1. "Star-B-Q" Special Offer Would you like to look through some of the biggest telescopes in Ireland at the wonders of the universe? Then come to our annual fund-raising barbecue under the stars called "Star-B-Q". We have a special rate for the thousands of you on this emailing list and we are asking in return that you get as many people to come with you as possible and they too will get the special rate! Star-B-Q is the biggest gathering of telescopes in Ireland every year when we invite the general public along to get amazing views of targets like the planet Saturn - see its rings, its cloud belts and its moons. Here's a picture taken through the type of telescope we will have at the event http://damianpeach.com/images/saturn/2005/2006_03_15rgb_1956ut.jpg. More pictures on the booking page below. We'll also show you galaxies, star clusters, gas clouds, maybe even a comet, in short "the wonders of the universe" through some of the biggest telescopes in Ireland from a very dark rural sky. Astronomy Ireland's Star-B-Q of 2007 will take place on the evening of Saturday 5 May at Roundwood GAA Club in Roundwood, Co. Wicklow. This is a magnificently dark location next to the highest village in Ireland, and those attending will get an un-paralleled view of the wonders of the cosmos through some of Ireland's biggest portable telescopes - including the 53 cm Millennium Telescope. Some of the most beautiful galaxies and star-clusters in the Northern Hemisphere, and planets Venus and Saturn will be on display. The evening will include several dynamic presentations, spear-headed by Astronomy Ireland Chairman David Moore's 'The Universe' slideshow. There will be a professionally catered barbecue and an enthusiastic audience including both astronomy amateurs and complete novices. We'll have a powerful laser to point out the stars and teach you the constellations. Bring your binoculars and we'll show you how to use them to discover hidden treasures in the night sky. The normal prices include all food, soft drinks, tea/coffee, telescope use, talks, and demonstrations, are are 40 euro for adults and 30 euro for under-16s, with all proceeds going to the society. However, if you book online, AND mention this email message in the 'How did you hear about the Star-B-Q' box, we will give you the adult tickets for only 30 euro! This offer must end at midnight on Sunday 29 April so ask as many friends and family and book now. Please book here as soon as possible so we can tell the caterer the numbers expected and don't miss Ireland's biggest annual astronomy event. Book Star-B-Q now at www.astronomy.ie/sbq 2. International Astronomical Youth Camp 2007 International Astronomical Youth Camp (IAYC) 2007 is looking for Irish participants. The camp is held every year at a different location in Europe, and in 2007 will be held at Tremesek in the Czech Republic between 29 July and 18 August. For over 40 years IAYC has been helping to develop scientific interest among young people, becoming a great intercultural learning environment and an international platform connecting young scientist from different countries. Normally, about 70 people between the ages of 16 and 24 participate, but it is now several years since there has been any Irish involvement. Past participants have created successful projects for European Union Contest for Young Scientists, and many have chosen to pursue a scientific career, currently either studying, lecturing or working in such well known scientific centres as Caltech, MIT, Cambridge, Oxford, Max-Planck-Institute, CERN, SO Garching, King's College in London and many others. Many are participating with success in prestigious competitions and campaigns such as the Student Parabolic Flight Campaign, sponsored by the European Space Agency. Those interested can find more information at www.iayc.org or can contact Balazs Dianiska at info@iayc.org 3. International Space Station near Saturn Just a reminder that the I.S.S. is visible as a very bright star-like object each evening for a few minutes. On board are 6 astronauts including the 5th space tourist in history, billionaire Microsoft WORD developer Charles Simonyi who paid 25 million dollars for his 10 days in space. He is due to return to Earth on Saturday and you can see I.S.S. every evening until Sunday inclusive. I.S.S. will pass near the planet Saturn (high in the South every evening this week) and if you are really lucky you can see I.S.S. pass in front of Saturn along a track that crosses Ireland every evening. We'll tell you the exact time to watch and where you will see I.S.S. pass in front of Saturn on our Newsline (updated by 12noon each day) 1550-111-442 (calls cost 95cent/minute). ASTRONOMY IRELAND - for telescopes and information call (01) 847 0777 www.astronomy.ie