On Monday, January 25, Astronomy Ireland's New Year Lecture was presented by none other than Professor Allan Chapman of Oxford University. We were very honoured, and extremely lucky to have secured such a high-profile speaker for our New Year Lecture which officially launched Astronomy Ireland's 20th anniversary celebrations. Professor Chapman did not disappoint as he captivated guests for nearly 90 minutes with his boisterous account of the history of the telescope, from Galileo's time right up to the Hubble Space Telescope, which orbits Earth today. With his unique presentation style, theatrical gestures and clever wit, Professor Chapman had guests on the edge of their seats throughout his talk. Hanging on his every word, a packed theatre of over 200 guests listened as he moved through the centuries, detailing the evolution of the telescope and the now famous people involved in its development. Professor Chapman ended his lecture with a series of photographs and illustrations of the telescope throughout the centuries.

After the lecture, there was a social reception in The Lombard, where guests packed in and had the opportunity to meet and take photos with Professor Chapman as well as mingle with Astronomy Ireland staff, volunteers and members alike. To read the full report of the evening click HERE.

"Amazing", "Fascinating", "Brilliant", and "the best talk I've ever been to" are some of the words and phrases that were used to describe this talk. For anyone who couldn't make it to this lecture, there is a DVD available to order online, simply click the link below.

ORDER DVD HERE

2. Space Shuttle Endeavour Blasts Off

The Shuttle Endeavour was launched into space from the Kennedy Space Centre at 4.14am local time on Monday, February 8 and is now currently docked with the International Space Station (ISS). Endeavour, with a crew of 6, is on a 13-day mission to add a new node, called 'Tranquility' to the space station. Described as a very complicated mission, Tranquility will provide more room for the space station's life support and environmental systems, including oxygen generation and water recycling. This mission marks the 33rd trip dedicated to the assembly, maintenance and improvement of the International Space Station, and is one of the last 5 flights of the shuttle programme which is due to be decommissioned in September. For more information about Endeavour and future Shuttle missions visit www.nasa.gov and to watch live space walks from this mission go to www.nasa.gov/ntv.

An Astronomy Ireland member is in Florida for the launch and is writing a feature article which will appear in our magazine in the coming months - watch this space! Don't forget, all this year if you sign up for membership to Astronomy Ireland, which includes a subscription to 'Astronomy & Space' magazine, you will get 20 months for the price of 12. For more information visit www.astronomy.ie/offer.

3. Evening Classes

Our popular Evening Classes have now commenced at various locations across the country, however it is not too late still to register for any of the following locations: Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Sligo, Tralee and Waterford. Call us on (01) 847 0777 for special rates for second registration or email sec@astronomy.ie.

4. Impromptu Mars Watch

There will be a Mars Watch in the Phoenix Park tomorrow night - Friday, February 12 - from 6pm onwards at the Papal Cross Carpark. RTE will be filming so please come along to see Mars through a telescope, and bring some friends and family members with you. For more information call us on (01) 847 0777 or email sec@astronomy.ie.