1. Nationwide Jupiter Watches
On Wednesday, January 26th, Astronomy Ireland will be hosting a number of Nationwide Jupiter Watches beginning at 7pm. Jupiter is an amazing sight in a good quality telescope. and we encourage everyone to come along with friends and family to these free events and see Jupiter through some of Ireland's most powerful telescopes.
For more information and to check your nearest Watch click HERE. Please note Watches will go ahead regardless of weather.
2. 'Astronomy For Beginners' Evening Classes February 2011
On Wednesday, February 2nd, the first class of our spring set of ‘Astronomy for Beginners’ classes takes place. The course is professionally developed by the Astronomy Ireland team, and is suitable for anyone with an interest in astronomy that wants a good grounding in this fantastic hobby.
The course is given over 8 weeks and covers topics such as: An 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.
This year we will have classes running in ten locations around the country.
Classes take place each Wednesday from 7:30pm, for more information visit www.astronomy.ie/class.
3. Star Grazes the Moon
Tonight (Tuesday) from 8pm, the Moon will pass close to the star Mekbuda, almost 1,200 light-years from Earth, in the constellation Gemini. The pair will be at their closest at approximately 8:40pm, and will be an absolutely stunning view through binoculars or a telescope. We urge you to try to take a photo of this event, and send your pictures to gallery@astronomy.ie for inclusion in Astronomy & Space.
4. Astronomy on Lyric FM
Every Monday night at 10.45pm on RTÉ lyric fm, The Blue of the Night's resident astronomer Francis McCarthy from Blackrock Observatory in Cork turns her gaze skywards to explore the science, myths and wonder of the night sky. Francis talks about everything from the Sloan Sky Survey (a daunting undertaking with over 1.5 millions galaxies and quasars to examine) to cosmic partner swapping for Valentine’s Day!
WITS (What is the stars) is repeated on Friday’s Blue of the Night at 10.45pm and is also available as a podcast (click HERE)
The Blue of the Night is on from 10pm – 1am seven nights a week on RTÉ lyric fm and is presented by Carl Corcoran from Monday to Thursday, while Eamonn Lenihan presents Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
The world's most popular Astronomy Club
www.astronomy.ie