1. ASTRONOMY EVENING CLASSES There are still some places left on our Evening Classes that start on Thursday this week (Oct. 2nd). To book places call (01) 847 0777 up to 6pm. They are held in the Oldbawn Community School in Tallaght, just across the road from The Square Shopping Centre and so easy access from the M50 and therefore from most parts of the city and surrounding counties. Details on: http://www.astronomy.ie/eveningclass.html Course outline on: http://www.astronomy.ie/eccontents.rtf 2. SEPTEMBER LECTURE ONLINE Thanks to our colleagues in DCU computer services the September lecture is online at http://www.astronomy.ie/webcast.html (click on September) for your viewing pleasure. Martin Houston gave a superb talk on "Recent Advances in Spacecraft Propulsion" dealing with everything from ion engines (like SMART-1), solar sails, to even the extreme future of anti-matter engines. A fascinating overview of the future of spaceflight to mark this year being the 100th anniversary of the first flight by the Wright brothers in 1903. SURVEY: We want to gauge the level of interest in having these monthly lectures digitised and put online for those who cannot make it to Dublin. Please email mailto:info@astronomy.ie and let us know how often you use this service each year as we will be deciding if it is worth continuing this service or should we put our efforts elsewhere? 3. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION ON VIEW The International Space Station will blaze across the sky tonight at 7:57pm. You can see it every night until October 8th, but at a different time each night so call our Newsline on 1550-111-442 every day after 12 noon for the time to watch that evening (calls cost 74c/min). Those in the U.K. can call 09001-88-1950 (calls cost 60p/min). On board at present are Ed Lu and Yuri Malenchenko. A new crew will not join them until October 18, so no "space chase" for us this time. Please forward this message on to everyone in your address book and let's get the whole country out watching space this week! 4. OBSERVING TIPS Mars is still a great sight in a telescope. It's at its highest in the South around 11pm this week. Syrtis Major is visible this week and next week. Mars will be very close to Moon on Monday (Oct. 6). Mercury is making its best appearance of the year in morning skies and Jupiter is near it making for a very rare chance to spot it easily! There are some nice sunspots too - but be careful, use your AstroSolar filter to view in safety. More details of planet viewing in the magazine of course, or call the Shop for details and equipment. Don't forget I.S.S. every night too. Not a member of the world's most popular astronomy club yet!? Please join Astronomy Ireland online and support Irish astronomy: www.astronomy.ie/sub ===== David Moore BSc FRAS, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland, P.O.Box 2888, Dublin 5. Editor, "Astronomy & Space" magazine. ASTRONOMY SHOP: open until 6pm Mon.-Sat. Tel (01) 847 0777. Fax (01) 847 0771. www.astronomy.ie (Subscribe FREE to AI's Events emailing list) Email: info@astronomy.ie