Tonight, June 17th, the Moon will be located next to the planet Mars in the Western Sky after sunset. As Mars moves around the sky it is moving closer to the Sun and becoming more difficult to see, so this is an excellent opportunity to see it before it disappears. Also, to the left of the Moon and Mars you will be able to see Saturn. All three objects will look spectacular when viewed through a telescope or binoculars and you may even be able to observe the large moons of Saturn. Click HERE for a graphic of what you can expect to see later.

For more information on what to see in the night sky this week check out the Sky Diary section in the June issue of 'Astronomy & Space' magazine. Don't forget to email what you see to observe@astronomy.ie and we will try to publish your pictures and observations in forthcoming issues of the magazine.

This Saturday, June 19th, Astronomy Ireland will host a very special Sun Watch to give members of the public an opportunity to get a close look at our parent star! The Sun Watch will take place at 1pm at Astronomy Ireland's offices in Butterly Business Park in Artane, Dublin 5. The Sun is emerging from a 'century-class minimum' where the Sun experienced long periods of very little activity. This year, however, the Sun's surface is beginning to have outbursts of sunspots and massive solar flares.

At the Sun Watch, you will have the opportunity to observe any sunspots close up using special equipment that allows for the safe viewing of the Sun. Astronomy Ireland staff will also be at hand to answer any questions you have about the Sun, astronomy, or any of the telescopes and equipment that you will be using. This is a free event, and an ideal way to do some daytime astronomy with friends and family. For more information click HERE.

Next Monday, June 21st, the Summer Solstice occurs. This is well-known as the longest day of the year, and as viewed in the sky, the Sun will travel along its highest path. After this date, the Sun will gradually travel lower in the sky as we approach winter. Astronomical calendrical events such as the solstices and equinoxes have been observed by civilisations for thousands of years - Stonehenge in England is aligned with the rising Sun on the Summer Solstice, while in Ireland, Newgrange is aligned with the rising Sun on the Winter Solstice. On Monday, the Sun will rise at 4:56am and set at 21:57pm; the Solstice occurs at 11:28am. The day will last 17 hours, 1 minute and 26 seconds.

The Irish Astronomical Association and the Ulster Archaeological Society, in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, will be holding an event this Saturday, June 19th, to mark the summer solstice. The event will include a visit to Ballynoe Stone Circle, near Downpatrick, Co Down - the largest and most impressive and complex stone circle in Northern Ireland, and one of the biggest in Ireland. The event will begin at the stone circle at 2pm where there will be talks about the archaeology and possible astronomical connections. The activities will then proceed to the nearby beach at Minerstown for a barbecue / picnic (in the case of bad weather, there are two local pubs for refreshments). For more information and directions to Ballynoe Stone Circle email TerryMosel@aol.com or visit www.irishastro.org.

A pair of spectacles were found in The Lombard following our public lecture there on Monday, June 14th. Please contact sec@astronomy or call (01) 847 0777 if you think you may have misplaced a pair of glasses.