1. Irish Man Puts Down Roots in
Space
It's not often that we are lucky enough to get a
visit from a NASA scientist however, this Monday, May 11 we have the good
fortune of meeting not only a NASA scientist, but one who is Irish by
birth.
Dr. Anthony Heijenga
will deliver Astronomy Ireland's Summer Public
Lecture, discussing his ground breaking research in space involving
the Irish Shamrock plant. The Shamrock is a key element in Dr. Heijenga's
research which will pave the way for long-term residency in outer space. Dr.
Heijenga's ability to grow the Irish Shamrock in space will have an enormous
impact on the success of such long term human presence, which will require
sustainable plant growth and the generation of clean, breathable air.
Dr. Heijenga has conducted experiments on
satellites, space shuttles, MIR and the ISS and in May 1996 the first specimens
of the Irish Shamrock plant were grown in space. Dr. Heijenga and his
experiments are a credit to international space research, and
also make a notable contribution to Irish scientific research.
This exciting lecture takes place at 8pm this
Monday, May 11 in the Physics Building, Trinity College Dublin, more details
available HERE.
Tickets are 7euro (non-members) or 5euro
(members and concessions).
A DVD of the lecture will be available for
purchase for everyone all over Ireland at a cost of 7euro (plus
5euro p&p).
To book your tickets for this lecture click HERE
To order the DVD of this lecture click HERE
Social Meeting & ISS
Viewing
There will be a social session with Dr. Heijenga immediately
after the lecture in The Lombard, Pearse St., from where we will hopefully
see the ISS pass over at about 10:50pm. Please join us there.
2. Education and Outreach Programme
There has been an excellent response to
our recently launched Schools'
Lecture Programme. If you are a parent, teacher or pupil and would like a
visit to your school please click www.astronomy.ie/outreach, call
Ciara or Joseph on (01) 847
0777 or email sec@astronomy.ie.
3. Viewing Tips
There are several special events in Irish
skies in the next few days:
- Saturn is well placed for evening viewing high in
the South. It's moons are putting on spectacular once-in-15-year displays
right now.
- There is a Full Moon on Saturday
- Antares is just 2 degrees to upper right of Moon
on Sunday night.
- Jupiter is in morning skies, closing in on Neptune
- closest on May 17!
- Venus and Mars are close but low in morning
skies.
See Sky Diary pages of our magazine (only 5euro inc. p&p) for
diagrams and lots more details all month long!
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