1. CHRISTMAS LECTURE (and DVD): Come along to Trinity College Dublin (Hamilton Building) on Monday Dec. 10 at 8pm to hear Tim O'Brien from Jodrell Bank (U.K.) talk about their search for intelligent life in the universe using one of the world's biggest radio telescopes! All welcome. Doors open 7:30pm when you can buy tickets at the door (5euro/3euro). Tim was booked to talk to Pat Kenny on RTE Radio 1 Monday morning 10am-noon. Details or order the DVD at www.astronomy.ie/lecture200712.html PLEASE BRING ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY! 2. CHRISTMAS TELESCOPES: Beware of all the alleged "high quality" telescopes offered by supermarkets and camera shops whether they are inexpensive or cost hundreds. Optical quality is the most important factor and you'll need lots of advice using them after you buy them if you want to see more than the Moon. Astronomy Ireland has the largest telescope shop in Ireland with the lowest prices for quality telescopes. If you are going to spend hundreds on a telescope wouldn't you want the backup and support of your national astronomy society? And why spend more? Call our Shop staff for the best prices and after sales support. No one in Ireland should need to buy their telescopes anywhere else is our motto - be it for price or support. Tel (01) 847 0777 seven days a week until Christmas. SUNDAY OPENING! Our Shop is now open 7 days a week: Mon-Fri 9:30am-5:30pm and Sat & Sun 10am-6pm With Mars now at its closest (until 2016) and Comet Holmes visible with the naked eye overhead there has never been a better time to own a telescope from Astronomy Ireland. 3. MARS & GEMINID WATCHES: Remember this Friday Dec. 14 sees the best shooting star shower of the year, the Geminids. We're setting up telescopes all around Ireland to show you Mars (and Comet Holmes) while watching the meteors. Details at www.astronomy.ie/marsgeminid.html 4. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION: The Shuttle mission due for launch to ISS this weekend has been postponed until January but you can still see I.S.S. blaze across the sky every night from Dec. 10 to Dec. 23rd. Call our Newslines on 1550-111-442 (Republic of Ireland: 95cent/minute) or 09001-88-1950 (U.K.: 60p/minute) Or text SPACE to 57003 for a reminder 1 hour before ISS flies over each night (each costs 1euro and proceeds help us promote astronomy in Ireland). Astronomy Ireland www.astronomy.ie Christmas Telescope Advice: Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat