1.  Lecture & DVD:  "Supernovae - Hunting Exploding Stars"

Astronomy Ireland's next Public Lecture will be held on Monday September 10 and will be made available on DVD for everyone in Ireland.
 
The talk is aimed at the general public and is suitable for people of all ages, so bring all your family and friends. For those unable to make it to the talk, a DVD of this lecture can be ordered at low cost (5euro + P&P) on  www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html
 

When a massive star reaches the end of its short life, it explodes as a supernova. For a few weeks, this star will outshine the combined glow of its galaxy. In 1006 AD, the "Lupus Supernova" shone so brightly that it was visible for several months in broad daylight! A supernova occurs in our galaxy on average every 50 years, but as luck would have it, the last one exploded in 1604. However, 444 million years ago a nearby supernova almost wiped out all life on Earth, causing the "Ordovician Mass Extinction". Luckily, our Sun is too small to explode this way, but the familiar stars Betelgeuse, Spica and Antares will. When they do - what will happen to us?

 

These and other questions will be answered by Professor Stephen Smartt, of Queens University, Belfast - a leading European authority in this field who is giving our September Public Lecture on Monday.


Lecture Title:            "Supernovae - Hunting Exploding Stars" 
Lecture Venue:        Physics Building, Trinity College, Dublin 2
Date:                           Monday, September 10
Time:                           8:00pm
Admission:                5euro (3euro to concessions) 
Organiser:                 Astronomy Ireland
 
ALL WELCOME
Tickets are available at the door or visit www.astronomy.ie/lecture200709.html or call  (01) 847 07 77.
DVD available at www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html or by calling (01) 847 07 77.
 
 
 
2.  BBC "Sky at Night"
 
In the small hours of Monday morning the September issue of Sir Patrick Moore's "The Sky at Night" was broadcast.  Black Holes were the feature this month in a TV programme that was very similar to Astronomy Ireland's 2007 New Year Public Lecture.  Astronomy Royal for Scotland, Prof John Brown, an accomplished magician used magic tricks to explain Black Holes in fun way ably assisted by Chris Lintott and Fiona Speirits.
 
REPEATS: You can catch the show again on BBC Four (Mon Sep 3 at 7:30pm and Tue Sep 4 at 3:15am)  and again on BBC 2 on Saturday Sep 8 at 1pm(don't let it delay you getting to Star-B-Q that night though!)
 
If you want a copy of Prof John Brown's New Year Lecture to Astronomy Ireland (the only one this year that was so packed that we had to turn people away!) on DVD then see www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html
 
 
 
3.  Star-B-Q is this Saturday!
 
The Irish Times magazine ran a feature on this Saturday's Star-B-Q which brought in loads more bookings making this the biggest Star-B-Q in Astronomy Ireland's 17 year history.  And rightly so, as Star-B-Q has become the biggest annual astronomy event on the island with people travelling from all parts of Ireland (north and south) to attend.
 
This year much more has been added to the programme with far more telescopes than ever before and a celebrity Key Note Speaker - space journalist Leo Enright (RTE & BBC).
 
 Ireland's biggest annual telescope show includes this year -
    • See Jupiter, Mars, Galaxies, and Nebulae from pitch-dark skies.
    • "3-D Mars" - See the red planet in depth - our keynote address by Leo Enright.
    • 1/4 million Euro worth of telescopes for you to look through - biggest collection ever!
    • Professionally catered barbecue included in the price!
    • Special laser guide to the stars and constellations (most powerful hand-held laser in Ireland)
    • and lots more besides!
 
DON'T MISS IT:  We want you to help make this the biggest and greatest Star-B-Q in history by getting everyone you know to come along for a fascinating evening. Whether you know anything about astronomy or not you'll have a great night out and see unbelievable sights!
 
Please bring all your family and friends as possible for a great night out with the stars!
 
Book your Star-B-Q tickets online at  www.astronomy.ie/sbq
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Astronomy  Ireland
Tel  (01) 847 0777