Tonight, September 21st, Jupiter will be at its closest to Earth until 2022. Jupiter is a fascinating sight to the naked eye and at the moment it is the brightest star like object in the sky. The planet Uranus is also making a unique appearance for the next week, as a dim star like object 0.8 degree (less than 2 Moon diameters) above Jupiter. Uranus will be barely visible to the naked eye, however it is an easy sight through binoculars or telescope. If you see it, especially with the naked eye, please email observe@astronomy.ie for our magazine report.

In celebration of the planet Jupiter, Astronomy Ireland are holding Nationwide Jupiter Watches, at locations around the country on Thursday, September 30th. We urge all of you to go to your nearest Watch and view this spectacular planet through some of Ireland's largest and most powerful telescopes which will be set up for your by our Branch Coordinators. This is an entirely free event and everyone is welcome to come along. Watches will begin at locations nationwide at 8pm. Bring friends!

For more information about Nationwide Moon and Mars Watch and to check the location of your nearest Watch click HERE. Alternatively email sec@astronomy.ie or call us on (01) 847 0777.

2. Astronomy Ireland Shop - Jupiter Offer

To mark the magnificence that is Jupiter which is blazing away in the night sky, the Astronomy Ireland Shop is running a special offer on the Celestron NexImage CCD Camera. For a limited time only, there is 10% off on the CCD camera, which is ideal for astro-imaging. For more details or to place your order, visit www.astronomy.ie/shop and see an image of Jupiter taken by this camera and one of our Celestron telescopes.

3. Public Lecture by E.S.A. Science Director

On Wednesday, 29th September Professor David Southwood, Director of the European Space Agency's Science and Robotic Exploration Programme will give a public lecture entitled 'Space Science in Europe: What's Ahead?'. This lecture will take place in Dublin Castle at 8pm. Tickets for this event are free, but places should be booked HERE.

4. Public Lecture & RIA/RAS/ASGI Conference

On September 23rd and 24th there will be a joint specialist two day discussion meeting of the Royal Irish Academy, the Royal Astronomical Society, and the Astronomical Science Group of Ireland, click HERE for more information. As part of this two day event, Professor Mike Lockwood FRS, Department of Meteorology, University of Reading, UK and Space Science and Technology Department, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, UK will give a talk entitled 'Solar Variability and Influences on Climate'. This lecture will take place on Thursday, September 23rd at 7pm in the Emmet Theatre, Trinity College, Dublin. For more information on this talk please click HERE Tickets for this event are free, but places should be booked online at www.ria.ie

We are looking for someone who attends this event to write a brief report for our magazine, please email editor@astronomy.ie if you are interested as our Editor will be abroad on business and this is a rare chance to hear world-leading astronomers talk in Ireland.