1) President of Royal Astronomical Society to explain Universe On Monday next , August 11 at 8:00pm, Professor Michael Rowan-Roinson, will deliver a Public Summer Lecture "The Key to Understanding the Universe". This lecture is presented in association with The Irish Times and an article by Dick Ahlstrom on the lecture and Prof. Rowan-Robinsonwill feature in today's (Thursday 7th) Irish Times. Demand for tickets is already heavy and this extra publicity is sure to ensure a full house so book your ticket asap on www.astronomy.ie/lecture200808.html The venue is The Physics Building, Trinity College Dublin. For everyone who cannot make it to the lecture in Dublin you can order a copy of the DVD for €7(plus P&P) at www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html 2) Perseid Meteor Shower The best meteor shower of the year peaks on Tuesday 12 August. David Grennan, the writer of the Sky Diary section of our magazine, Astronomy & Space has also written some excellent guidelines for meteor watching on www.astronomy.ie/perseids08/index.html We want you all to go outside to watch it and to please report your sightings in our Nationwide Watch. 3) Lunar Eclipse The Full Moon of Saturday August 16th also coincides with an almost Total Lunar Eclipse. The Moon will be partially eclipsed as it rises and mid eclipse will occur at approximately 10:10pm. Astronomy Ireland has organised Eclipse Watches in Carlow, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Limerick and Mayo. Further details are available at www.astronomy.ie/lunareclipse0808.html and in the August "Eclipse Issue" of our magazine available for €5 4) Star-B-Q Our annual fundraising Star-B-Q takes place in Roundwood Co Wicklow on Saturday August 30. Star-B-Q is Ireland's biggest annual Star Party with people coming from all around Ireland, so don't be left out. Attendees are entered into a free draw for a Nexstar 8SE worth about €1,500. Other prizes on the night are a Celestron SkyScout Personal Planetarium and a year's membership to Astronomy Ireland. You can book online at www.astronomy.ie/sbq or call (01) 847 0777 Please bring all your friends and family. Astronomy Ireland 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 ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )