1. Jupiter Watch on Thursday

On Thursday, September 30th, Astronomy Ireland will hold a Jupiter Watch at various key locations around the country. We encourage everyone to come along with friends and family to this free event and see Jupiter through some of Ireland's most powerful telescopes. Watches will begin at 8pm. For more information and to check your nearest Watch click HERE. Please note Watches will go ahead regardless of weather.

EVENT DETAILS

Current confirmed locations are: Carlow/Kildare, Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Sligo/Leitrim,

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

All watches will begin at 8pm

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.

2. Extremely popular Evening Classes begin next week

Our extremely popular 'Astronomy for Beginners' evening classes begin again nationwide on October 7th. The classes are aimed at beginners and cover an array of fascinating topics on astronomy, the universe and beyond. There are 8 classes in total and content covered includes some of the following intriguing aspects of astronomy:

- An exciting introduction to the night sky to ease people in to the classes

- A detailed analysis of the Sun and the Moon will follow in the second class

- Participants will also journey through some of the enthralling facts about the Planets, Stars and Star Clusters

- A detailed class depicts the history of astronomy

- Deep Sky Objects including Nebulae and Galaxies will be discussed

- One of astronomy's most famous theories, the Big Bang, will be studied

- To finish the course there will be a step by step class on telescopes and binoculars.

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.

3. Autumn Lecture - Are we alone in the Universe?

On Monday, October 11th, Dr Lewis Dartnell - author of "Life in the Universe: A Beginner's Guide", researcher at University College London, and science writer in numerous magazines and newspapers will visit Dublin to explore the science behind alien life in our Universe, at Astronomy Ireland's Autumn Public Lecture in Trinity College Dublin. Dr. Dartnell will take guests on a tour of the other planets and moons in our solar system which may harbour life, and even further afield to alien worlds orbiting distant stars, to explore one of the greatest questions ever asked: are we alone...?

But what actually is 'life', how did it emerge on our own world, what conditions can terrestrial life tolerate? And what would an alien actually look like?

"In the 1960s, Frank Drake devised an equation which allowed scientists to estimate the number of intelligent alien civilisations there are in our galaxy, the Milky Way," said David Moore, Chairman of Astronomy Ireland. "Some estimates say that there may be as many as 20,000 civilisations in our galaxy! This lecture is going to provide an amazing insight into what was once considered science fiction, but is now accepted as science fact."

The lecture takes place at 8pm in the Fitzgerald Building, Trinity College Dublin. For more information click HERE.

A DVD is available to order online for anyone who cannot make the talk on the night.

BOOK TICKETS ORDER DVD