1. The aurora we alerted you to last weekend was
seen from other parts of the world where it was described "as the best show I
have ever seen" even by those who have seen past strong displays. It seems bad
weather over Ireland spoiled our views as we received no reports of sightings at
all. If you did get a break in the clouds Saturday (or more likely Sunday) night
please email observe@astronomy.ie as
usual.
2. On Thursday night (May 19) the observers'
highlight of the month takes place when Jupiter will be spectacularly close to
the Moon.
See David Grennan's write up about the event in the Sky
Diary pages of the May issue of our magazine, and the diagram he produced on
page 27.
If you see this conjunction please email observe@astronomy.ie and send in any
photos you get, for publication.
3. Dr Simon Jeffrey gave an excellent talk (and demo
and sound effects!) on "Looking Inside the Stars" on May 9 for those in the
Leinster area.
This talk has now been put online at www.astronomy.ie (click "Lecture Webcasts" in
the side menu at the left and download from there).
Given the limits of the website and bandwidth this talk
has to be highly compressed (28MB) but it looks and sounds
reasonable.
If you want a broadcast quality DVD of the talk that you
can keep the ordering details for this are on the website also (DVD is 5euro,
plus 5euro P&P). Duration 1.5 hours.
4. Also now online is last night's Astronomy Ireland
Radio Show (AIRS) with all the latest news and details of that Jupiter-Moon
conjunction.
Download the show at www.astronomy.ie (click on "Radio Show"
on the menu at the left of the page). The half hour show is compressed to
3MB.
Always tune in 'live' every Tuesday at 8pm if you live in
the Leinster area to 103.2 FM to hear the latest news from around the universe
with Ben Emmett and guests!
5. Our 1550-111-442 telephone Newsline has been updated
also with details of the Jupiter-Moon conjunction and more. Call it every Monday
for a brand new weekly message. (In
N.Ireland call 09 001 88 1950).
- David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland
Tel (01) 847 0777
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