1.  Venus Rare Big Crescent

This is the last week to see Venus in evening skies. It's getting lower in the West after sunset every day and by next week it will be too low to spot with the naked eye anymore. However, Venus puts on a spectacular show as it bows out. Because it is coming closer to Earth its disk swells up in to a huge 40 arc second wide crescent. This is a very rare sight and it only lasts a few weeks. The big crescent will not be seen again in evening skies like this until March 2009.
 
So get your telescope out and take a look before it is gone! (large binoculars should show the crescent too). Next Monday and Tuesday July 16 and 17 the Moon will be near Venus (and Saturn) as the diagram on page 22 of your July magazine shows www.astronomy.ie/sub . Please send your sightings and photos to observe@astronomy.ie for the report in our magazine.
 
Telescope owners:  Don't forget the dust storm on Mars (see previous email). See Jupiter's moon events and Great Red Spot, lots to see this week - see pages 26 & 27 of your July magazine, there is something special to see every night this week (except Wednesday).
 
Ad: Not got a telescope yet? Download the new catalogue and then call us (01-8470777) for the lowest prices in the world www.astronomy.ie/AItelescopes.pdf
 
 
 
2.  Comet LINEAR Magnitude 7!
 
Page 28 of your July magazine shows the path of a new comet "C/2006 VZ13 (LINEAR)" to give its official title, or "VZ13" for short. However, we suggested Comet VZ13 would only be magnitude 9 or 10 but in fact it is already magnitude 7 to 8. It should peak in brightness at magnitude 7.0 later this month. This means VZ13 is now visible in binoculars and telescopes from dark skies.
 
Comet VZ13 is well placed for observing from our latitudes being almost overhead each evening. On July 22nd it will pass very close to the lovely globular star cluster M3. Again, please send sightings and photos to observe@astronomy.ie
 
 
 
3.  Office - Network Adapters
 
Thanks to all of you who offered help our expanded offices are taking shape nicely. This will allow us to do more all around Ireland to promote astronomy. If anyone has any surplus wireless network adaptors please email our new Director Ben Emmett at director@astronomy.ie
 
 
 
4.  Events:
 
Until July 22:  Your one opportunity to see just what a space telescope looks like  www.dias.ie/index.php?section=general&subsection=JWST
 
July 9:  "Birth of Stars & Planets" Come to the lecture by Dr Emma Whelan or order the DVD  www.astronomy.ie/lecture200707.html 
 
until July 11:  Our October Evening Class special offer, save 50euro now  www.astronomy.ie/eveningclass.html
 
Sept. 8:  Star-B-Q - Ireland's Biggest Annual Astro Event. For everyone in Ireland!  Book by July 31 and save 10euro  www.astronomy.ie/sbq
 
 
 
 
 
 
Astronomy  Ireland
 
Telescope Advice Monday to Saturday:
Tel (01) 847 0777
(ask for new catalogue