua physicist saying that he's been hearing rumours about a "light Higgs boson" discovery at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) in Batavia, Illinois. Tommaso Dorigo, a physicist and blogger posted a blog entitled 'Rumours About A Light Higgs' saying, "an experiment at the Tevatron is about to release some evidence of a light Higgs boson signal". The UK's Telegraph was quick to declare that the Tevatron "has found Higgs boson". However, science journal New Scientist was more cautious, speculating that there might be a big announcement coming soon. So, watch this space! To read more about Higgs boson and this piece of news click HERE. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe ) Our Online Telescope Shop

1 0

[Astronomy Ireland] Sun Watch and Telescope Workshop this Saturday
by AI Secretary 09 Jul '10

09 Jul '10

8 Months Membership FREE 2010 Events DVDs Shop Sun Watch and Telescope Workshop in Astronomy Ireland Shop Tomorrow SUN WATCH (1PM) On Saturday (July 10) from 1pm, Astronomy Ireland will host a Sun Watch at our Shop in Dublin (www.astronomy.ie/map) where members of the public can observe the Sun, our nearest star. Using special filters, you will be able to view the disk of the Sun close up, revealing many fascinating features on the surface such as sunspots bigger than our own planet Earth! Sunspots are regions on the Sun that are relatively cooler and darker than the surrounding material. They are linked to magnetic activity, and sometimes these regions can 'explode', sending millions of tonnes of material through space towards Earth, causing spectacular aurorae, or Northern Lights. Get to see an active region which is emerging over the Sun's North Eastern limb. This active region appears to be the remains of the sunspot which was observed by members of the public at our Sun Watch last Saturday, July 3rd. ***WARNING *** Please note that looking at the Sun is extremely dangerous and can cause instant and permanent blindness. Only observe the Sun under the guidance of professionals with proper safety equipment. TELESCOPE WORKSHOP (10AM - 5:30PM) Are you curious about how to use a telescope? Then you've come to the right place! As well as our Sun Watch this Saturday, why not come along and get some expert advice on how to set up your equipment, when to observe and how to find certain things in the night sky. Pay a visit to Astronomy Ireland Shop this Saturday, anytime between 10am and 5:30pm, for a walk through setting up your telescope and locating celestial objects using your piece of equipment. For more information about both of these events click HERE. IRISH INDEPENDENT CORRECTION The Irish Independent hopes to run the item on our AMAZING SATURN LECTURE in Saturday's edition (July 10) and not Monday's edition (July 12) as we stated in our email yesterday! Watch out for other newspapers covering it also (email us if you see any) and listen to Astronomy Ireland Chairman David Moore's piece on NEAR FM HERE. Click HERE to book your seats for this lecture now or order a DVD at www.astronomy.ie/dvd. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe ) Our Online Telescope Shop

1 0

[Astronomy Ireland] Amazing Saturn Lecture, Saturn Watch
by AI Secretary 08 Jul '10

08 Jul '10

8 Months Membership FREE 2010 Events DVDs Shop 1. Amazing Saturn Lecture 3 billion euro has been spent on sending back over half a million pictures of what is already considered the most beautiful planet in our Solar System. The Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn is perhaps one of the most successful exploration missions ever to be sent into space, and Irish woman Dr. Catriona Jackman now works with this spacecraft's team. We are flying Dr. Jackman in this Monday, July 12th, especially so she can give you a first hand account of the amazing discoveries made throughout this mission - crazy moons, hydrocarbon lakes, weird ring interactions, and more. The Irish Independent are planning to run a feature on this event on Monday, July 12th, which will include an interview with Dr. Jackman, as well as some of the amazing images the mission has produced to date. Don't forget to check it out and buy a copy. This is one lecture not to be missed and as with all our events, it is aimed at the general public. Monday's lecture promises to be a visual feast, so please come along and bring your family and friends with you for a great night out. Before the lecture why not take a look at some of the stunning images which Dr. Jackman will explain in detail on Monday? Click HERE to see the images on our website. 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. Jackman, other guests, and Astronomy Ireland staff and volunteers. The talk takes place at 8pm this Monday, July 12th, in the Fitzgerald Building (TCD). Tickets cost 7euro (5euro members) and can be booked online or by calling us on (01) 847 0777. For more information and to book your tickets click HERE. This lecture will also be available on DVD for everyone in Ireland. This can be pre-ordered online at www.astronomy.ie/dvd BOOK TICKETS ORDER DVD 2. Saturn Watch This Saturday To further celebrate this major lecture with an international speaker, there will be telescopes set up at the Astronomy Ireland Shop (click HERE for a map) this Saturday evening, July 10th, at 10pm. With Saturn low in the West, this will be your last chance to see the planet "live" until next year. Mars and Venus will be visible also, and this marks an excellent opportunity to view these two planets before all three - Saturn, Mars and Venus - have their conjunction at the end of this month (see sky diary in our magazine). For more information about this event click HERE or call us on (01) 847 0777. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe ) Our Online Telescope Shop

1 0

[Astronomy Ireland] Saturn Lecture, Telescope Workshop, Sun Watch, Events
by AI Secretary 06 Jul '10

