1. Comet Schwassman-Wachmann 3 ("SW3" for short!) has been seen by many of you with the naked eye from Ireland. A report will be in the Observers Log pages of the magazine so please send in any more sightings to observe@astronomy.ie The May issue of our magazine has a 2 page report, and diagrams of how to find this comet on pages 28 to 29. The comet reached about magnitude 5 as is whizzed past Earth last Friday just 7 million miles (11 million km) away - very close as comets go. It will be closest to the Sun on June 6 so it will not fade much in the next few days and it could undergo another of the several outbursts it has already had as its splits in to 100 pieces or so (though the 2 brightest fragments labelled "C" and "B" are all most of us are likely to see in binoculars or with the naked eye). This week the comet moves from Pegasus into Pisces as the diagram in the magazine for the shows (order A&S May issue at www.astronomy.ie/sub for 5euro including P&P and support Astronomy Ireland) 2. MASSIVE CLEARANCE SALE NOW ON Visit www.astronomy.ie for the list of the huge sale of telescopes, accessories, slide sets and more that starts this week. Everything MUST GO, as they say, and we are open to offers on every item - from the giant 16-inch telescope (which was just sold yesterday!) to the smallest slide set! If you can't access the website just reply to this email and we'll forward on the list. Or just call (01) 847 0777 or drop in www.astronomy.ie/map.html 3. BRIEFLY NOTED AIRS: Don't forget the A.I. Radio Show tonight and every Tuesday, now available nationwide on www.astronomy.ie (left hand menu "Radio Show"). Get AIRS going back 1 year too! LECTURES: A.I. Lectures available to all nationwide see www.astronomy.ie (left hand menu "Lecture Webcasts" or order the DVD version via "Lecture DVD") VIEWING: Mars is near Castor and Pollux; Saturn is nearing the Beehive; Jupiter has a new red spot; details in our magazine www.astronomy.ie/sub and on our Newsline this week, call 1550-111-442 NATIONAL EVENT: Book now for Star-B-Q August 26 at the introductory rate (until July 31 only!) at www.astronomy.ie/sbqaug06.html - Ireland's BIGGEST annual telescope showcase -------------------------------------------- Astronomy Ireland (01) 847 0777 VISIT US AT IRELAND'S BIGGEST TELESCOPE SHOWROOM MON.-SAT. TO 9am-6pm (and until 9pm Thurs) ( FREE delivery nationwide. FREE advice. 01-847 0777 Mon-Sat incl)