1. LEINSTER AREA EVENING CLASSES: Last chance to book for the beginners' Evening Classes in Astronomy that begin on Wednesday Feb. 22. Huge interest since David Moore (AI Chairman) went on the Pat Kenny Radio Show earlier this month. Book now at www.astronomy.ie/eveningclass.html and join in the fun. 2. LEINSTER AREA ECLIPSE LECTURE: Everyone is welcome to go to our major Public Lecture for the last easy to get to eclipse until 2017. No Total Eclipse of the Sun has been seen from Ireland since 1724 and the next here is not until 2090 - so you will HAVE TO TRAVEL if you want to see one. So, what is it like, what are all the things to watch out for on what many describe as the most spectacular event in nature, and just what are eclipses all about? Whether you are going on our Eclipse Trip to Turkey next month, or not, you'll find this a fascinating lecture. David Grennan, who writes the Sky Diary in our magazine every month, will give the Eclipse Lecture on Monday Feb. 27 at 8pm in D.C.U. For further details and to book seats online: www.astronomy.ie/solareclipselectureFeb06.html 3. THINGS TO SEE NATIONWIDE Mars is next to the Pleiades star cluster all this week. It won't be closer for another 32 years! You can see this with the naked eye every evening high in the South, but binoculars give an even better view Saturn is next to the Beehive star cluster over in the East soon after the Sun sets each evening, and high in the South by midnight. Use binoculars to see the cluster to the left of Saturn. Having two bright planets next to star clusters is a once in a lifetime sight! Mercury is visible to the naked eye in evening skies this week only. Look low in the West soon after sunset while the sky is still bright with twilight. We had great views from the window of our Shop this evening. Seamus Byron in Donegal had already reported seeing Mercury on Monday also. Jupiter and Venus are visible in morning skies before sunrise. More details of all planets on view are in our magazine every month: www.astronomy.ie/sub and also on our Radio Show every Tuesday night live or download it the next morning at www.astronomy.ie/radioshow.html The International Space Station will be visible every evening next week. Call 1550-111-442 for not only the times to see it every evening starting Feb. 27 but also for details of where in Ireland to see it pass in front of the Moon, Mars and Saturn on some of the evenings from Feb. 27 to March 12th. (See background details of I.S.S. at www.astronomy.ie/iss.html ) Please send in any photos and reports to observe@astronomy.ie 4. OUR SHOP: For binoculars, telescope package deals, and advice please call our Astronomy Shop staff on (01) 847 0777 Monday to Saturday and late night Thursday and Friday. Astronomy Ireland www.astronomy.ie Tel (01) 847 0777