'God of War' to Dominate Thursday's Night Sky

Nationwide Mars Watch to reveal alien world

This Thursday, March 29th, at various locations nationwide, Astronomy Ireland will be setting up powerful telescopes focused on the planet Mars, named after the Roman God of War, as it looms in the night sky.

With excellent weather conditions expected, Astronomy Ireland invites everyone to come along to their nearest Mars Watch to be amazed by the Red Planet.

Members of the general public will be able to use some of the most powerful telescopes in the country, which will reveal stunning detail on this alien world.

"The telescopes on the night will let you see things like the polar ice caps on Mars, as well as its vast, dried-up lakes that were once full of water millions of years ago," said David Moore. Chairman of Astronomy Ireland. "Mars will be bigger, brighter and better than it has been in Irish skies for years, it will be a mesmerising spectacle to the naked eye and even more breath taking to those who come along and look through the numerous giant telescopes which will be set up at around the country!"

To the naked eye Mars looks like any other bright star in the sky, however, once peered at through a telescope, tremendous surface detail can be detected. Mars will be the main target at Watches but staff and volunteers will also show people how to find their way around the sky revealing the constellations and other planets.

This is an ideal opportunity to make use of the good weather and to get together with friends and family to do some amazing astronomy!

EVENT DETAILS

Current confirmed locations are: Athy, Cork, Down, Dublin, Leitrim/Sligo.

For more information, updated locations, and to check the location of your closest Watch click HERE

Please keep checking our Mars Watch webpage for any updates.

TELESCOPE VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS WANTED

We already have several large telescopes for our Nationwide Mars Watch but if you have a medium to large telescope (at least 6-inch, preferably 8-inch or larger) why not bring it along to one of the Watches and share the excitement of the general public as they are amazed by views of Mars? If you want to get involved call us on (01) 890 11 11 or email sec@astronomy.ie.