Cork * Galway * Dublin Astronomy Ireland, as part of its new initiative to organise and promote more events throughout the country, is proud to announce the first in a series of countrywide lectures. This pilot scheme begins with lectures in Cork, Galway and Dublin by the renowned author Dr. Stuart Clarke. This event is being organised for members throughout the country so please support the society by coming along. It's also a chance to meet amateur astronomers and other interested people in your part of the country. Very soon we hope to announce another lecture tour of the country by another well known speaker. The pilot scheme begins with the following exciting event: The Day the Sun Attacked the Earth In September 1859, our planet was battered by a blob of superheated gas, spat out during the most violent solar flare in recorded history. When the superheated gas collided with our atmosphere, the northern lights were seen as far south as the Caribbean! Around the world telegraph systems crashed, machines burst into flames, and electric shocks rendered operators unconscious. Compasses and other sensitive instruments reeled as if struck by a massive magnetic fist. These bizarre effects caused a huge debate among astronomers, many of whom doubted that the Sun could affect the Earth this way across a distance of 150 million km. The 1859 solar flare was the most widely observed astronomical event in history, but until this year it was largely forgotten. Interest in the event has been revived because 2007 is the International Heliophysical Year - with teams of astronomers across the world cooperating in the study of our local star, upon which all life on Earth depends. A new book about the 1859 event has recently been published. The Sun Kings: The Unexpected Tragedy of Richard Carrington and the Tale of How Modern Astronomy Began, was written by Stuart Clark, European Space Agency science writer, former editor of the British magazine Astronomy Now, and one of the UK's best known popular science authors. His book also reveals new details about the sordid scandal that destroyed Richard Carrington's reputation and led him from the highest echelons of science to the lowest reaches of love, villainy and revenge. Dr Clarke is doing a promotional lecture tour and book signing for Astronomy Ireland in Cork, Galway and Dublin this August, appearing at the following venues - August 13 (Monday) 8pm Millennium Hall, Cork. August 14 (Tuesday) 8pm Arts Millennium Building - NUI Galway August 15 (Wednesday) 8pm Trinity College Dublin - Physics Building These lectures have been organised by Astronomy Ireland, in association with NUI Galway and Cork Institute of Technology. Admission: 5 euro (3 euro to AI members, Under 18's, OAP's) Organiser: Astronomy Ireland Tickets are available at the door or visit www.astronomy.ie or call Astronomy Ireland on (01) 847 0777 ALL WELCOME Book Signing: Copies of Dr. Clark's book will be available at the venues for 25 euro each and the author will be more than happy to sign a copy for you. DVD available: If you are unable to make it to any of the venues a copy of the lecture will be available on DVD for only 5 Euro each (plus P&P). You can order these now online at www.astronomy.ie and click 'Lecture DVDs' in the menu on the left-hand-side. If you are not already a member of Astronomy Ireland and receiving our full colour monthly magazine you can join here: www.astronomy.ie/sub Astronomy Ireland www.astronomy.ie Telescope Advice Monday to Saturday: Tel (01) 847 0777 (Ask for new catalogue)