1. New Year's Eve Spectacular Planetary Alignment

This New Year's Eve, 5 planets and our Moon will put on a spectacular show in the evening sky to celebrate the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009, the United Nations International Year of Astronomy.

Uranus, Venus, Neptune, Jupiter and Mercury, along with our own Moon, will be visible in the evening skies over Ireland in the same stretch of sky. The most spectacular of all will be a blazing Venus beside the Moon. This event only happens a few times every century so don't miss out!

Our Chairman David Moore will be on the top rated RTE Radio 1 show 'Drivetime' between 4.30pm to 6.30 pm, and will discussing this conjunction and how it heralds the United Nations International Year of Astronomy.

This is an event not to be missed and Astronomy Ireland will hold a special New Year's Eve viewing for this event at our Telescope Shop in Butterly Business Park, Artane, using our fantastic Celestron Telescopes from our showroom.

All are welcome and the viewing starts from 4:30pm. A map to our Office and Shop can be found at www.astronomy.ie/map

2. Astronomy Ireland and Newgrange Winter Solstice Viewings

Astronomy Ireland are planning a viewing for this event at the James Joyce Monument in Sean Moore Park in Sandymount for the general public, at 8:30 am on Sunday, December 21st. All are welcome.

For more information, facts and viewing locations for the Winter Solstice, and for details of the live webcast from Newgrange, check out our website at www.astronomy.ie and for the map to the park click here

3. Astronomy Ireland New Year Lecture

Discovery Channel and BBC TV star Professor John Zarnecki will give our exciting New Year Lecture 'Touchdown on Titan'. Check out our website for more details www.astronomy.ie

4. Christmas Gifts

There's no need to panic about last minute gifts, Astronomy Ireland have the perfect gifts for the astronomy enthusiast in your life. Check out our website www.astronomy.ie for gift ideas.