1. Evening Classes starting October 7th

Our extremely popular Evening Classes begin again nationwide on October 7th. The classes are aimed at the beginner and cover everything you ever wanted to know about the Universe. There are 8 classes in total and content covered includes an introduction to the night sky, the Sun and the Moon, planets and stars, history of astronomy, deep sky objects, the big bang and even a class on telescopes and how to use one. Classes will take place in Athlone, Cork, Dublin, Dundalk, Galway, Letterkenny, Limerick, Sligo, Tralee and Waterford. For more information call us on (01) 847 0777 or visit www.astronomy.ie/class.

EVENING CLASS PROMOTION

Can you promote our Evening Classes in your local area? As 2010 is Astronomy Ireland's 20th anniversary we are trying to get as many people as possible involved in this fantastic hobby and we need your help to do this. If anyone is willing to promote this set of Evening Classes, by distributing posters, bringing fliers to work or even giving information to family and friends, please email sec@astronomy.ie.

2. Irish Meteorite on Mars

A possible meteorite found on Mars by Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity has been given the informal name "Oileán Ruaidh". On September 16th, Opportunity took a series of images that reveal a dark rock about 31 meters (102) feet away. The rover's science team has decided to go get a closer look at the toaster-sized rock and determine whether it is an iron meteorite. "The dark color, rounded texture and the way it is perched on the surface all make it look like an iron meteorite," said Matt Golombek of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California. For more information click HERE.

Opportunity landed on Mars in January 2004 for what was planned as a three-month mission, since then it has found four iron meteorites during it's exploration of the Meridiani Planum region of Mars. Examination of these rocks has provided information about the Martian atmosphere, as well as the meteorites themselves. For more information about the mission, see http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov .

3. Jupiter closest until 2022 (Uranus nearby!)

Tonight, September 23rd, the brilliant 'star' blazing next to the Moon will of course be the planet Jupiter, which is now closer to Earth than it will be until 2022. Uranus will appear as a dim star like object 0.8 degree (less than 2 Moon diameters) above Jupiter, barely visible to the naked eye, it is an easy sight through binoculars or telescope. If you see it, especially with the naked eye, please email observe@astronomy.ie for our magazine report.

On Thursday, September 30th, at various venues all across the country, Astronomy Ireland will be setting up powerful telescopes in celebration of the planet Jupiter. We encourage you all to come along to this free event and bring all your friends and family.

For more information about Nationwide Jupiter watch and to check the location of your nearest Watch click HERE. Alternatively email sec@astronomy.ie or call us on (01) 847 0777.

Current confirmed locations are: Dublin, Sligo

For more information and to check the location of your closest Watch click HERE.

All watches will begin at 8pm

Please keep checking our Jupiter watch webpage as more locations will be confirmed over the next few days.

TELESCOPE VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS WANTED

We already have several large telescopes for our Nationwide Jupiter Watch but if you have a medium to large telescope (at least 6-inch, preferably 8-inch or larger) why not bring it along to one of the Watches and share the excitement of the general public as they are amazed by views of Jupiter. Thousands of you now have powerful telescopes from our Shop (CPCs, NexStar SEs and Advanced Series GTs) that give amazing views of the planets and more. If you want to get involved, especially during our 20th Anniversary year call us on (01) 847 0777 or email sec@astronomy.ie.