Christmas Gifts <http://astronomy.ie/gifts.html> Evening Classes <http://www.astronomy.ie/class/class1011.php> <http://astronomy.ie/sub/index.html> Membership <http://astronomy.ie/shop/CPC/index.html> Shop 1. Why Is Pluto Not A Planet? In 2006 a meeting was held among members of the International Astronomical Union, who are responsible for naming planets. At this point in time it was becoming clear that our Solar System was populated by many more objects than just the usual nine planets. Many of these were much bigger than Mercury and Pluto, yet still they weren't considered a planet. Astronomers at the meeting rewrote the definition of a planet, and as a result, Pluto was 'demoted' from being a planet to a mere dwarf planet. The voting that took place was overseen by, a world-famous astronomer from Belfast, who will deliver Astronomy Ireland's Christmas Lecture on December 12th to explain to the general public just why Pluto is no longer a planet. Tickets for the lecture are only €7 (€5 members rate), and can be ordered online at www.astronomy.ie or by calling (01) 890 11 11. The lecture takes place in Trinity College Dublin <http://www.tcd.ie/Maps/map.php> , on Monday, December 12th at 8pm. There will be a social reception afterwards in The Lombard Inn with complimentary food. BOOK TICKETS <https://astro1.securesites.com/sub/201112lectickets.htm> ORDER DVD <http://www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.php> 2. Sunday Opening Hours To celebrate Astronomy Ireland’s first Christmas at our new location, in Airside Enterprise Centre, Swords, the Astronomy Ireland Shop <http://astronomy.ie/shop/> will be open from 10am to 6pm this and every Sunday until Christmas. The Astronomy Ireland Shop will offer a FREE one year membership to Astronomy Ireland with all telescopes purchased between now and Christmas. Click HERE <http://www.astronomy.ie/christmaskids2011.php> for more information. 3. RIA Biennial McCrea Lecture The Royal Irish Academy biennial lecture will be held on Friday, December 9th. The guest lecture will be Professor Luke Drury, who will give a talk entitled ‘The Hundred Year Mystery of Cosmic Rays’, where Professor Drury will outline the history of Cosmic Ray Astronomy and then focus on recent developments as well as the future projects that are being discussed at the moment. Admission to the lecture is free, but booking is essential. You can your tickets HERE. <http://www.ria.ie/events/events-listing/royal-irish-academy-biennial-mccrea-lecture-2011.aspx> The lecture will take place in the Schrodinger Lecture Theatre, Trinity College Dublin, on Friday, December 9 at 6pm. For more information contact the Royal Irish Academy on (01) 6762570 4. New School Speakers Needed for Waterford/Wexford and Dublin Area Astronomy Ireland needs Dublin Education Officers, and an Education officer to cover the Waterford/Wexford area. If you have a background in science, a good knowledge of astronomy and teaching experience then we would like to hear from you. Education officers will travel to schools in their area and deliver high-quality presentations to the students. We are looking for people with creative ideas for teaching astronomy. We are looking for passionate speakers who will bring astronomy to life for children. We believe astronomy can be used as a tool to excite children about science and result in a greater uptake of science and maths at second and third level education. We are particularly interested in hearing from Irish speakers and people living in the Dublin/Wicklow, and Waterford/Wexford area Application is by C.V. Closing date for submissions are Friday 9th December 2011. Please send C.V. to cliona@astronomy.ie Successful applicants will be required to attend an interview and present a PowerPoint presentation. 5. Astronomy Tips · Mars is up high in the south at 6:30am before sunrise, perfect for early risers. · Venus visible just before sunset hovering just above the south-western horizon. · Jupiter is still blazing brightly in the evening skies, moving from east to west throughout the night. · For more information on what to see in the night sky this week check out the Sky Diary section in the November issue of <http://www.astronomy.ie/magazine.php> 'Astronomy & Space' magazine. Don't forget to email what you see to <mailto:observe@astronomy.ie> observe@astronomy.ie and we will try to publish your pictures and observations in forthcoming issues of the magazine. <http://www.astronomy.ie/> Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club <http://www.astronomy.ie/> www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe <http://lists.redbrick.dcu.ie/mailman/listinfo/astronomy> )