This Monday, January 25, our 20th Anniversary Public Lecture - '400 Years of the Telescope' - will be given by none other than Professor Allan Chapman of Oxford University. The lecture is our first big event of 2010 and will be a platform for us to launch the celebrations for our 20th year, which will take place over the coming 12 months.

We are very lucky to have the opportunity to host this lecture delivered by Professor Chapman, a world famous speaker who is held in the highest regard by those involved in the field of Astronomy, from amateurs to academics alike.

"We are delighted that we are able to get him to deliver the New Year Lecture in our 20th anniversary year. Another event that will go down in astronomical history we hope!" David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland.

Professor Chapman is an excellent public speaker, notorious for his theatrical presentation style, with a vast knowledge of the history of astronomy. He has presented many TV programmes to date, notably the Channel 4 series 'Gods in the Sky' as well as appearing on BBC's 'The Sky at Night' regularly with Sir Patrick Moore.

For a taste of what's to come at Monday's Lecture, watch this clip of Professor Chapman talking to Sir Patrick Moore about ancient astronomy on BBC's 'The Sky At Night' programme HERE.