1. Moon and Jupiter this Thursday

On Thursday, November 1st, the Moon and Jupiter will be placed right next to each other as they rise in the East in what will be a spectacular sight. This conjunction can be easily seen with the naked eye, as both Jupiter and the Moon will be the two brightest objects in the night sky. Binoculars and telescopes will reveal Jupiter's moons, its cloud belts, and amazing craters and valleys on our own Moon as they traverse the sky that night.

Be sure to let us know what you see by emailing observe@astronomy.ie with your observation reports.

For more information on the Moon and Jupiter, and for advice on photographing them, please click HERE.

2. Public Lecture & DVD: Gaia: Mapping the Milky Way

Gaia is a mission undertaken by the European Space Agency to accurately map one thousand million stars in 3D in our own Galaxy and beyond. Due to launch in 2013, Gaia is an enormous undertaking and comes on the back of ESA's Hipparchos mission to accurately map, measure distances and brightness of objects in our galaxy and nearby universe.

Dr Nicholas Walton of Cambridge University will deliver Astronomy Ireland's November Public Lecture in Trinity College Dublin on November 12th at 8pm.

For tickets and DVDs, please click HERE or call (01) 890 11 11

3. Get Ready for Christmas!

The Astronomy Ireland Shop has a number of excellent special offers on telescopes for the run up to Christmas, including the Astromaster 130EQ for €199 (was €229) and the NexStar 8SE with a free Power Tank for €1649 (was €1848). For more details click HERE or call the Shop on (01) 890 11 11.

Astronomy Ireland is now also taking orders for gift memberships, season lecture/DVD tickets, and more, making ideal gifts for a loved one with an interest in astronomy and space. To find out about our Christmas gifts for as little as €40 click HERE.

4. Northern Lights Tour to Norway - Still Places Left!

Following this year's successful trip to Norway to see the northern lights, we have teamed up with Project Travel again to give you another opportunity to see this fantastic natural phenomenon!

There is still just time to book a place on Astronomy Ireland's Northern Lights Tour to Norway from February 17th to 21st next year. Non-members are welcome to join the special Tromsø-based package which includes a full programme of Northern Lights related tours, flights and accommodation.

On the trip we will visit Tromsø to explore its surroundings, its history, and of course, the northern lights. Travellers will have the opportunity to visit the Science Centre & Planetarium, to go dog-sledding, to take an aurora photography workshop, and much, much more!

For more details, a full itinerary, and booking details, please visit www.astronomy.ie/norway