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No doubt the Budget will feature in the programme and we have already asked the nation's professional researchers what they thought. While science funding (e.g. SFI) have not been cut there is concern over the third level registration charges being increased thereby putting students off university courses and some detail is yet to be confirmed. Ireland had hoped to become a member of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) but at an initial cost of 15 million euro this seems unlikely now.

Astronomy Ireland is expanding its activities to lobby for a 'Science Culture' in Ireland. This will be particularly important if the government's plans to move to a 'Knowledge Economy' are to be realised, especially at a time where the number of young people studying science and technology is decreasing.

When the world economy picks up we need to have a vibrant scientific community, a plethora of science graduates and a society that appreciates science, in much the same way as Ireland has a strong Arts and Science Culture. Astronomy is the best subject to champion this cause with the general public and your society will play a major role in the coming years.

Do you agree this is the most important mission Astronomy Ireland could undertake? If so, help us and get involved. Start by tuning in tonight. If you miss the show, we hope to have an MP3 on www.astronomy.ie/audio by the next day. And keep reading these emails.

Astronomy Ireland's November Public Lecture (and DVD) takes place on Monday 10 November in the Physics Building, Trinity College Dublin at 8pm. The talk is entitled "Smoking Stars" and will be given by Dr. Simon Jeffrey of Armagh Observatory. In this lecture he will be talking about his research and new findings and the giant leap forward in the last few years in our understanding of how stellar systems work.

3. Robinson Lecture 2008
The ninth Robinson Lecture will be presented on Thursday 20th November 2008 in The Armagh City Hotel, 2 Friary Road, Armagh by Professor Peter W.J.L. Brand FRSE, of the Institute of Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh. The lecture will begin at 8.00 pm and is scheduled to end at 9.00 pm, followed by light refreshments. The title of Professor Brand's lecture is: GOD AND THE UNIVERSE and admission is free but if you would like to attend the Lecture, please write, telephone or send an e-mail to: Mrs Aileen McKee, Armagh Observatory, College Hill, Armagh, BT61 9DG; Tel: 028-3752-2928; Fax: 028-3752-7174; e-mail: ambn@arm.ac.uk

Our 19th annual space and telescope exhibition takes place during Science Week on Saturday 8th November in the superb new Science Gallery at Trinity College Dublin. We will have incredible displays and a huge range of telescopes on display. There are also major Public Lectures organised already for the Science Gallery's incredible lecture theatre: Discovering Asteroids From Ireland (Dave McDonald, Ireland's only living asteroid discoverer), How China Will Beat America to the Moon and The Wrath of Ra! Further details in a future email and on www.astronomy.ie/astroexpo08.html so make your travel plans now as this is the annual gathering of all our members and an event not to be missed.

5. Become A Celestron Dealer for Astronomy Ireland

Do you own, run or work for a Shop anywhere in Ireland? If so, would you like to sell the prestigious line of Celestron telescopes? We are now distributing telescopes to the trade and any Shop can become a Celestron dealer by contacting Lar Keogh at Astronomy Ireland on (01) 847 0777.

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