1. SUPERB SUNSPOT SHOW RIGHT NOW Several groups of very impressive giant sunspots are now visible on the face of the Sun, as we alerted you to on our premium rate Newslines on Monday (1550-111-442 calls cost 95c/min; in UK dial 09001-88-1950 at 60p/min) As so many of you bought AstroSolar filters from us for the Venus Transit make sure you get even greater value out of them by viewing these superb sunspots over the next few days. There is an increased chance of an aurora too at this time. If an explosion happens on the Sun in the next few days and an aurora is forecast we'll post a message to this list immediately so check your email regularly. If you didn't get AstroSolar filters for your binoculars or telescope in time for the Venus Transit then we still have a few left (more will be coming on our next shipment next week too). Call (01) 847 0777 to order yours and get instructions for safe solar viewing. NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN WITHOUT PROPER FILTERS LIKE "ASTROSOLAR". The SOHO sun-watching spacecraft is experiencing one of its phases of difficult communication but you should be able to see the latest image of the sunspots on the net at: http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/data/realtime/mdi_igr/512/ but it's just not the same as seeing the sunspots live! Pictures of these spots will definitely appear in our magazine! www.astronomy.ie/sub to get your copy every month. 2. YOUR TRANSIT PHOTOS As promised, at our June lecture last week (Dr Neil Trappe "Submillimetre Astronomy and the Herschel Space Observatory") we showed a lot of the Venus Transit photos that you have sent us so far, with submissions from: Joe Divito, Arklow Keith Geary, Cavan Shirley Jones, Coventry UK Francis Long, Lucan Peter McNally, Castlebar David Moore, Phoenix Park(webcam video) Anthony Murphy, Drogheda Garry Murphy, Dublin Mark O'Neill, Wexford Michael Rosenstock, Bray Derek Scully, Dublin Kevin Sheahan, Dublin Richard Slobins, USA and a few professional videos. It was a stunning array of images for which we thank you. Most if not all will appear in the magazine: www.astronomy.ie/sub to get your copy every month. Dr Neil Trappe himself gave an excellent overview of submillimetre astronomy and the camera they are designing at Maynooth University for the Herschel Space Observatory which has a mirror bigger than that of the Hubble Space Telescope! If you missed this talk don't miss our next one on July 12 when Bart Busschots will talk about telescopes that can be used worldwide on the internet (so potentially one can observe during the day, while it is night time on the far side of the world)! Further details at: http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture0407.html Make a note 'Internet Telescopes DCU 8pm' in your diary and calendar now, or send an SAE and 5euro per ticket (3euro to members). All welcome: 8pm July 12 Henry Grattan Building (beside The Helix), Dublin City University, Glasnevin, D9 There's lots to see this month: those sunspots, Jupiter, Mars near the Moon - see the Sky Diary pages of our magazine and drop in to our Shop. Regards and clear skies, David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland. www.astronomy.ie Visit our Shop, Monday to Saturday inclusive. Tel (01) 847 0777