1.  New Year Public Lecture Report

Firstly, apologies for the email we sent out earlier this week regarding the New Year Lecture DVD, a change of title at the last minute meant the email was sent out with a first line that was out of context.

The correct first line should have been ' Our New Year Lecture turned out to be one of our most successful lectures ever, with nearly 300 people filling the largest lecture hall in Trinity College to listen to Professor John Zarnecki, probably the most famous space scientist in the world.'

 

Our New Year Lecture was a huge success and a report and pictures from the night can now be found at our website www.astronomy.ie/newyearlec09rep.html

A DVD of this lecture can be purchased at www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html

 

 
2.  Irish Speakers Wanted for TG4
Astronomy Ireland have been asked to send a representative to appear on the children's television show "Cúla 4" on TG4 on Monday, January 19th. The show is aimed at 8-12 year olds. They will run a competition all next week for the viewers with an astronomy emphasis and Astronomy Ireland have sponsored a great prize of a high quality Celestron beginner's telescope for the lucky winner. The astronomy themed show is a joint venture between Astronomy Ireland and TG4 to support the Irish language and children's education.

We need YOUR help to promote a science culture to Ireland's youth! As this piece will be on an Irish-language TV show, we are looking for a fluent Irish speaker based in Co Galway (particularly around Galway City) to go on the air and represent the largest astronomy club in the world! So, if you are a fluent Irish speaker and have an interest in astronomy and are familiar with Astronomy Ireland's work, please reply to this soon, or call us on (01) 847 0777. We will pass your details on to TG4. If you are not based in Galway but would like to appear on the show, TG4 have allocated a small travel allowance to get you there and back on the day.
 

3.  Galway Astronomy Festival
The Galway Astronomy Festival 2009 takes place in the Westwood House Hotel, Galway on the weekend of January 30-31. Last year Astronomy Ireland set up a stand at the Festival and this year we hope to do the same. Details about the event can be found here www.galwayastronomyclub.ie/gaf2009.html
 
 
4.  Beginners Evening Classes
Our  popular Beginner's Evening Classes will commence on January 28th nationwide. A list of venues around the country can be found at www.astronomy.ie/class.
 
The classes run nationwide over 8 weeks and cover a huge range of topics from the history of astronomy, telescopes, cosmology and much more. They are perfect for people of all ages and no maths skills are required.
 
Your booking can include membership to our society and our magazine Astronomy & Space, and existing members can avail of a discounted rate.
Book your place at www.astronomy.ie/class or call our office at (01) 847 0777.
 
 
5.  Astronomy Exhibits
The National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar will run two special events this month as part of the temporary exhibition, Planet Earth: Our Place in Space, which was officially opened by our Chairman David Moore last year.

 

Jan 18th 2pm-5pm - 'Rocks from Space - Hold them in your hands!'

This event will give adults and children (over 7) the opportunity of a lifetime, to hold meteorites and see them through a microscope with the Museum's Geologist, Matthew Parkes.

 

January 30 2pm-5pm - Astronomy Ireland Venus - Moon Watch

Astronomy Ireland are holding watches all around the country with high powered telescopes to see Venus blazing next to the Moon. All are welcome and more information can be found at our website.

 
 
6.  Venus still the "Christmas Star" (and video)
The planet Venus came to prominence over the Christmas period and now it dominates the evening sky, blazing in the south from sunset until about 9pm. We have 2 viewing events planned before it vanishes from view in March. The first is on January 30th when it will be spectacularly close to the Moon. The second is on February 27 when Venus again is very close to the Moon. If you have a telescope and you want to set it up in your area to celebrate this, the International Year of Astronomy, then please reply to this email. Details of both Venus Watches (and more) are on our events page: www.astronomy.ie/events
 
If you want to order the video "The Christmas Star" which explains the fascinating astronomical detective story behind the Star of Bethlehem Mystery please click here www.astronomy.ie/christmasstar.html
Note this is the only place in the world that you can now order this video!
 

7.  What to see:
Saturn's rings are nearly edge-on at present. The planet is the bright star rising in the East after 10pm this month. A telescope will show its rings as a thin line. You will not see them this close to edge-on for 30 years so view every clear night this month and email us if you see them (observe@astronomy.ie). See A.I. Chairman David Moore's images of an almost ring-less Saturn taken with one of our Celestron telescopes are here: www.astronomy.ie/saturn.html. Keep checking it for any new images.
 
The International Space Station will be visible blazing across the sky every evening from January 21st to February 4th inclusive. If you text SPACE to 57003 now you will get the exact time to see it sent to your mobile every afternoon that it is visible. Each text costs 1euro and proceeds help us promote astronomy so please tell all your friends as ISS is extremely spectacular to the naked eye when it flies over and there are 3 astronauts on board. Background details for ISS are here www.astronomy.ie/iss
 
 
 

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