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

[Astronomy Ireland] Atomic Energy Authority Lecture, International Space Station, The Sky at Night
by AI Secretary 07 Aug '13

07 Aug '13

<http://astronomy.ie/norway/> Norway Aurora Cruise <http://www.astronomy.ie/sub/index.html> Membership <http://www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.php> DVD 1. CEO of UK Atomic Energy Authority to Give Public Lecture Nuclear fusion has become something of the Holy Grail in modern energy. With nuclear fusion, we will be able to end our reliance on fossil fuels, heralding a new age of cheap, clean energy. So what does this have to do with astronomy? The Sun - like other stars - is powered by a vast nuclear engine at its core, in which hydrogen atoms are fused together to form helium. This process releases huge amounts of energy in the form of heat and light. In turn, this heat and light energises gas and material streaming from the Sun, forming giant plasma fields in space. The core of a nuclear fusion reactor on Earth works by generating highly-energised plasmas in order to trigger a reaction. By studying these plasmas in our reactors, we can learn about how the Sun and its plasma fields work. Professor Steve Cowley is the CEO of the UK Atomic Energy Authority, which operates the world's biggest nuclear fusion research facility in Oxfordshire. Prof Cowley will deliver Astronomy Ireland's Public Lecture in Trinity College Dublin on August 12th. Stellar Astrophysics on Earth takes place in Trinity College Dublin on Monday, August 12th, at 8pm. To book tickets or order DVDs, please click: <http://astronomy.ie/lecture201307.php> BOOK HERE 2. The International Space Station The biggest and most expensive spacecraft ever put in orbit, the International Space Station (ISS), is visible in our evening skies, and will continue to be visible until August 21st. Each afternoon Astronomy Ireland will publish the times the ISS will be visible at www.astronomy.ie/iss and you can also receive daily reminders of this time by texting the word SPACE to 57003 (subscription service; one message will be sent each day the ISS is visible and it costs €1 per message received). 3. BBC The Sky at Night Exploring Mars: As the spacecraft Mars Express celebrates a decade at the red planet, Chris Lintott and Lucie Green pick out some of the highlights, including the 'face of Mars'. TSAN AUGUST 2013 Sun Aug. 04 at 11:50pm BBC 1 Northern Ireland Sun Aug. 04 at 11:50pm BBC One HD Wed Aug. 07 at 07:30pm BBC FOUR Thu Aug. 08 at 02:00am BBC FOUR Sat Aug. 10 at 11:45am BBC 2 Northern Ireland Sat Aug. 10 at 11:45am BBC Two HD Sun Aug. 11 at 12:45am 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 <http://lists.redbrick.dcu.ie/mailman/listinfo/astronomy> ) _____ No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.2904 / Virus Database: 3209/6545 - Release Date: 08/02/13

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[Astronomy Ireland] Volunteers Needed Friday and Saturday, RTE Radio One
by AI Secretary 01 Aug '13

01 Aug '13

Aurora Trip Membership DVD 1. Volunteers Needed Friday and Saturday Astronomy Ireland is moving from its old premises in Swords to a new premises in Blanchardstown. If you are available in the next two days from Friday morning to Saturday afternoon, please get in touch immediately. Reply to this email or call (01) 890 11 11 in the morning. We need volunteers to pack boxes and load them onto a truck on Friday, noon-6pm, and possibly Saturday from 10am. Thanks to all the volunteers who have helped in the past, and if you think you can help in the future as we grow the society, please let us know. David Moore Chairman of Astronomy Ireland 2. Our Regular Astronomy Spot on RTE Radio One's Flagship Today Show In his regular roundup David Moore of Astronomy Ireland will feature on RTE's Today show (with Miles Dungan, who is standing in for Pat Kenny over the summer) on Bank Holiday Monday, August 5th, to talk about all things astronomy and the latest news in space. David was invited on to the show to talk about topics such as what planets to see in the sky, the possible super comet coming later this year, and much more! A full list of topics will be posted on our website over the weekend. Listen in between 10am and noon on RTE Radio One. If you miss the show on Monday, we expect to have a recording of the show on our website soon after at www.astronomy.ie/audio Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular astronomy club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe )

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[Astronomy Ireland] Aurora Cruise Deadline Extended -- Major Guest Speaker Announced
by AI Secretary 01 Aug '13

01 Aug '13

Aurora Trip Membership DVD Aurora Cruise Deadline Extended Major Guest Speaker Announced: LEO ENRIGHT (Broadcaster, Author, Space Expert) Great news! Due to phenomenal demand, we are able to announce a major new speaker for our Norway Aurora Cruise in December! Not only that, but the deadline for booking has been extended by two weeks, to Friday, August 16th! We are delighted to announce none other than international broadcaster, news reporter, and former RTÉ space correspondent, Leo Enright, as our keynote speaker on what is promising to be the experience of a lifetime! Astronomy Ireland’s spectacular five-night Northern Lights Voyage departs on December 1st, 2013. 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. A series of talks will be delivered throughout the cruise by Leo Enright and David Moore, Chairman of Astronomy Ireland. These are Ireland's two best-known astronomy and space experts. Leo will talk about: Mountaineering on Mars - how Curiosity is exploring a mountain on Mars to find evidence of life Moonroving - a history of wheels on the Moon from 1970 to 2013 Space Hotels - an exclusive preview of Astronomy Ireland 2033 cruise to watch the northern lights - from the Bigelow Space Hotel! David will talk about: Comet ISON - possibly one of the most spectacular comets you will ever see arrives in our skies in December The Universe - a tour of space, exploring planets, stars, galaxies, and beyond! Solar Explosions - a visually stunning talk on the solar flares that cause displays of the northern lights On the first nightof the trip, David will give a tutorial on taking astrophotos. If there is interest, small workshops will be held in the weeks before the cruise to rehearse using your camera on the night sky. 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 16th, 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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