Professor Denis O' Sullivan of the School of Cosmic Physics, Dublin Institute of Advance Studies will deliver our Easter Public Lecture, next Monday April 20. The Professor will give a fascinating insight into an experiment he is currently running called Matroshka, an exciting piece of research that will determine the effect of long term space travel on the human body. The experiment examines human absorption of radiation aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and is paving the way for safe human space flight in the future. The Professor, who has worked closely with Neil Armstrong, will begin his lecture with a commentary of Ireland's place in space exploration and how he has been involved in space probes to Mars, Halley's Comet, and more. He will then move on to the Matroshka experiment, and detail other work carried out by him and his team on US, European, Russian and Japanese space missions. The lecture will take place at 8pm next Monday April 20. Tickets are 7euro (non-members) or 5euro (members and concessions). A DVD of the lecture will be available for purchase for everyone all over Ireland at a cost of 7euro (plus p&p).

100 Hours of Astronomy, an IYA 2009 Cornerstone Project, took place from April 2 - 5 at various locations around the country. Astronomy Ireland participated in this event along with groups in 140 other countries around the world, by setting up watches nationwide, for what was the largest public telescope event ever to take place. The watches were very successful, with large crowds turning up at the viewing events over the course of the 4 nights. Click HERE to read the nationwide reports of this event.

We are still investigating the Fireball sighted over Ireland and the UK on Saturday April 4, shortly after midnight. So far, we have received in excess of 150 reports, however we still need a lot more in order to accurately predict where an object may have landed. We hope to release a final update regarding the fireball this week, but we still need many more reports to do this. If you saw something on Saturday Night, April 4, however insignificant you think it may be, please submit a report. While we do appreciate technical details, they are not absolutely necessary and every report helps in some way. Please report your sighting to us by filling out a 'Fireball' Report form HERE, and please ask friends who saw it to do likewise.

Are you looking to work as part of a dynamic team? Do you enjoy a challenge? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then we have just the job for you. We are looking for people in all departments, to join us in our mission to promote astronomy and build a science culture in Ireland. To apply for a position in Astronomy Ireland, send your CV and a cover letter telling us how you think you can contribute to our team to jobs@astronomy.ie.