Christmas Gifts <http://www.astronomy.ie/gifts> Membership <http://www.astronomy.ie/sub/index.html> DVD <http://www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.php> 1. Christmas Gifts Astronomy Ireland has a number of great gift ideas for loved ones who are interested in astronomy. They’re an ideal way to get started in our wonderful hobby and to learn about space. These include: * Membership to Astronomy Ireland * Our Evening Classes for Beginners * Membership with tickets to or DVDs of our lectures To find out more and to order your Christmas gift please visit www.astronomy.ie/gifts 2. Moon and Jupiter The Moon will be placed next to Jupiter tonight and tomorrow in a beautiful conjunction in the eastern sky. Jupiter is a bright star-like object, and you can use the Moon as a ‘signpost’ to find the planet. For more information please see the Sky Diary in this month’s issue of Astronomy Ireland <http://www.astronomy.ie/join> magazine. Email your observation reports to observe@astronomy.ie so we can include them in a future issue of the magazine. 3. International Space Station Blazes Over Ireland The International Space Station is visible over Ireland in the evenings until the end of December. There are currently six astronauts on board the spacecraft, and because it’s usually very easy to see, we recommend that everyone goes out to see it! It will look like a bright, moving ‘star’ in the south and southwest. Space science author Brian Harvey writes a monthly column about the International Space Station in Astronomy Ireland magazine, so be sure to read that to get the latest updates. The times the ISS will be visible will be put online each afternoon on www.astronomy.ie/iss. To get a text reminder each day the ISS is visible, text the word SPACE to 57003 (each text received costs €1; proceeds help us promote astronomy and science in Ireland). 4. Venus at its Highest Have you spotted a bright ‘star’ towards the west after sunset? No, it’s not the Christmas Star, but it is the planet Venus! Venus is at its highest in the sky this week making this the best time to see it. Soon, it will begin to move closer to the Sun making it more difficult to spot. The planet is very ease to find in the sky as it’s so bright. Simply look towards where the Sun sets and you should find it blazing brightly. Again, be sure to let us know what you see by emailing observe@astronomy.ie. 5. New Year Lecture: Einstein and the Expanding Universe In the New Year our special guest lecturer Dr Cormac O’Raifeartaigh will explain the Big Bang and the evolution of the entire universe we see around us. The lecture takes place on Monday, January 13th at 8pm in Trinity College Dublin. The lecture is suitable for the general public but we urge you to book early, as this is a major public lecture to kick off the 2013 lecture programme, and we expect it to be very popular! Order tickets and DVDs on our website HERE <http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture201401.php> . 6. Comet Lovejoy Spotted Astronomy Ireland chairman David Moore managed to spot Comet Lovejoy with the naked eye recently! For details on the comet, please see Astronomy Ireland magazine. Did you see it yet? Let us know at observe@astronomy.ie Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular astronomy club www.astronomy.ie <http://www.astronomy.ie/> ( subscribe / unsubscribe <http://lists.redbrick.dcu.ie/mailman/listinfo/astronomy> ) _____ No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.3462 / Virus Database: 3658/6930 - Release Date: 12/18/13