1. Mars Close To Moon - Telescope Watches
Nationwide
This Friday, January 29, the
brilliant 'star' blazing just to the left of the Moon will of course be the
planet Mars, which is now closer to Earth than it will be for a 6 year
period. At carefully chosen venues all across the country, Astronomy Ireland
will be setting up powerful telescopes in what is hoped to be the biggest ever
telescope spectacular in the history of the state. We encourage everyone
to tell everyone you know about Mars Watch and to come along this
Friday with friends and family. Please note that the all Watches will
go ahead regardless of weather.
EVENT DETAILS
For more information and to check
the location of your closest Watch click HERE.
All watches will begin at 8pm with the exception of
Donegal where the watch will begin at 9pm
Please keep checking our
Mars Watch webpage
as more locations may be confirmed over the next 24 hours.
TELESCOPE VOLUNTEERS
ALWAYS WANTED
We already have several large telescopes for our
Nationwide Mars 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 Mars? 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. Mars
Watch is our first of many Watches which will be held during 2010 - our
20th anniversary. Later this year we will have more Watches for the Moon,
Saturn, Jupiter, the December eclipse, and Star-B-Q (Sept. 4th) If
you want to get involved, especially during our 20th Anniversary
year call us on (01) 847 0777 or email sec@astronomy.ie.
2. Discovery Of Earth-Like Planets Expected This Year
In an interview with multi-city radio station 4FM, Astronomy
Ireland Chairman, David
Moore, talks about the recent and exciting discoveries of the Kepler
Mission which is searching for earth-like planets outside of our solar system.
To listen to this interview and hear David talk about our Nationwide Mars
Watch and Evening
Classes go to www.astronomy.ie/audio.
3. Events
February 3 - Evening Classes Commence (Cork,
Dublin, Dundalk, Letterkenny, Sligo, Tralee, Waterford)