Astronomy
Ireland will appear on RTE Television's The Afternoon Show this Monday,
March 22, in a special feature which focuses on the planet Mars,
a Mars Watch, and specific telescopes which are recommended for viewing the
Red Planet. On the show, you will see Astronomy Ireland members gather with
their telescope at a night-time observing session to view the planet. Astronomy
Ireland Chairman, David Moore, will be interviewed, and will speak extensively
about Mars, how to observe the planet this month, and which telescopes are best
for viewing. Tune in to RTE One this Monday to see the feature. Don't worry, if
you miss it this Monday it will be available to view on our website early next week.
All this takes place during the month of
March which we devoted entirely to the planet Mars which is ideal for
observation in the night sky. As part of Mars Month our next big
event takes place next Thursday, March 25 - Mars, Moon and Saturn
Watch. The Watch will take place at various locations nationwide and we
encourage all of you to come along to this free event and see Mars, the Moon and
Saturn through some of Ireland's most powerful telescopes. For more information
and to check the location of your nearest Watch click HERE.
To download a Sky Map for March 25 click
HERE and for
other free Mars downloads click HERE.
2. New Planet
Found
Astronomers have discovered a new planet
approximately the size of Jupiter orbiting a distant star outside of our solar
system. The planet, detected by the CoRoT space telescope, an
initiative lead by the French Space Agency (CNES), could help develop a
better understanding of 'exoplanets', planets around other stars. To read
more about this exciting discovery click HERE.
3. Astronomy Tips This
Week
Saturday, March 20, sees the
Vernal Equinox, the astronomical mid-point between the
Solstices. Observers will get to see a thin crescent Moon
near the horizon at sunset.
This week just after sunset, the
bright planet Venus is venturing higher into the
sky as it becomes the "Evening Star".
In the West and South,
Saturn and Mars, respectively, will be
placed at nice locations in the sky for observers. These make amazing targets
through a telescope.
For more information on what to see
in the night sky this week check out the Sky Diary
section in the March issue of 'Astronomy &
Space' magazine.
Don't forget to email what
you see to observe@astronomy.ie and we will try to publish
your pictures and observations in forthcoming issues of the magazine.