1. LEINSTER AREA EVENING CLASSES:
Last chance to book for the beginners' Evening Classes in
Astronomy that begin on Wednesday Feb. 22.
Huge interest since David Moore (AI Chairman) went on the
Pat Kenny Radio Show earlier this month.
2. LEINSTER AREA ECLIPSE LECTURE:
Everyone is welcome to go to our major Public Lecture for
the last easy to get to eclipse until 2017.
No Total Eclipse of the Sun has been seen from Ireland
since 1724 and the next here is not until 2090 - so you will HAVE TO TRAVEL if
you want to see one.
So, what is it like, what are all the things to watch out
for on what many describe as the most spectacular event in nature, and just what
are eclipses all about?
Whether you are going on our Eclipse Trip to Turkey next
month, or not, you'll find this a fascinating lecture.
David Grennan, who writes the Sky Diary in our magazine
every month, will give the Eclipse Lecture on Monday Feb. 27 at 8pm in
D.C.U.
3. THINGS TO SEE
NATIONWIDE
Mars is next to the Pleiades star cluster
all this week. It won't be closer for another 32 years! You can see this with
the naked eye every evening high in the South, but binoculars give an even
better view
Saturn is next to the Beehive star
cluster over in the East soon after the Sun sets each evening, and high in the
South by midnight. Use binoculars to see the cluster to the left of Saturn.
Having two bright planets next to star clusters is a once in a lifetime sight!
Mercury is visible to the naked eye in
evening skies this week only. Look low in the West soon after sunset while the
sky is still bright with twilight. We had great views from the window of our
Shop this evening. Seamus Byron in Donegal had already reported seeing Mercury
on Monday also.
Jupiter and Venus are
visible in morning skies before sunrise. More details of all planets on view are
in our magazine every month: www.astronomy.ie/sub and also on our
Radio Show every Tuesday night live or download it the next morning at
www.astronomy.ie/radioshow.html
The International Space Station will be
visible every evening next week. Call 1550-111-442 for not only the times to see
it every evening starting Feb. 27 but also for details of where in Ireland to
see it pass in front of the Moon, Mars and Saturn on some of the evenings from
Feb. 27 to March 12th. (See background details of I.S.S. at www.astronomy.ie/iss.html
)
4. OUR SHOP:
For binoculars, telescope package deals, and advice please
call our Astronomy Shop staff on (01) 847 0777 Monday to Saturday and late night
Thursday and Friday.
Astronomy Ireland
Tel (01) 847
0777