Have you ever wanted to touch or hold a real meteorite? Come along to our New Year lecture on January 14th and you can.

Dr. Ian Sanders is Ireland's leading Meteorite expert. He studied at Cambridge and has taught at the Geology Department of Trinity College since 1971. He will reveal his new evidence about the origins of meteorites, their formation and just how they ended up falling to Earth.

There aren't too many people out there who can honestly say that they have held a piece of an exploded planet. This is an opportunity not to be missed! Early booking is advised.

For those who cannot make it to the venue on the night a DVD of the talk will be available to everyone in Ireland for only 5 Euro (plus 5 euro P&P). See www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html or call us today on (01) 847 0777 to reserve your place.

Admission 5 euro (3 euro members and concessions)

All proceeds help subsidise membership fees for everyone in Ireland

Tickets are available at the door, on www.astronomy.ie or call Astronomy Ireland on (01) 847 0777

For more information and to book your tickets, click on the link below

Professor Monica Grady (Open University, and recent Royal Institution Christmas Lecturer) is giving a talk to the Irish Geological Association on meteorites. It is aimed at a general audience, and will take place in the Davis Theatre, Arts Building, TCD (street level off Nassau Street entrance, Davis is the theatre at the far end of the concourse) on Thursday 17th January starting at 7.30 pm.

As well as the beginners astronomy classes already organised for Cork, Athlone and Dublin, we expect to announce classes in Galway and Limerick soon. Please let us know if you would attend Classes in other areas too?

We need your help to tell us which local newspapers and radio stations we should contact in each of the above 5 towns. Your local knowledge would be invaluable to us as we need to promote the classes. Do you know anyone working in any of these newspapers or radio stations that might be able to help us promote Classes in your area?

As part of our nationwide service goals and objectives we aim to provide recordings of our monthly lectures at nominal cost to members and non-members alike. The camera currently in use, which was donated by DCU about 10 years ago has developed a number of irreparable faults lately so if you know of anyone or any organisation that would be willing to donate a suitable camera then please get in touch with us at 01 8470777. We would be most grateful.

Astronomy Ireland will have a stand in the Eco Hall at the Young Scientists Exhibition in the RDS Dublin, running from Thursday 10th to Saturday 12th January from 9:30am to 5:30pm (5:00pm on Friday). However, we need your help. We are looking for volunteers to man the stand and talk to exhibitors and visitors to the exhibition, hand out some leaflets and take membership. Can you help out ? If so then please call us at 01 8470777 or email sec@astronomy.ie We'd love to hear from you.