Join Magazine Events DVDs Shop Star-B-Q "Dark Matter" "Moonshot" 1. Shuttle and Fuel Tank Extravaganza There is a very special sight in Irish skies over the coming days. The space shuttle Endeavour, due to launch on Saturday night (technically Sunday morning) at 12:39am our time, will be visible over Ireland approximately 18 mins after launch. Beneath it in the sky will be the fuel tank which detaches shortly after launch (when the fuel runs out) and falls back to Earth. The fuel tank should look orange in comparison to the shuttle. On this rare occasion, only from Ireland will it be possible to see the orbiter flying into space, and the fuel tank returning to Earth at the same time. This same spectacle was visible in May 2008 when the space shuttle Discovery passed over Ireland shortly after launch. To see a video of this, and what to expect on Saturday night click HERE. As if this isn't exciting enough, following the launch on July 12, there will be a space chase in the following 2 - 3 days, as the shuttle approaches the International Space Station (ISS). ISS is visible every night until July 23, passing over at 10:52pm on Thursday, July 9 and at 11:16pm on Friday, July 10. For more times and details of the space chase, there are predications on the internet, however if you would like to receive a reminder to your phone just a couple of hours before it passes, text the word SPACE to 57003. Each text costs ?1 and proceeds help us to promote science and astronomy in Ireland. If you see any of these rare sights please email observe@astronomy.ie. 2. 'Dark Matter' Lecture (and DVD) moved to larger venue! Due to the large number of bookings we have received for our Summer Public Lecture on July 13 - 'Dark Matter' by Prof. Gerry Gilmore - we have had to move to a larger venue in the Hamilton Building (TCD) to accommodate the growing audience. Gerry was Patrick Moore's special guest on last month's edition of BBC's Sky at Night, and his lecture promises to astonish and amaze guests. There will be a social reception in The Lombard (corner of Pearse St. and Westland Row) at 9:30pm following the lecture. We invite you all to join us for a chat and complimentary food. EVERYONE IN IRELAND: please order the DVD of this lecture if you cannot get to Dublin - Click HERE. 3. Events to book in July July 13 - 'Dark Matter' Lecture and DVD July 13 to 17 - 'Life of Galileo' Play by Dublin Lyric Players and Astronomy Ireland. July 23 - Apollo 40th Anniversary Lecture and DVD and book signing for ITV docu-drama. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )