1. Summer Public Lecture &
DVD
On Monday, May
10, Dr. Brian Espey of Trinity College Dublin and the Dublin
Institute of Advanced Studies (DIAS) will deliver our Summer Public Lecture in
Trinity College. Stars with masses similar to our own Sun
pass through an evolutionary red giant stage towards the end of their lives,
releasing a significant quantity of processed gas in the
form of a stellar wind. Despite the importance of this process in the evolution
of stars, planets, and life, very little is known
of the details of this cosmic wind. At his lecture, guests will hear
Dr. Espey describe the effects that these strong cosmic winds
within our Universe have on the planets of our solar
system.
In the past Brian
has given lectures to Astronomy Ireland members which proved to be most
enjoyable, fascinating and very successful, so be sure
not to miss out!
The lecture takes
place at 8pm in the SNIAM Building, Trinity College Dublin (MAP
HERE), on Monday, May 10. For more information click HERE.
A DVD is
available to order online for anyone who cannot make the talk on the night.
2. ISS Visible in Irish Skies Until May
14
The International Space
Station (ISS) is
visible in Irish skies for the next two weeks, until May 14. 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. Public Lecture
At Armagh
Observatory
On Thursday, May
13, there will be a public lecture hosted by the Armagh Observatory
entitled “Did We Really Land on the Moon?”. Dr. Martin Hendry of the Department
of Physics and Astronomy, University of Glasgow, will give this talk which
focuses on the surprising number of theories which claim the Apollo 11
Moon walk was an elaborate hoax. In his talk, using real Apollo video
footage and a series of simple demonstrations, Dr. Hendry will take a closer
look at the science behind the "Moon hoax" claims, and ask whether we really did
land on the Moon.
The lecture takes
place at 8pm in the Rotunda Lecture Theatre, St. Patrick's Trian, Armagh,
on Thursday, May 13. There is no charge for the event and it is open to all
members of the public, however numbers may be limited. To obtain
tickets please contact Mrs Aileen McKee (Armagh Observatory, College Hill,
Armagh, BT61 9DG) on 028-3752-2928 or email ambn@arm.ac.uk.
4. Upcoming
Events