20 Months Membership Offer 2010 Events DVDs Shop 1. 'Astronomy For Beginners' Evening Classes October 2010 Our 'Astronomy For Beginners' classes will commence again at locations nationwide this October. The course, professionally developed by the Astronomy Ireland team, is aimed towards the general public. With a style that is informal and questions encouraged, this course is suitable for anyone with an interest in astronomy that wants a good grounding in this fantastic hobby without any complicated mathematical content or complex data. The course is given over a period of 8 weeks and covers topics such as: Introduction to the night sky, The Sun and the Moon, The Planets and Stars, The History of Astronomy, Telescopes, Deep Sky Objects and The Big Bang Classes take place each week from 7:30 - 9:30pm (including a 15 minute break) with the first class and registration taking place on Thursday, October 7th. This year, we will have classes running in the following ten locations: Athlone, Cork, Dublin, Dundalk, Galway, Letterkenny, Limerick, Sligo, Tralee and Waterford. Classes cost 180euro (members rate 130euro) and include membership to Astronomy Ireland and a subscription to our magazine, 'Astronomy & Space'. As 2010 marks our 20th anniversary when you sign up for evening classes this year you will get 20 months membership instead of 12 - that's 8 free magazines! Places must be booked in advance to don't delay - book your spot today! To enrol for the classes you can call us on (01) 847 0777, alternatively click the link below to enrol online. For more information visit www.astronomy.ie/class. CLICK HERE TO ENROL 2. Daytime Sun Watch This Saturday The Astronomy Ireland Shop will host a very special Sun Watch on Saturday, between 3pm and 4:30pm, at the Astronomy Ireland headquarters in Artane, Dublin 5 (click HERE for a map). Using very powerful telescopes and special solar filters, you will be able to see lots of details on the surface of our parent star, the Sun, including huge sunspots that are bigger than the planet Earth! Our specially-trained staff will be able to answer your questions about the Sun and astronomy, and will also be able to give you tips and advice on astronomical equipment. 3. Astronomy Tips This Week a.. Tonight is a Full Moon, and binoculars will reveal the vast maria that were once believed to have been oceans. b.. Venus blazes in the evening skies after sunset, and Mars and Saturn hold pride of place in the Southern skies. c.. For more information on what to see in the night sky this week check out the Sky Diary section in the May 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. 4. Events May 29th - Sun Watch, Astronomy Ireland Headquarters, Dublin June 14th - Black Holes, the LHC and the God Particle Public Lecture (Dublin) October 10th - 'Astronomy For Beginners' Evening Classes (Nationwide) Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe ) Our Online Telescope Shop