1. MARKREE TO BE SOLD! On April 8 I emailed that Markree Observatory in Sligo was to be sold and that RTE had come in to our Shop to film a piece with me about its history (you can see old emails by clicking on the link at the bottom of these emails). The piece was to be aired that day but it was held over and was only transmitted at 1pm last Wednesday April 14, but it was also aired on the "Seachtain" programme last Sunday. You can watch the piece online! http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0414/1news/1news56_10a.smil It explains that the Observatory will be auctioned on May 19 in the Castle with a guide price of 300,000 euro (includes 3 acres of land). You'll also get to see what is left of the Observatory, which found the only asteroid ever discovered from Ireland. One worrying point was that the auctioneer seemed to be suggesting how the round walls of the observatory could be 'incorporated' in to a room in the house. I'd like to think it will always 'look like an observatory'. It is a very important part of Ireland's astronomical heritage. Enjoy the clip, it's only 2 minutes long. 2. COMETS Further to yesterday's email it cleared up this morning just before dawn and I was certain I'd get to see Comet Bradfield! Drove to Howth but clouds rose up on the eastern horizon at the critical time so no sighting. The invitation to tag along any morning this week still stands, just reply to this email for details. There's always Comet NEAT (featured in the May issue of our magazine, along with details of the coming Total Eclipse on May 4) which becomes visible from Ireland on May 6 or 7 just in time for our STAR-B-Q, Ireland' BIGGEST annual gathering of astronomy fans. You can now book STAR-B-Q online and get details at http://www.astronomy.ie/sbq.html However, Comet LINEAR (closest to the Sun on April 25) that you may hear about all over the net will NOT be visible from Ireland while it is bright over the coming months. ===== David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland (www.astronomy.ie) To get the May 'COMET & ECLIPSE' issue of our magazine telephone or visit Ireland's ONLY Astronomy Shop www.astronomy.ie/map.html Tel (01) 847 0777 six days a week (delivery nationwide)