1.  URANUS WATCH  /  TELESCOPE SHOW
 
Just a reminder that Uranus will make a rare close approach to the Moon Tuesday Nov. 28 and we are setting up telescopes all around Ireland at 8pm - see www.astronomy.ie
 
In Dublin in particular there will be a special Telescope Show run by our Telescope Shop - come along to the Phoenix Park if you want advice on a telescope for Christmas or call the number below.
 
We'll be there at 8pm regardless of weather (breaks in the clouds are all we need).
 
If you can't get to one of the Watches then get out your binoculars and become one of the few people in the world that have seen this distant giant planet. The diagram on the website shows how incredibly easy it is to locate Uranus thanks to the Moon on this one night only.
 
Of course it's only a line of sight effect, at 2,990 million km Uranus is 8,000 times further away than the Moon (370,500 km distant). Also, Uranus is 52,000 km wide, 15 times wider than the Moon (3,500km).
 
We want to hear from every one of you that attempts this sighting. Get the whole family out. Call all your friends and tell them to borrow binoculars if they have to. Send this email on to everyone you know.
 
Please tell us what you see by emailing observe@astronomy.ie
 
 
 
2.  LORD MAYOR TO OPEN ASTRO-EXPO
 
Ireland's biggest annual astronomical event will feature a huge display from the European South Observatory and in recognition of the magnitude of the event the Lord Mayor of Dublin has agreed to formally open the event.
 
We've had Deputy Mayor's and astronauts open previous Astro-Expos but this is the first time the city's first citizen has performed the ceremony so we would like you all to be there.
 
Astro-Expo is a (free) all day exhibition,  a series of 4 talks,  and the Christmas Dinner, which sees members of Astronomy Ireland and the general public travel from all parts of Ireland to Dublin once a year for one amazing day (and night) of astronomy and socialising.
 
Book your Christmas Dinner (and lecture tickets if you wish) on www.astronomy.ie or call (01) 847 0777 as soon as possible
 
 
 
 
 
 
ASTRONOMY IRELAND  -  for telescopes and information
 
call  (01) 847 0777