The International Space Station (ISS) is visible in Irish skies until this Friday, March 19. The ISS will appear as an extremely bright star-like object in evening skies and is the brightest object in the sky apart from the Moon. This man-made object is a spectacular sight and we urge all of you to go outside and watch as it passes over. For more information about the Space Station click HERE. Remember each time you see this exciting space event email your report to observe@astronomy.ie, we will do our best to include it in a forthcoming issue of 'Astronomy & Space' magazine.

To receive daily predictions of the times ISS will pass over straight to your mobile phone, text SPACE to 57003 (reply STOP to unsubscribe). Each text costs 1euro, and only one message will be sent per day. Proceeds help to promote interest in astronomy across Ireland.

3. Education Packs

As we mentioned last week Astronomy Ireland have a very successful School Education Programme with a team of Education Officers who travel around Irish schools giving fascinating talks on astronomy. We have been inundated with requests from you for information packs about the programme to drop into your local schools.

If you still haven't requested a pack and you know somebody who might be interested in a school visit, have children yourself, are a teacher or would be willing to drop some information into your local school please email linda@astronomy.ie for a full information pack about the programme which will be posted out to an address of your choice.

Don't forget to let the school know about our very special offer for the 2009/2010 school term. Every school who books a talk during the 2009/10 term will receive a free astronomy pack for every student!

Log on to www.astronomy.ie/outreach for more information or contact Simon Reynolds on (01) 847 0777 to book a visit.

BOOK A TALK REQUEST INFO PACK

4. NASA Convention At Science Gallery

From March 22 to 26 the Science Gallery (TCD) will be hosting NASA's 21st STEREO Science Working Group Meeting. The project, which was launched October 2006, provides a unique 3D view of the Sun-Earth System. It does this with two nearly identical observatories - one ahead of Earth in its orbit, the other trailing behind - which trace the flow of energy and matter from the Sun to Earth. These satellites are vital in revealing the 3D structure of the violent eruptions of matter from the sun known as coronal mass ejections, which disrupt satellites and power grids, and help us understand why they happen. Over the course of the week a hundred space scientists from all over the world will be attending the convention. To read more about the STEREO project click HERE. For further details of the meeting click HERE.

As part of the convention, there will be a public lecture on the Tuesday evening, March 23, at 6:30pm in the Science Gallery and all are welcome to attend. The talk will be given by Dr. Janet Luhmann of University of California, Berkeley and is entitled 'Stereo: Sounds of the Sun'. There is no admission fee for the talk but pre-booking is essential. For more information click HERE.