03-Dec-03 Astronomy Ireland Press Notices Tel (01) 847 0777 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHRISTMAS STAR IN THE SKY TONIGHT to be subject of the 2003 CHRISTMAS LECTURE ====================== "The Star of Bethlehem Mystery" by Prof David Hughes from Sheffield University (on Monday December 8 in D.C.U. at 8pm) Astronomy Ireland is getting an increasing number of calls asking what is the extremely bright NEW star low in the southwest just after sunset? Is it the Christmas Star? Does it always appear at Christmas? And if not, what was the Star of Bethlehem. The answer is that the 'star' is in fact the brilliant planet Venus, which is moving toward the Earth. As Christmas nears the 'star' will get higher and brighter and hover in the sky each evening confusing millions. But there was a real 'Christmas Star', over 2,000 years ago. It was not Venus however. Only in relatively recent times has it become possible to pin down the date of Christ's birth. Using astronomy, a special coming together of two brilliant planets in a way that only happens every 800 years, and was particularly unique 2,000 years ago, has made it possible to determine the mostly likely date of the birth of Jesus Christ. This remarkable discovery was published in a book by Prof David Hughes from Sheffield University. "It is one of, if not the most fascinating books I have ever read" said David Moore Chairman of Astronomy Ireland. "We are honoured that the author of 'The Star of Bethlehem Mystery' is coming to Ireland to give our CHRISTMAS LECTURE for 2003, especially with this other very bright object in this year's Christmas sky" he said. "Prof Hughes will take the audience on a tour of the Bible, the Middle East, History sources, and astronomical events, arriving at one overwhelming conclusion as to what 'His Star' referred to in the Bible must have been. From there we can pinpoint the date of Christ's Birth" "When I read the book I was overwhelmed by the research and significance of the work. It deserves a wider audience." "Sadly, Prof Hughes and a TV crew were the only ones who celebrated Christ's birth in Bethlehem on the exact 2,000th anniversary. The rest of us all got it wrong. As he will explain at the Lecture". "This is sure to be one of the most memorable Christmas Lectures ever organised by the Society and we are urging everyone to come and hear for themselves the research that has led to this conclusion." Everyone is welcome to come along to the Henry Grattan Building (next to The Helix) in Dublin City University on MONDAY DECEMBER 8 at 8pm. Seats SHOULD BE booked on (01) 847 0777 and all are welcome. Admission 5euro. For further details and a map of DCU click here before the lecture: http://www.astronomy.ie/nextlecture.html This is a VERY special lecture by an International Speaker and World Authority on this subject so do book your seats early. There will be our traditional Christmas drinks in a nearby hostelry if you want to plan to stay on afterwards. Copies of David Hughes excellent video "The Christmas Star" will be on sale at the event. Or call to get one posted to you now. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The International Space Station is blazing across the sky every night this week and next week. It looks like a very bright 'star' for a couple minutes as it passes over and can be up to 100 times brighter than the brightest stars in the sky. So you won't have any trouble spotting it as long as you go out and look up at the correct time, which is different each evening. The best way to get the most accurate prediction is by calling our premium rate Newslines on: 1550-111-442 in the Republic of Ireland (74c/min) 09001-88-19 50 in Northern Ireland & Britain (60p/min) We update these Newslines by 12noon each day giving the time to see ISS that night. Please forward this on to anyone you think might be interest in seeing a genuine space ship! On board at present are space veterans Mike Foale and Alexander Kaleri who arrived in mid October and will spend six months on board i.e.over Christmas and New Year. Give them a wave! Read the I.S.S. column in our magazine every month. More I.S.S. background is on our website http://www.astronomy.ie/iss.html Merry Christmas, and I hope to see all of you that live in the Leinster area at least at the Christmas Lecture, and maybe for drinks afterwards! ===== David Moore BSc FRAS, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland, P.O.Box 2888, Dublin 5. ASTRONOMY SHOP: open until 6pm Mon.-Sat. IRELAND'S BIGGEST *AND BEST* TELESCOPE SHOP Tel (01) 847 0777. www.astronomy.ie (Subscribe to our FREE emailing list)