"Star-B-Q" Friday August 26 Ireland's biggest annual telescope gathering takes place this weekend and everyone in Ireland is invited! It takes place in the extremely dark skies at Roundwood, Co. Wicklow, just a short drive from Dublin city. MARS is already a great sight in late evening skies and it will be a special attraction at the Star-B-Q as this year it comes closer to Earth than it will until 2018! (note: Mars is near the Moon this Wednesday - see page 28 of our August magazine for details or tune in, or download, this week's A.I. Radio Show) There will be talks aimed at beginners to kick the Star-B-Q off - or you can start with food from the barbecue, or watch the telescopes being assembled on the playing fields. Food will be served all night until midnight by professional caterers. But the main attraction will be the huge array of telescopes pointing at all manner of objects like: - star clusters - galaxies - stars in their death throes - stars being born - and of course the planet Mars on which you will see surface features Very few people in the world have ever seen the wonders of the universe from such a dark sky in such large telescopes. But we will also teach you how to find the constellations with the naked eye, pointing out them out with the most powerful hand held laser in Ireland We'll show you how to use binoculars to find fascinating objects that you cannot see with the naked eye! Get a demo of CCD cameras taking images and throwing them on to a large screen. It's a great night out for all the family, and friends so please get as many people to come as possible. Admission is 35euro for adults and 25euro for Under 16s which includes all food and drinks, talks, demos and unlimited viewing through Ireland's biggest telescopes Venue is GAA grounds, Roundwood (directions including interactive map on the website, or call). There will be loads to see and do so don't miss Star-B-Q this year, book online (secure) as soon as possible: PLEASE BOOK NOW AT www.astronomy.ie/sbqaug05.html Or call (01) 847 0777 up to 5:30pm This is Astronomy Ireland's main fund-raising event of the year and proceeds help us to promote interest in astronomy so please forward this notice on to everyone you know. - David Moore, Chairman. Astronomy Ireland -promoting interest in astronomy all around Ireland)