July 2013 - astronomy@lists.redbrick.dcu.ie

[Astronomy Ireland] August Issue of Astronomy Ireland On Sale
by AI Secretary 31 Jul '13

31 Jul '13

August Issue of Astronomy Ireland On Sale In the August issue of Astronomy Ireland magazine, we have a very special interview with Brian May, one of rocks most talented guitarists, from the band Queen. Irish Times journalist, Ronan McGreevy, talks to him about his love of music and the night sky. In our news section, we have the exciting pictures from the European Space Expo which landed in Dublin in June. The Expo was brought to Trinity College thanks to Professor Peter Gallagher and his team. The event broke all attendance records, with about 30,000 people enjoying the free event. Also in the news this month is the story of asteroid 1998 QE2, and an image taken by David Moore, Chairman of Astronomy Ireland. This large 3km asteroid, sailed by Earth at a safe distance of 3.6 million miles, but would have caused untold damage had it hit us. In our Sky Diary there is the chance to see Jupiter near the Moon twice in the month and Saturn near the Moon too. A special highlight is the annual Perseid meteor shower. This is one of the best meteor showers to observe, producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. Finally, not to be missed, Ireland’s annual Star-B-Q takes place on Saturday, August 31st in Roundwood, Co. Wicklow. This event is a must for all lovers of astronomy and the great outdoors. You can read about all these features, stories and much more in our August issue of the magazine. Order the magazine today for only €5 including P&P HERE Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular astronomy club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Star-B-Q Special Offer
by AI Secretary 29 Jul '13

29 Jul '13

Star-B-Q Special Offer The lecture programme for Star-B-Q 2013 has been finalised. With 2013 being the year of solar maximum we are delighted to announce that Ireland's leading solar photographer Dave Gradwell will give the keynote talk all about the Sun, northern lights, and sunspots, which will be abundant this year. Astronomy Ireland Chairman David Moore will give his Whistlestop Tour of the Universe to open the proceedings. Dr Brian Espey has been undertaking the first Irish study of light pollution, and he will reveal his results in his talk at Star-B-Q. Then, we will have a massive array of telescopes under an amazing dark sky, a professional caterer, and more to make Star-B-Q Ireland's leading annual telescope gathering. BANK HOLIDAY OFFER If you book tickets before noon on Tuesday, August 6th, you can qualify for a €10 discount off all adult tickets. To avail of this, mention BANK HOLIDAY OFFER in our online booking form at www.astronomy.ie/sbq, or call us on (01) 890 11 11. This is Ireland's biggest annual astronomy event, and we can cater for up to 1,000 people, so please get all your family and friends to come along and help us raise funds for Astronomy Ireland. Book now at ASTRONOMY.IE/SBQ Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular astronomy club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Last Week to Book Our Norway Aurora Cruise!
by AI Secretary 26 Jul '13

26 Jul '13

Aurora Trip Membership DVD Hunt The Northern Lights With Astronomy Ireland There’s still time to book a place on Astronomy Ireland’s spectacular five-night Northern Lights Voyage departing on December 1st, 2013. Closing date for bookings is August 2nd. This is an amazing trip for the general public and you don’t have to be an astronomy expert to enjoy the tour! This will be our third trip to see the Northern Lights as these tours have proved very popular. Organised in conjunction with Norway specialist, Project Travel, the trip along Norway’s coast on board Hurtigruten’s MS Nordlys takes you well above the Arctic Circle giving the best chance of seeing the spectacular Aurora Borealis. What’s more, it’s all in the company of two special guest speakers, including David Moore, Chairman of Astronomy Ireland and editor of our magazine. "I have seen the Northern Lights from Ireland, but then I saw them from inside the Arctic Circle on our previous trips," said David. "It was the most spectacular thing I have ever seen! It was even better than the total solar eclipse that Astronomy Ireland saw in Turkey in 2006 - and people say a total solar eclipse is the most spectacular sight in nature, which I used to agree with until I went to Norway! I simply cannot wait to visit Norway again for this cruise." The package includes flights, three nights full board voyage and two nights in the beautiful and historical city of Tromsø. An cabin costs €1879 per person sharing with a single supplement of €299 per person. Book your place by August 2nd, 2013. Full details on www.astronomy.ie/norway or call Project Travel on (01) 210 8391 for the cruise of a lifetime Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular astronomy club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Summer School Discount, Astronomy Play, August Magazine 5euro
by AI Secretary 23 Jul '13

