*1. David Southwood: "European Space Science And Exploration"* Just a quick reminder that Prof. David Southwood, Director of Science, European Space Agency, will give our public lecture for the International Year of Astronomy tonight, in Trinity College Dublin. He will describe the trillion dollars worth of space missions that he and his thousands of scientists are responsible for. *Please Note: The time of this lecture is 8:00pm and not 7:30pm, as previously stated in our email dated March 11. We apologise for this error. The lecture takes place in the Edmund Burke Theatre in the Arts Building. Doors will open at 7:30pm with the lecture beginning at 8:00pm sharp.* Prof. Southwood spoke at 7:50am Friday March 13 on 4FM (94FM / 104FM). You can listen to this interview online HERE <http://www.astronomy.ie/audio/>. Details of the event are on our website www.astronomy.ie. If you cannot get to Dublin, you can order the DVD of this lecture *HERE*<http://www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html> . ** ** *2. St. Patrick's Day Parades: Astronomy Themes* As part of the International Year of Astronomy (IYA), the St Patrick's Day Celebrations in Dublin, Cork and Downpatrick will incorporate astronomy themes into their parades. 'The Sky is the Limit' is the universal theme this year, and will be represented in the parades in the following ways: *Dublin:* Euxodia - Exploring an imaginary city and mapping of the heavens, referencing the constellations and featuring an orrery. *Cork: *Cosmic Chaos - In collaboration with Blackrock Castle Observatory, Dan Tani, a NASA astronaut will act as the parade's Grand Marshall. *Downpatrick: *The Earth, Sun and Moon - Featuring street performances and displays from all over Europe, each presenting their own interpretation of the theme. ** ******** ** *3. Limerick Evening Classes* Do you know how the Universe was born? Did you know that you are made of almost 50% comet juice? Did you know that the Zinc in your body, which you need to live, was created by an exploding star? The Astronomy Ireland Evening Classes will answer all these questions and more and begin in Limerick on March 19 at 7:30pm. These classes are suitable for people of all ages and abilities. There is no complex mathematics involved or any other educational requirement for these classes. Learn about the pioneers of astronomy and their painful history, the mysterious world of dark energy, dark matter and black holes, how our Solar System was formed, how a telescope works and much, much more. The classes cost 180euro and include membership to Astronomy Ireland and an annual subscription to our full-colour magazine, Astronomy & Space. Our monthly magazine gives all the latest national and international news, and is packed full of features, photos and a diary of spectacular celestial events that everyone can see for the coming month. Fully paid up members get 50euro discount on the evening classes, costing only 130euro. Be sure to book online now at www.astronomy.ie/class/limerick.html or over the phone on (01) 847 0777, as bookings cannot be taken on the night*!* ** *4. ISS Blazes Over Irish Skies* The international Space Station (ISS) which recently had a close encounter with a piece of space debris, will once again blaze across the evening skies from March 18. The ISS is the largest spacecraft ever built and is a collaboration of space agencies all over the world. To get the exact times of when the ISS will be visible you can check various sites on the internet, but if you would like to have reminders sent to your mobile phone each day simply text the word 'SPACE' to 57003 (Texts cost 1euro per message received). Each day the ISS is visible, you will receive one text message a couple of hours beforehand to give you the most up-to-date predictions of times and locations. Background details for ISS are on www.astronomy.ie/iss. *5. Lecture in Birr Castle* David Block, The South African author of "Shrouds of the Night"<http://www.springer.com/astronomy/practical+astronomy/book/978-0-387-78974-3> is coming to Birr Castle on Saturday 21 March at 2:30pm, where he will give a mini lecture in conjunction with the launch of his book which is lavishly illustrated and includes some of the work of Birr Castle. We understand over five hundred astronomical enthusiasts attended the launch of the book in South Africa, and believe still greater numbers expected for the launches in London and at the Smithsonian to follow. Birr Castle counts itself lucky to have tempted the authors to choose Birr for a mini launch in between. Autographed copies of the book will be available at Birr. Admission is free but places are limited, so book your place now at estate@birrcastle.com. *6. **Venus Watches A Success! Keep Watching* Last Thursday and Friday's Venus Watches at our Telescope Shop in Dublin had sufficiently clear skies to show one of the most amazing views of Venus ever seen, from Ireland. The air was very steady allowing unusually high magnification to see the huge but extremely thin crescent. Venus bows out of evening skies this week and won't be visible in the evening skies again for 3 years. So, please try to spot it every evening this week and email observe@astronomy.ie with what you see, for our magazine report. Dust off those telescopes, between, Venus, Saturn at its best and Comet Lulin there are lots of things to see this month! ** *Astronomy Ireland* <http://www.astronomy.ie/> *The world's most popular Astronomy Club AND **Ireland's Only Astronomy **Magazine* <http://www.astronomy.ie/sub> *www.astronomy.ie* <http://www.astronomy.ie/> *Call Our Telescope Shop* <http://www.astronomy.ie/shop> *Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat* *( subscribe / unsubscribe **here*<http://lists.redbrick.dcu.ie/mailman/listinfo/astronomy> * )*