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.
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
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