23 Jul '13

Summer School Membership DVD 1. Summer School Late Enrolment Reminder - Get 15% Off Understanding the Universe is a brand new set of astronomy classes that will help stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts understand how the Universe works. The Summer School began last week in Dublin, but you can still sign up! Just go to: www.astronomy.ie/summerschool and sign up as normal or call us on (01) 890 11 11. Because you will have missed the first class, you will automatically get a 15% discount. Understanding the Universe will introduce you to concepts in physics and technology to help you understand what goes on inside stars to make them shine, how we can observe the Universe using x-rays and radio waves, how robotics and space travel have opened up new ways for us to study space, and how the Universe itself came into being. The new course will take place in Trinity College Dublin, and the next class takes place tomorrow, July 24th. With the discount, the course fee is only €153 which will include membership to Astronomy Ireland (€110 for people who are already members). For more information and enrolment, please visit www.astronomy.ie/summerschool and claim your 15% discount, so be sure to enrol today! 2. Stella: A Play About Women, Their Men, and Astronomy Science has historically been a man's domain and yet look closely at the archive and you'll find a silent army of intelligent, dedicated women researching and discovering. This is a play about Time, Space, Curiosity and Passion: two women astronomers, Jessica Bell from the 21st Century and Caroline Herschel from the 18th Century look up at the same night sky and find themselves colliding in their search for understanding. Caroline longs for a family and home of her own; Jess contemplates the prospect of losing both. Each woman can precisely map her position in the universe yet she struggles to find her place in the world. Following the performance on Friday, July 26th, a post-show discussion will take place with Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell, the discoverer of pulsars and one of the world's best-known astronomers. The play takes place in the Smock Alley Theatre on July 26th at 7:30pm. A lunchtime show will also take place on Saturday, July 27th at 1:30pm. For more information and tickets, please click HERE. 3. August Issue of Astronomy Ireland Out Now - €5 (Inc P&P) The new issue of Astronomy Ireland magazine is now available, and is packed full of news about space and astronomy from Ireland and around the world. Some of this month's top stories include the recent European Space Expo that took place in Trinity College Dublin which was opened by video message by astronaut Chris Hadfield, and a special interview with Dr Brian May - astronomer and musician - by Astronomy Ireland member and Irish Times journalist Ronan McGreevy. Also included is our famous Sky Diary, which will give you all the highlights to see in the night sky. To sign up to Astronomy Ireland and get our magazine delivered to your day each month, please visit www.astronomy.ie/join You can order a single issue for €5 (including postage) and support our goal to promote interest in astronomy in Ireland. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular astronomy club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe )

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[Astronomy Ireland] It's Not Too Late to Enrol on Summer School!
by AI Secretary 18 Jul '13

18 Jul '13

Summer School Membership DVD It's Not Too Late to Enrol on Summer School! Understanding the Universe is a brand new set of astronomy classes that will help stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts understand how the Universe works. The Summer School began last night in Dublin, but you can still sign up! Just go to www.astronomy.ie/summerschool and sign up as normal, or call us on (01) 890 11 11. Because you will have missed the first class, you will automatically get a 15% discount. Understanding the Universe will introduce you to concepts in physics and technology to help you understand what goes on inside stars to make them shine, how we can observe the Universe using x-rays and radio waves, how robotics and space travel have opened up new ways for us to study space, and how the Universe itself came into being. The new course will take place in Trinity College Dublin, and the next class takes place on July 24th. With the discount, the course fee is only €153 which will include membership to Astronomy Ireland (€110 for people who are already members). For more information and enrolment, please visit www.astronomy.ie/summerschool. Don't forget that you will also get a 15% discount, so be sure to enrol today! Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular astronomy club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Volunteers, Van, Storage. Aurora & Events
by AI Secretary 06 Jul '13

06 Jul '13

1) We need help on Sunday (July 7) packing and moving items from our premises in Swords into a large container outside. - If you can spare any time at all from 10am to 10pm please text or call: David on 086 081 99 86 - Also, do you have use of a van or truck for the future? - Do you have an unused garage, shed, etc where old material can be stored temporarily? 2) Aurora & Events: - Northern Lights possible tonight. observe(a)astronomy.ie if seen! - Monday July 8th: Summer Public Lecture (major event) - Wednesday July 17th: Summer School (brand new!) - Saturday August 31st: Star-B-Q, Ireland's biggest annual telescope party All welcome! 3) Please join Astronomy Ireland at www.astronomy.ie/join if you do not already get our magazine and support our goals. Thank you.

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[Astronomy Ireland] 'Are We Alone?', The Sky at Night
by AI Secretary 05 Jul '13

05 Jul '13

Summer School Membership DVD 1. Summer Public Lecture: Are We Alone? With the recent news that three new habitable planets have been found around a single star (see HERE), our special Summer Public Lecture couldn't have been better timed! No expense is being spared flying in a world expert, Dr Robin Catchpole, from Cambridge University in the UK. In this latest discovery, the habitable zone of a nearby star is filled to the brim with planets that could support alien life. Three planets are in the star's "Goldilocks Zone" - the temperature region around the star where liquid water - and also life - could exist. This makes us wonder if there are planets out there that are home to intelligent civilisations. Our Summer Public Lecture on Monday, July 8th, will be delivered by an international speaker, Dr Robin Catchpole of Cambridge University, who is an expert on exoplanets and will explore the possibility of alien life existing elsewhere in our galaxy, and whether humankind will ever get to meet it. LECTURE SPEAKER ON NATIONAL RADIO Dr Catchpole will feature on a number of radio interviews around the country on Monday to talk about his lecture and his fascinating research into extraterrestrial life: a.. Shaun Doherty Show, Highland Radio b.. The Mooney Show, RTE Radio One c.. The Right Hook, Newstalk These interviews will be broadcast throughout the day, but if you miss any of them, we will put them online at www.astronomy.ie/audio soon after! This lecture is aimed at the general public, and we are asking all of you to bring their family and friends. Are We Alone? takes place in Trinity College Dublin on Monday, July 8th, at 8pm. To book tickets or order DVDs, please click: BOOK HERE 2. BBC's The Sky at Night Solstice: The team join in the solstice revelry at Stonehenge and launch the Moore Moon Marathon. TSAN JUNE 2013 Sun July 07 at 11:40pm BBC 1 Northern Ireland Thu July 11 at 07:30pm BBC Four Fri July 12 at 02:00am BBC Four Sat July 13 at 08:40am BBC 2 Northern Ireland Sun July 14 at 01:05am BBC Four Note that the BBC1 and BBC2 programmes are shorter versions (20 minutes). Try to watch BBC FOUR transmissions (30 minutes) All of the Sky At Night team have now given public lectures to Astronomy Ireland, all of which you can get on DVD by post at www.astronomy.ie/dvd Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular astronomy club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe )

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[Astronomy Ireland] 'Are We Alone?', Pat Kenny Show, Summer School
by AI Secretary 03 Jul '13

03 Jul '13

Summer School Membership DVD 1. Summer Public Lecture: Are We Alone? Following RTE's Nine News on Tuesday of last week (see HERE) our special Summer Public Lecture couldn't have been better timed! No expense is being spared flying in a world expert, Dr Robin Catchpole, from Cambridge University in the UK. In this latest discovery, the habitable zone of a nearby star is filled to the brim with planets that could support alien life. Three planets are in the star's "Goldilocks Zone" - the temperature region around the star where liquid water - and also life - could exist. This makes us wonder if there are planets out there that are home to intelligent civilisations. Our Summer Public Lecture on Monday, July 8th, will be delivered by an international speaker who is an expert on exoplanets and will explore the possibility of alien life existing elsewhere in our galaxy, and whether humankind will ever get to meet it. This lecture is aimed at the general public, and we are asking all of you to bring their family and friends. Are We Alone? takes place in Trinity College Dublin on Monday, July 8th, at 8pm. To book tickets or order DVDs, please click: BOOK HERE 2. Our Regular Astronomy Spot on RTE Radio In his regular roundup David Moore of Astronomy Ireland featured on RTE's Today with Pat Kenny on Monday morning to talk about all things astronomy and the latest news in space. David was invited on to the show to talk about hot topics such as Chris Hadfield and his links to Ireland, the recent Supermoon, new alien planets that may harbour life, and Astronomy Ireland's brand new set of Evening Classes, which will cover everything you wanted to know about the Universe! If you missed the show on Monday, you can listen back to the interview (and lots more) at www.astronomy.ie/audio 3. Astronomy Summer School Understanding the Universe is a brand new set of astronomy classes that featured on Astronomy Ireland's recent appearance on Today with Pat Kenny on RTE. The classes will help stargazers and astronomy enthusiasts understand how the Universe works. Designed for people who know their way around the sky, the course will give students a chance to learn about modern observing techniques, how radio telescopes work, modern cosmology, star formation and structure, space exploration, and lots more! Understanding the Universe will introduce you to concepts in physics and technology to help you understand what goes on inside stars to make them shine, how we can observe the Universe using x-rays and radio waves, how robotics and space travel have opened up new ways for us to study space, and how the Universe itself came into being. The new course will take place in Trinity College Dublin, and commences on July 17th. It will take place each Wednesday over eight weeks. The course fee is €180 which will include membership to Astronomy Ireland (€130 for people who are already members). For more information and enrolment, please visit www.astronomy.ie/summerschool Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular astronomy club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe )

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