1. Lecture Report & DVD

On Monday, December 14, Astronomy Ireland's Christmas Lecture was presented by Professor Tim de Zeeuw, Director-General of the European Southern Observatory (ESO). During the lecture, Prof. de Zeeuw captivated guests with details of the biggest and most technologically advanced telescopes in the world, in particular the flagship facility of ESO - the Very Large Telescope (VLT). Prof. de Zeeuw went on to describe the proposed European Extremely Large Telescope which will have the ability to make detailed observations of habitable planets around other stars, black holes, and the beginning of the Universe itself.

After the lecture, the annual Astronomy Ireland Christmas gathering was held in The Lombard, where guests were able to mingle with Prof. de Zeeuw and Astronomy Ireland staff, volunteers and members alike. To read the full report of the evening click HERE.

For anyone who couldn't make it to this gripping lecture on Monday night, there is a DVD available to order online. To order your copy today click the link below.

ORDER DVD HERE

2. Winter Solstice

Don't forget, the Winter Solstice occurs this Monday, December 21st, and Astronomy Ireland will be meeting in Sean Moore Park, Sandymount, at 7:30am to witness the Sun rising. The James Joyce Monument in the Park is aligned with the rising Sun, echoing the ancient alignment at Newgrange -one of the oldest observatories in the world, which is perfectly aligned with the Winter Solstice Sunrise.

Not only this, but Saturn will also be visible close to the Sun on Monday morning, so please join us in Sean Moore Park to see the famous ringed planet, and witness this amazing tribute to ancient astronomy. For more information click HERE or call us on (01) 847 0777.

3. Fireball

Investigations continue into the fireball seen over Ireland last Monday, December 14 at around 7:40am. Although we have received over 200 reports to date, in 1999 when predicting the course of a meteorite subsequently found in Carlow, we received over 400 reports which helped us achieve this. We are urging you report your sighting to us by filling out a Fireball Report form HERE, and please ask friends who saw it to do likewise.

There has been a huge amount of media interest surrounding the fireball since we started receiving reports on Monday. You can hear several radio interviews on the subject with Astronomy Ireland Chairman, David Moore, by going to www.astronomy.ie/audio .

EVENING CLASSES: Beginning again on February 3, 2010, Astronomy Ireland's ever-popular Evening Classes are the perfect Christmas present for anyone interested in taking up Astronomy in the new year. The topics will give the student a good grounding in the night sky, the Sun, stars and planets, galaxies, telescopes, and much more. The Classes are aimed for the complete beginner, and at only €180 (course fee includes membership to Astronomy Ireland) they're a great gift for a friend who wants to learn more about the wonders of the Universe. For more information or to sign-up a friend or family member click HERE.

SEASON TICKET: Why not give a little extra, and include a season lecture ticket along with their gift membership? For only €100 your loved one will not only get Astronomy & Space delivered to their door each month, but will get a special ticket for entry to all of our monthly lectures, or a DVD of each of the lectures. Remember, as it's the International Year of Astronomy (IYA), that means that your friend will get 15 magazines and 15 lectures or DVDs! To buy a season ticket with membership, click HERE.

MEMBERSHIP: This year, 2009, marks the UN declared International Year of Astronomy (IYA) and to celebrate this Astronomy Ireland are running a special offer on membership - giving you 15 months for the price of 12. That's THREE FREE MAGAZINES for a friend or family member when you give them a gift membership for Christmas. For more information click HERE.