Christmas Gifts Membership DVD Shop 1. Sir Patrick Moore Passes Away, Aged 89 This past weekend saw the loss of a great astronomer, probably the most influentional amateur astronomer in the world who inspired generations of people to look to the skies. Sir Patrick Moore passed away yesterday, December 9th, at his home in Selsey, West Sussex, surrounded by his close friends, his carers, and his cat Ptolemy. Moore was a great friend of astronomy in Ireland, and David Moore recalled his memories and experiences of the Sky at Night star. You can read these recollections HERE. Astronomy Ireland extends its deepest condolences to those close to Sir Patrick Moore. As a mark of respect, there will be a minute's silence before our Christmas Lecture tonight begins. 2. Christmas Lecture and Party In our Christmas Public Lecture, Dr Tinetti will explore the amazing science behind the discovery of new planets, and how advancements in technology will allow us to find life-supporting new Earths. So far, 853 planets around other stars have been found. The first exoplanet was found 20 years ago in 1992 orbiting a pulsar. It is expected that there are many billions of planets in the Milky Way galaxy, not only occurring around stars but also as free-floating planets without a parent star, gliding through deep space. The discovery of extrasolar planets has intensified interest in the search for extraterrestrial life. A number of planets with a mass similar to that of Earth, and planets existing in the so-called "Goldilocks Zone", have been found in recent times. Each Christmas we also invite everyone to join us for a special annual event: our annual Christmas Party in the Lombard Inn just after the special Christmas lecture. This is a Public Lecture so we want you to invite all your family and friends along too, and bring them to the Party afterwards also. VENUE: The lecture takes place in the Fitzgerald Building in Trinity College Dublin on Monday, December 10th, at 8pm. For tickets, details and DVDs, please click HERE. Before the lecture begins, there will be a minute's silence as a mark of respect for the late Sir Patrick Moore. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular astronomy club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe )