1. Winter Solstice Report Sunday, December 21st, marked the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year. Newgrange had cloudy weather but Astronomy Ireland had perfect conditions at the James Joyce Monument in Sean Moore Park in Sandymount. A full report and pictures can be found at www.astronomy.ie/solsticereport.html and a webcast of the Newgrange event can be found at www.newgrange.com Newgrange was also featured on APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day) http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap081220.html 2. Christmas 'Telescope Nights' (Now until December 24th) Venus is a wonderful sight above the horizon in the evening skies, prompting many to wonder is it the Christmas star? The answer is no but it is still a spectacular sight, and Astronomy Ireland are holding Watches every day at 5pm at our Telescope Shop in Artane. Everyone is invited to come along to this free public viewing and try out a selection of telescopes and binoculars from our Shop. Map to Shop Here 3. Christmas Gifts Christmas Telescopes: Lowest Prices in Ireland - ORDER HERE Evening Classes: Nationwide, 11 towns from January 28th - BOOK NOW Mars Book By Irish Author: - ORDER HERE Christmas Star Video: - ORDER HERE 4. New Year's Eve Watch - Venus next to Moon This New Year's Eve, Venus and our Moon will put on a spectacular show in the night sky to celebrate the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009, the United Nations International Year of Astronomy. Venus will be a spectacular sight to the naked eye next to the Moon just like it was on December 1st, when all the phone lines in Astronomy Ireland were jammed - see our report here To ring in the New Year and the International Year of Astronomy, 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 Shop's fantastic Celestron Telescopes. More information about the Venus Watch can be found Here. Map to Shop. 5. Chairman David Moore to preview IYA 2009 on RTE's 'Drivetime' Astronomy Ireland Chairman David Moore will be on RTE Radio 1's top-rating Drivetime show (4.30pm to 6.30 pm) on New Year's Eve, and will be discussing Venus next to the Moon and Astronomy Ireland's plan for 2009, the United Nations International Year of Astronomy, including our fantastic New Year Lecture 'Touchdown on Titan' by Professor John Zarnecki, one of the most accomplished space scientists. Last time David spoke about an upcoming Astronomy Ireland lecture on 'Drivetime' people had to be turned away at the door, so book now to avoid disappointment Here Astronomy Ireland wishes to extend its warmest wishes to everyone for the holiday season and we look forward to celebrating the International Year of Astronomy with you in the New Year. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club AND Ireland's Only Astronomy Magazine www.astronomy.ie Email Astronomy Ireland at sec@astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat Email the Shop at sales@astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )