Just after sunset on Tuesday August 21,
everyone in Ireland will be treated to a rare celestial alignment involving the
Moon, the planet Jupiter and the brightest
star in the constellation Scorpius, known as Antares. All three
are grouped very close together, and will be visible with the naked eye across
Ireland.
Astronomy Ireland will be assembling some of the largest
portable telescopes in Dublin's Phoenix Park and several venues nationwide.
Members of the public can get once-in-a-lifetime views of the Solar System's
biggest planet by coming along to one of our "Jupiter Watches"
on the night - see details below. Everyone is welcome.
At present Jupiter is high in the south and is visible at
very convenient times . The views will also include the planet's
cloud belts and largest moons as indicated in the August issue of
"Astronomy & Space" magazine. Further details and a picture of what the
equipment on show can achieve is available at www.astronomy.ie and click on the link
to "Nationwide Jupiter Watches"
For Tuesday's "Jupiter Watch" no ticket
is needed - just wrap up warm and get yourself along to one of the following at
9:00pm -
Dublin - Papal Cross Car
Park, Phoenix Park, Dublin.
Cork
- Centrepark Road,
Cork.
Dundalk - Millennium Statue,
Blackrock, Dundalk.
Donegal - Front car park, Letterkenny IT,
Letterkenny
Astronomy Ireland also has branches in Clare, Clonmel,
Castlebar, Co. Down, Mullingar, Sligo and Waterford. If you'd like to set up a
Branch in your area, please email director@astronomy.ie
2. Hear us on
2FM
On the morning of the Jupiter Watches (Aug 21) tune in to
2FM's Gerry Ryan Show (hosted by Marty Whelan) to hear our own Emmet Mordaunt
talking about the cover story on our September issue of
"Astronomy & Space" magazine - Global Warming - it's not The
Sun. You can order the magazine (with lots more stories, what to
see, and more) at www.astronomy.ie/sub
for just 5euro incl P&P or subscribe for a year and save 20euro at www.astronomy.ie/sub
3.
STAR-B-Q
If this spectacular celestial show whets your appetite,
you can gorge yourself on the wonders of the cosmos at our "Star-B-Q" in
Roundwood GAA Club, Co. Wicklow on 8 September. This is a professionally catered
barbeque under very dark skies where we will be able to show you the wonders of
the universe in all their glory and with even bigger telescopes, in
fact, with the largest assembly of telescopes in the country. There will
be talks on astronomy (in the adjacent GAA Hall) and much more. Tickets for
the Star-B-Q can be booked by going to - www.astronomy.ie/sbq and we want you to
get as many friends and family to come along.
4. Space Station &
Endeavour
There are still a few more nights to see the
biggest man made object ever assembled in space crossing Irish skies: call
1550-111-442 (calls cost 95c/min) or text SPACE to 57003 (1euro per reminder,
sent 1 hour before they fly over)
5. Perseid Reports
Hundreds of
Perseids have been seen but only a handful of you have emailed observe@astronomy.ie today if you saw
even one so we can include you in our magazine report that will go on record as
Ireland's sightings of the 2007 Perseids for all time.