1. Galilean Nights Oct 22 -
24
From October 22 - 24 as part of the
worldwide celebrations for the International Year of Astronomy (IYA),
Galilean Nights will see amateur and professional astronomers, enthusiasts and
the general public pointing their telescopes at the wonders of the night sky
that Galileo observed 400 years ago. The focus for Galilean Nights is the
objects observed by Galileo himself - particularly Jupiter and its moons
which are well positioned in the night sky for viewing at the moment.
Astronomy Ireland have several exciting events to mark this cornerstone IYA
project.
Doorstep
Watches
We are encouraging you to run your
own Watch for Galilean Nights giving family, friends, and neighbours
a chance to look at Jupiter and the Moon through a telescope. If you would
like to run your own Doorstep Watch for this IYA event please let us
know by emailing sec@astronomy.ie or
calling us on (01) 847 0777 and we will provide you with
an information pack to download. Please note
that information packs cannot be posted out.
Watches in Tralee &
Sligo - Oct 22
To launch our Autumn Evening Classes
in Tralee and Sligo there
will be a Watch this Thursday, October 22 in Tralee and Sligo. All those
attending the Evening Classes, as well as members of the general public are
encouraged to attend these FREE events and look at the wonders of the night
sky through a telescope. Watches will begin at 7:30pm
and for more information about each location click HERE.
To sign up for the Tralee and
Sligo Evening Classes which will officially commence on Thursday, October 29,
and run for 8 weeks click HERE.
Dublin Watch - Oct 22 &
23
There will be Watches in Dublin on
Thursday, October 22 and Friday, October 23 outside the Astronomy Ireland
headquarters in Butterly Business Park, Artane, Dublin 5 - there is a map
available at www.astronomy.ie/map.
Watches will begin each evening at 7:30pm. Come along for night sky observing,
telescope demonstrations, and to visit the Astronomy & Space shop which
will open late for the occasion. For more information call us on (01) 847 0777
or click HERE.
Blackrock Castle Observatory
- Oct 24
Blackrock Castle Observatory (BCO) will
celebrate Galilean Nights this Saturday, October 24, with a Star Party under the
crescent Moon. The event will take place from 8:00 - 11:00pm and for more
information visit www.bco.ie.
2. Orionid Meteor
Shower
The Orionid meteor shower peaks each
year around October 21 and this year is no different with the shower expected to
peak tomorrow night (October 21). This particular meteor shower is
caused by dust passing through the Earth's atmosphere which is left over
from Halley's comet and the meteors or 'shooting stars' will appear to
come from the constellation Orion. The Orionids are expected to produce 10
- 15 meteors per hour and the best time to watch is between midnight and
dawn from October 20 - 22. For more information visit out webpage dedicated to
the Orioinds HERE or check out
pages 24 and 28 of the October issue of 'Astronomy & Space' magazine.
3.
Events
or
Tel (01) 847 0777
Mon-Sat