Spring Sale DVD Membership Shop 1. Planets in the March Sky Over the last week we've received countless calls and emails from people who have spotted the magnificent pairing of Venus and Jupiter in the night sky, and Mars as it rises in the east. Not only that, but many people also managed to see Mercury after sunset just before it disappeared below the horizon! Venus and Jupiter will continue to move closer and closer over the coming week, and will be at their closest on the evenings of March 12th and 13th next week. This will be a spectacular sight and one that can't be missed! For more information on the Jupiter-Venus conjunction, please click HERE. If you get to see any of the planets, please email observe@astronomy.ie and let us know what you saw. 2. Public Lecture “Solar Storms and Northern Lights: Observing the Sun from Ireland” Despite being our ultimate energy source on Earth, the Sun can have more sinister effects due to its solar flares. While these solar storms can produce spectacular auroral displays, they can sometimes cause dropouts in telecommunications systems, failures of satellites, interruptions in electrical power supply networks, and errors in GPS signals. At Astronomy Ireland's Public Lecture on March 12th, Dr Peter Gallagher will describe the source of solar storms, how these can effect the technologies that we rely on as part of our every-day lives, and how Irish scientists are using cutting-edge scientific instruments, such as the new Europe-wide LOFAR radio telescope, to better forecast the effects of solar storms on Earth. This lecture will take place at 8pm on Monday, March 12th, in Trinity College Dublin. A social reception will take place after the lecture in the nearby Lombard Inn where lecture attendees can meet Dr Gallagher and other astronomy enthusiasts. Details of the March Lecture and tickets for it be found at www.astronomy.ie or by calling (01) 890 11 11. BOOK TICKETS ORDER DVD 3. The Sky at Night This month Sir Patrick Moore looks at citizen science and how regular people can contribute to the world of science. Thu 07:30pm BBC FOUR Fri 12:15am BBC FOUR Sat 12:00pm BBC 2 NI Sun 12:55am BBC FOUR Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe )