1. A bright Nova ('new star') in Cygnus was discovered from Japan by Akihiko Tago on the evening of March 15 at magnitude 7.4 (within easy binocular range). Another estimate 24 hours later was magnitude 6.7. It may have peaked? It may brighten to naked eye visibility? It may last days, weeks or months? We will have to see, so do use the charts below, go out and check, and report back to us what you see. Beginners: a nova is a colossal thermonuclear explosion on a faint white dwarf star (the dead core of star, like our Sun will produce in 5 billion years) making it brighten by up to a million times. More here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nova This reminds me of 1992 when the now famous Nova Cygni 1992 was spotted by Peter Collins in the USA around magnitude 6.8. I had the privilege of becoming only the second person in the world to see it and put Ireland on the map! It was reported on IAU Circular 5454 which is still online since 1992 at http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iauc/05400/05454.html The nova eventually reached magnitude 4 and became of great astronomical interest being intensively studied! I still remember being able to walk out of my house, and see it with the naked eye over the roof - now that's how easy astronomy should be. After 15 years aren't we due a repeat? Let's hope so. The new nova is circumpolar for us, so it never sets as seen from Ireland, but it will be quite low, only 5 degrees up around 9pm when at its worst, due North. You'll see it a little higher, just 7 degrees up, as evening twilight fades away around 7:45pm, low in the North. However, by midnight it will be 12 degrees up in the north-northeast. The nova is at its very highest as morning twilight begins around 5:15am when it will be 50 degrees up in the East. Beginners should locate the constellation Cygnus with the naked eye first and then use binoculars and the maps below to track down the 'new star' where the "+" symbol is. Have fun! Please email observe@astronomy.ie and report whether you see something or not. Photographers too, please send in results. Star charts to locate it are here (wide field and close up) www.astronomy.ie/images/novacyg80.gif www.astronomy.ie/images/novacyg95.gif Best wishes for clear skies, David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland. 2. Brian May, Patrick Moore and Chris Lintott's new book "BANG! The Complete History of the Universe" was launched in Ireland with the WORLD PREMIERE of the Public Lecture to go with the book. It was delivered by Chris Lintott himself who gave a superbly passionate and highly authoritative lecture. Perhaps the best lecture we have ever had, and we've had some brilliant speakers in the past. Before and afterwards Chris signed copies of his book for the huge audience. We were also presented with a copy signed by Brian May and Patrick Moore also, a collector's item! You can still get to see and hear the lecture by ordering the DVD here www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html for just 5euro each and I would highly recommend that everyone in Ireland orders a copy of this DVD. You can also order copies of the book itself (which were selling on the night for 30euro) at a special price of 25euro. Call the Shop number below to order by Laser/Visa/MasterCard or cheque/postal order/bank draft. 3. Our Astronomy Shop WILL BE OPEN on St. Patrick's Day. Like every Saturday it will be open from 10am to 6pm. Drop in, or call us for advice, or to place orders for telescopes to books. ASTRONOMY IRELAND - for telescopes and information www.astronomy.ie or call (01) 847 0777 Star-B-Q is coming, May 5: special price now at www.astronomy.ie/sbq