1. Tens of Thousands of New Solar Systems to be Found

In August next year, Gaia will launch into space and will monitor with pinpoint accuracy the positions of a billion stars in our galaxy, the Milky Way. Over five years, Gaia will build an extremely detailed, three-dimensional map of the galaxy. The mission is expected to discover tens of thousands of solar systems throughout the Milky Way, and will detect up to half a million quasars, mysterious high-energy objects buried within distant galaxies. As it picks out new planets it may even find Earth-like planets warm enough to sustain life.

Dr Nicholas Walton of Cambridge University will deliver Astronomy Ireland's November Public Lecture in Trinity College Dublin on Monday, November 12th at 8pm, where he will give a background to this exciting new mission and what we can expect to discover about the Milky Way over the coming years.

For tickets and DVDs, please click HERE or call (01) 890 11 11

2. Northern Lights Tour to Norway - Last Day to Book!

Following this year's successful trip to Norway to see the northern lights, we have teamed up with Project Travel again to give you another opportunity to see this fantastic natural phenomenon!

There is still just time to book a place on Astronomy Ireland's Northern Lights Tour to Norway from February 17th to 21st next year. Non-members are welcome to join the special Tromsø-based package which includes a full programme of Northern Lights related tours, flights and accommodation.

On the trip we will visit Tromsø to explore its surroundings, its history, and of course, the northern lights. Travellers will have the opportunity to visit the Science Centre & Planetarium, to go dog-sledding, to take an aurora photography workshop, and much, much more!

Today (Friday, November 9th) is the last day to pay the deposit of €350 for this tour, so if you're thinking of going, please act quickly and don't miss out!

For more details, a full itinerary, and booking details, please visit www.astronomy.ie/norway

3. Get Ready for Christmas!

The Astronomy Ireland Shop has a number of excellent special offers on telescopes for the run up to Christmas, including the Astromaster 130EQ for €199 (was €229) and the NexStar 8SE with a free Power Tank for €1649 (was €1848). For more details click HERE or call the Shop on (01) 890 11 11. Remember, we're taking deposits on all Christmas telescopes and equipment, so call us and see what we can do for you!

Astronomy Ireland is now also taking orders for gift memberships, season lecture/DVD tickets, and more, making ideal gifts for a loved one with an interest in astronomy and space. To find out about our Christmas gifts for as little as €40 click HERE.

4. Weekly Telescope Nights

Astronomy Ireland's weekly free telescope nights have begun again, and take place each Friday night at 8pm at the Astronomy Ireland Shop in Airside Enterprise Centre, Swords, Co Dublin.

Members of the public are invited to come along, regardless of age or previous experience, making the telescope nights a fantastic evening out for all the family!

For details and a map to the Astronomy Ireland Shop, visit www.astronomy.ie/scopenight/

Note that these telescope nights are weather-dependent so be sure to check this webpage each Friday afternoon for a weather update and to find out whether the telescope night will go ahead that evening.

5. Man on the Moon Art Exhibition to be Opened by David Moore

Astronomy Ireland member, Frank O'Dea teams up with fellow Dublin artist, Pervaneh Matthews at Balla Bán Art Gallery, Westbury Mall, Dublin in November for an exhibition entitled Man on the Moon and will take place in conjunction with Science Week 2012 whose theme this year is everyday experimenting.

Perhaps the greatest experiment known to mankind was to put a man on the Moon and only twelve men have ever walked on the surface on the Moon. With the death of Neil Armstrong this year, only eight are still alive. One day in the near future there will be none: no one on Earth who has set foot on the moon. Artist, Pervaneh Matthews has encaptured the twelve men in her sepia watercolours on line board and these are complimented by a selection of lunar landscape oil paintings by Frank which also feature tiny pieces of actual lunar meteroite embedded into the artwork. So, not only can you have a beautiful lunar landscape hanging on your wall but also a piece of the Moon itself!

Come along for the official opening wine & cheese reception on Thursday, November 15th (5:30pm to 7pm) at the Gallery and Court Yard to be opened by Chairman of Astronomy Ireland, David Moore. Exhibition continues until the end of November.

Venue: Balla Bán Art Gallery, Westbury Mall, Dublin 2, Ireland
Dates: November 10th to 30th
Official Opening: Thursday 15th November 5:30pm to 7:00pm

For more information please visit the Balla Bán Art Gallery website at www.ballaban.net