Adam
Vaughn from Co Dublin was selected as the winner of the Irish section of the
EU-wide Galileo Project Drawing Competition with his piece entitled The
Solar System. Adam will now have a satellite navigation spacecraft named
after him: the Galileo-IOV Adam is due to be launched later this
year.
The
Galileo Project is a European satellite navigation system that will consist of
27 satellites orbiting Earth, with three extra spare satellites. The
constellation of satellites will provide accurate location details primarily for
transport use, but also for emergency rescue situations. Each satellite will be
named after one child from each of the 27 EU Member States via a series of
drawing competitions taking place in each country.
Adam
met with David Moore of Astronomy Ireland, Barbara Nolan of the European
Commission Representation in Ireland, and the well-known environmentalist and
artist Don Conroy at the Astronomy Ireland headquarters in Swords, Co Dublin, to
be presented with his prize. Showing their support at the presentation were
Adam's family, his teacher, and his classmates, along with representatives from
Astronomy Ireland and Keating & Associates.
For a
report and some photographs of the day's celebrations, please click HERE.
Astronomy
Ireland wishes to congratulate Adam on winning this amazing prize!
2. Stargazing Live Telescope
Watches
Between
4pm and 6pm, Monday to Saturday, Astronomy Ireland will have some very powerful
telescopes set up for you to use at its premises at Unit A8, Airside Enterprise
Centre, Swords, Co Dublin.
Of all
the stunning sights you will see, the most amazing one will be the huge planet
Jupiter. Through the telescopes you will get to see its thick cloud belts and
Great Red Spot, a storm which has been raging for centuries. Not only that, but
you will also be able to easily see its four largest moons, known as the
Galilean Moons, named after Galileo who saw them first over 400 years
ago.
For
more information on the Telescope Watches please click HERE or call us on (01)
890 11 11.
3. Astronomy
Ireland on TV - Northern Lights
David
Moore appeared on the RTE programmes News2Day and
Elev8 recently to explain the phenomenon of aurora borealis, also
known as the Northern Lights.
Over the coming years,
activity on the surface of the Sun will increase, thereby increasing the chances
of aurorae being visible. If a particularly strong burst of particles comes
hurtling through space from the Sun towards Earth, it may even be possible for
observers in Ireland to see the spectacular sight! Astronomy Ireland will alert
people via this email list and on www.astronomy.ie if such an occurrence may
happen. Note that only 2-3 days notice can be given if the aurorae are likely to
be visible.
To watch David on these
episodes of News2Day and Elev8, simply go to www.astronomy.ie/tv. Other appearances are
also available to watch on that webpage.