1. June Lecture (and DVD) "Dark Matter" We are flying in Prof Tim Sumner from London to give our June 9 Public Lecture, "Direct Dark Matter Searches" which we will record on DVD for everyone in Ireland. Prof Sumner is a leading world authority on Dark Matter, that mysterious substance that makes up most of the matter in the universe but about which we know almost nothing. Tim Sumner is Professor in Experimental Astrophysics of the High Energy Physics Group, Imperial College London. He is a member of the UK Dark Matter Collaboration, and he investigates evidence to prove the existence of galactic dark matter formally known as "Weakly Interacting Massive Particles". The Collaboration is one of four groups around the world looking for WIMPs. There is a huge effort worldwide to make direct detection of a new form of particle thought to make up the dark matter in the Milky Way. Experiments are carried out in deep underground sites looking for tiny signals from these particles as they very very occasionally hit target atoms in the detectors. A positive detection would be a 'double whammy' of astounding importance for science as it would not only confirm the nature of dark matter but would also confirm supersymmetry as the way forward for unifying gravity with quantum mechanics. The scientific evidence for dark matter will be reviewed followed by a summary of experimental activity around the world and finally focussing on ICL's own experiment, ZEPLIN-III, being carried out 1km underground near Whitby in Yorkshire. For more information on this lecture see our website www.astronomy.ie/lecture200806.html Details: Monday June 9, Trinity College Dublin, Physics Building at 8pm. All welcome. Admission 5euro (or order DVD for 5euro). If you cannot get to the lecture in TCD you can order a DVD (which you can keep) of the lecture for the same price as a seat at the lecture: To book your tickets for this lecture click HERE To order the DVD of this lecture click HERE 2. Graphic Designer / DTP Person Required Astronomy Ireland are currently seeking a graphic designer to help produce our monthly magazine Astronomy & Space. If you are experienced in graphic design or desktop publishing please contact info@astronomy.ie 3. Astronaut Touches Down In Ireland Astronaut Dan Tani has landed in Ireland and plans to stay for a whole month. Dan's wife is from Kinsale and he will be based in Cork for the duration of his stay and has a full schedule of activities lined up. These activities include lots of school visits, talks and workshops for children. In February, Dan returned from a six month stay on the International Space Station. For more information on Dan's activities, please contact Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork on (021) 435 7917 or visit www.bco.ie (Workshop details at www.bco.ie/workshop.htm) STOP PRESS: We have just heard that Dan Tani will also be on the Marian Finucane show on Saturday morning (June 7th). Tune in to RTE Radio 1 from 11am-1pm Or check our Media Archive www.astronomy.ie/mediaarchive.html as we hope to have the interview online before Monday. 4. July Lecture- Dublin and Cork Astronomy Ireland have decided to treat everyone this July with two extra special lectures in Dublin and Cork. "From Babylon to the Big Bang - a History of Astronomy" by best selling authors and TV producers Heather Couper and Nigel Henbest. Heather, who was awarded a CBE in 2007, along with Nigel, are two internationally renowned popular science authors and media personalities. Heather will present 'Cosmic Quest', a BBC 4 thirty part series in Summer 2008. This lecture will promote their new book "From Babylon to the Big Bang - a History of Astronomy" www.astronomy.ie/lecture200807.html To book tickets for this lecture click HERE To order the DVD of this lecture click HERE Astronomy Ireland ( To subscribe/unsubscribe click here ) The world's most popular astronomy club and Ireland's Only Astronomy Magazine www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat Delivery Nationwide order online here