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)