1. David
Southwood: "European Space Science And
Exploration"
On Monday we're bringing the Trillion Dollar Man to
Ireland for you - will you be there?
Perhaps the most important person we have ever
brought to Ireland will be giving a Public Lecture on March 16 in TCD. David
Southwood is the Director of Science at the European Space Agency and as such is
responsible for finding out the age of the universe, was Einstein right, is
there life on Mars, where in the Universe is the next planet that has life
on it, and much, much more.
The ESA has successfully landed on other worlds,
flown through Halley's Comet, launched giant space telescopes, shares the Hubble
Space Telescope and the ISS with NASA, and more. Its plans for the future are
even more ambitious and the man at the top of all this space exploration will
give a talk in Ireland that we want each and everyone of you to attend.
Some of his
missions include:
...to
name but a few!
This lecture is a hugely anticipated event
and promises guests a fantastic and enthralling insight into the work of
the European Space Agency, how it has developed and where it will go in the 21st
Century. "We are exceptionally
lucky to have secured such an important speaker as Professor David Southwood
during IYA to explain how Europe is forging its place in space exploration,"
said David Moore, Chairman of Astronomy Ireland.
You can hear Prof. Southwood speak at 7:50am
Friday March 13 on 4FM (94FM / 104FM). You can listen online at www.4fm.ie.
The lecture takes place at 7:30pm, Monday March
16 in the Edmund Burke Theatre, Arts Building (note new bigger
venue), Trinity College Dublin. Tickets cost 5euro for members and 7euro
for non-members and are available online at www.astronomy.ie/lecture200903.html
or by
calling us on (01) 847 0777.
2. DVD For Everyone
In Ireland
We are delighted to make the DVD of the David Southwood lecture
available to
everyone in Ireland to make this a truly national event. For
those who cannot make it to Trinity College on the night, the DVD
costs just 7euro (plus p&p), the same price as a ticket, and can be ordered
online at
www.astronomy.ie//lectureDVD.html
or by calling (01) 847 0777.
3. Limerick Evening
Classes
Do you know how the Universe was born?
Did you know that you are made of almost 50% comet juice? Did you know that
the Zinc in your body, which you need to live, was created by an
exploding
star?
The Astronomy Ireland Evening Classes
will answer all these questions and more and begin in Limerick
on March 19 at 7:30pm.
These classes are suitable for people of all ages and abilities.
There is no complex mathematics involved or any other
educational requirement for these classes. Learn about the pioneers of
astronomy and their painful history, the mysterious world of dark energy, dark
matter and black holes, how our Solar System was formed, how a telescope works
and much, much more.
The classes cost 180euro and includes membership to Astronomy
Ireland and an annual subscription to our full-colour magazine, Astronomy
& Space. Our monthly magazine gives all the
latest national and international news, and is packed full of features, photos
and a diary of spectacular celestial events that everyone can see for the coming
month. Fully paid up members get 50euro discount on the evening classes, costing
only 130euro. Be sure to book online now at www.astronomy.ie/class/limerick.html or over the phone on (01) 847 0777, as bookings
cannot be taken on the
night!
4. Astronomy Ireland Member
Discovers Second Asteroid
Astronomy Ireland member, David Grennan has
made history by becoming the first Irish person to discover 2
asteroids. David made the remarkable discovery on Sunday, March 1. The
asteroid is over quarter of a million times fainter than the human eye can
see (mag. 19.6) and is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter,
over twice as far from the Sun as Earth. It measures
approximately 3 - 4 km in diameter and is provisionally named 2009 EN1. David
will get to name the new asteroid in the near future.
David discovered his first asteroid in October
2008, which was one of the first asteroids discovered from Ireland in 160
years. Full details will appear in our magazine and you can see the
discovery images HERE.
5. Venus Bows Out, And
FREE Venus Watch
The planet Venus is visible in the night sky
for the next week only, after which it will drop off rapidly below the horizon.
Venus is visible as a huge crescent in the evening
sky around sunset.This twilight phenomenon is not to be
missed. Astronomy Ireland urge you to take out your telescope or binoculars
to view this remarkable celestial sight, as you will not see Venus as such
a huge evening crescent for another 3 years!
On Thursday
and Friday this week (March 12 & 13), Astronomy Ireland will hold FREE Venus Watches for everyone
at our Telescope
Shop in Butterly Business Park, Kilmore Road, Artane,
Dublin 5. See the huge Crescent Venus for yourself, from 5 - 7pm at our premises
each evening, in some of the most powerful telescopes in Ireland.
If you can't get to Dublin but would like to get your own telescope to
view Venus, or indeed the rest of the universe, you can contact our
shop staff for advice, 6 days a week, by emailing sales@astronomy.ie, or by calling
(01) 847 0777.