06 Jul '10

20 Months Membership Offer 2010 Events DVDs Shop 1. Magnetic Saturn and Cassini-Huygens - Excellent Public Lecture At our July Public Lecture next Monday (July 12th) in Trinity College Dublin, Dr. Caitriona Jackman will present some of the most amazing images of the ringed planet Saturn to the general public. Dr. Jackman was awarded a degree in Applied Physics from the University of Limerick, and is now a researcher with the Cassini mission at Saturn. As the most expensive planetary orbiter ever it is sending back incredible images and making astounding discoveries, such as oceans of liquid methane on Titan, and vapour plumes on Enceladus that send water spray hundreds of kilometres into space. Dr. Jackman's work focuses on huge aurorae - also known as Northern Lights on Earth - that envelope the planet's poles. In her lecture next Monday, she will elaborate on some of the stunning discoveries of the Cassini mission. To see some of the spectacular pictures of Saturn sent back to Earth by Cassini click HERE. For more information about this event click HERE. This talk takes place at 8pm on Monday, July 3rd, in Trinity College Dublin. Tickets costs 7euro (5euro members rate) and can be purchased online by clicking the link below or over the phone by calling us on (01) 847 0777. There is a DVD available to pre-order online for anyone who cannot make it on the night. BOOK HERE ORDER DVD 2. Workshop: Make Your Telescope Work For You! Are you curious about how to use a telescope? Then you've come to the right place! Get some expert advice on how to set up your equipment, when to observe and how to find certain things in the night sky. Pay a visit to Astronomy Ireland Shop this Saturday, July 10th, anytime between 10am and 5:30pm for a walk through setting up your telescope and locating celestial objects using your telescope. For more information call the Shop on (01) 847 0777 or email sales(a)astronomy.ie. 3. Feeling Hot This Saturday?? This Saturday, July 10th, at 1pm, Astronomy Ireland will host a special event that will give the public an opportunity to view our nearest star, the Sun, close up with some of the most powerful telescopes in the country. The Sun Watch will take place at Astronomy Ireland's Shop in Butterly Business Park in Artane, Dublin 5. For more information call the Shop on (01) 847 0777 or email sales(a)astronomy.ie. 4. Events July 10th - Sun Watch (Astronomy Ireland Headquarters) Until July 9th - ISS Visible in Irish Skies (Nationwide) July 12th - Magnetic Saturn and the Cassini-Huygens Mission (Trinity College Dublin) Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe ) Our Online Telescope Shop

1 0

[Astronomy Ireland] Sun Watch, Comet McNaught, Events
by AI Secretary 01 Jul '10

01 Jul '10

20 Months Membership Offer 2010 Events DVDs Shop 1. Sun Watch This Saturday This Saturday, July 3rd, there will be a Sun Watch at the Astronomy Ireland Headquarters in Artane, Dublin 5 (click HERE for a map). The Sun is currently coming out of what's known as a 'century-class minimum', where there was very little activity on the surface of our parent star. Recently, however, activity has jumped greatly, and sunspots can appear on the Sun often on a daily basis! Using special equipment from our shop, guests will be able to view the disk of the Sun close up, revealing sunspots bigger than our own planet! Sunspots are regions on the Sun that are relatively cooler and darker than the surrounding material. They are linked to magnetic activity, and sometimes these regions can 'explode', sending millions of tonnes of material through space towards Earth, causing spectacular aurora, or Northern Lights. The Sun Watch takes place this Saturday, July 3rd, at 1pm. This is a free event open to all members of the public. For more information visit www.astronomy.ie or call us on (01) 847 0777. WARNING Looking directly at the Sun is extremely dangerous and can cause instant and permanent blindness. Only observe the Sun under the guidance of professionals with proper safety equipment. 2. Comet McNaught in A&S Magazine The July issue of 'Astronomy & Space' magazine covers the exciting news of comet McNaught with a full map to allow comet hunters follow its progress. The comet is visible in Irish skies for another few nights, so get out, get observing and send your reports to observe(a)astronomy.ie. In the next issue of the magazine, we will investigate whether the comet was a spectacular as was hoped by the astronomy community in Ireland. The August issue of 'Astronomy & Space' magazine, due to be distributed to members in the coming weeks, will feature an excellent article on Comet McNaught, as well as including some of your photographs and observations of the comet. COMET SPECIAL If you would like to receive a copy of the July and August issues of the magazine why not sign up for our special offer and receive 8 FREE MAGAZINES! As 2010 marks our 20th anniversary we have a very special membership offer - 20 months for the price of 12. This means that for just 48euro you will get 20 magazines, one delivered to your door each month, as well as having all the members benefits for the next 20 months. To sign up for this offer and receive the July and August issues of the magazine featuring articles on Comet McNaught visit www.astronomy.ie/offer. 3. Events July 3rd - Sun Watch (Astronomy Ireland Headquarters) Until July 9th - ISS Visible in Irish Skies (Nationwide) July 12th - Magnetic Saturn and the Cassini-Huygens Mission (Trinity College Dublin) Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe ) Our Online Telescope Shop

1 0