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.