For the first time in 48 years the BA comes to Dublin for a week long Festival of Science with talks and events across the city.

There is a packed programme so here is a link to all the astronomy related events:

 

On Tuesday I have been invited to give a Public Lecture for the BA in the National College of Ireland (Mayor St, IFSC, Dublin 1).

 

In a highly illustrated talk aimed at young people and the general public I am going to attempt to describe the entire universe!

It's a whistle stop tour of the planets, stars, galaxies and universe as a whole.

I hope to give you an overview of our current understanding of the entire universe.

 

The lecture is FREE and everyone is welcome.

You can get tickets from our Shop in Artane which is open 6 days a week (Mon. to Sat.) up to 5:30pm.

 

Map: www.ncirl.ie/corporate_services/conference_facilities/how_to_locate_us.asp

Here is a superb illustration of the luxurious conference hall:

 

Don't forget to check all the other fantastic talks and events by experts from Ireland and around the world via the link above!

 

 

 

 

A record crowd of around 500 people came to our "barbecue under the stars" last Friday August 26 making it the biggest annual telescope gathering in Ireland. Dublin Food Sales Ltd did an excellent job catering for the event with hot food served until late, plus loads of other 'goodies' too. There were several talks by Emlyn Jones, David Grennan and I in the large hall in Roundwood GAA grounds. Lasers were used to point out stars and constellations (we now have prices on these lasers which are in stock - call the Shop). A demonstration of digital imaging was set up outdoors by Eamonn O'Fearchain. The playing field was strewn with a vast array of telescopes and viewing started on some of the target objects early but then clouds rolled in. However, skies cleared later and fantastic views were had of the wonders of the universe like the Ring Nebula, galaxies, globular clusters, the Dumbbell nebula, the Wild Duck cluster, double stars, the planets Mars and even Uranus and Neptune which clearly showed disks despite their enormous distance. Even the Moon was viewed later on when it rose. There is an initial report on www.astronomy.ie with some pictures.

 

 

PHOTOS? If you snapped any at all at the event we want to hear from you as we need copies for our full report. Even small images will do. Please email info@astronomy.ie thanks.

 

Thanks to everyone who supported the event by buying tickets and to the dozens of volunteers who worked tirelessly before, during and after the event to help. This is our biggest annual fund-raiser and proceeds will help us to keep promoting interest in astronomy in Ireland. Thank you all.

 

 

 

 

The I.S.S. will blaze across the sky every evening from Sept. 2nd to 15th.

For background details check out our ISS page: www.astronomy.ie/iss.html