1. Public Lecture: How Ireland Invented Astronomy

Newgrange is older than the Great Pyramids in Egypt, and older than Stonehenge in England, yet doesn't get the recognition as the world's oldest observatory!

Located near the bank of the River Boyne, Newgrange is famous because on the morning of the Winter Solstice each year, sunlight enters the passage and illuminates the chamber within the monument. Observing the Sun like this was vital for Ireland's ancient inhabitants, as it marked the date that their agriculture and economy depended on.

Other monuments around the country, such as standing stones, are known to be aligned with both with other terrestrial objects and with celestial bodies in the sky. These ancient alignments give modern scientists clues to the understanding of the Universe as we knew it thousands of years ago.

The lecture will take place in Trinity College Dublin on Monday, August 13th, at 8pm. Order tickets and DVDs here or by calling (01) 890 11 11.

2. Perseid Meteor Shower

This weekend sees the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower, on Saturday night/Sunday morning, and already we have received several reports from people who have seen some Perseid meteors in the night sky! Astronomy Ireland's David Moore saw four such meteors in the space of only half an hour on Tuesday night, so we are expecting an excellent show this weekend.

It is expected that observers may get to see around 100 meteors per hour, and with no Moon to cause any glare, this meteor shower will be a spectacle not to be missed. You do not need any special equipment to see the meteors; just go outside and look up!

Astronomy Ireland is running a Nationwide Meteor Watch where we ask observers to count how many meteors they saw, and to let us know. For more information on taking part in this easy exercise of "citizen science", please visit www.astronomy.ie/perseids

3. Astronomy Ireland on TV and Radio

Astronomy Ireland member and gaeilgeoir Éamonn O'Fearcháin was interviewed on RTE Nuacht and TG4 this week to speak about the successful descent and landing of the Mars rover Curiosity. Watch his interviews online at www.astronomy.ie/tv

Chairman of Astronomy Ireland, David Moore, has been interviewed extensively recently on radio stations around the country to talk about Curiosity, the International Space Station, the Star-B-Q, and more! Listen to these and more at www.astronomy.ie/audio