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.
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 Třemešek 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.
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
