1. Kepler launch this Saturday March 7th On Saturday March 7th at 3:50am the spacecraft Kepler will be launched into space from Florida. Kepler is a spaceborne telescope designed to search the nearby region of our galaxy for Earth-size planets orbiting in the habitable zone of stars like our sun. The Kepler spacecraft will watch the same patch of space for 3.5 years or more for signs of Earth-sized planets moving around stars similar to the sun. A prelaunch webcast is available from NASA at www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/launch/webcast.html. The launch will stream live on Friday 6th March at www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/ with Launch Control Audio beginning 2 hours before the space launch. 2. Astronomy Ireland on Facebook! Astronomy Ireland is now an established group on international social networking giant, Facebook. By joining the Astronomy Ireland group on Facebook you can stay informed of future events, read reviews of recent events, look at pictures of recent events, and communicate with other members and fans of Astronomy Ireland on the Discussion Board. We want you to join Astronomy Ireland on Facebook today and help us to promote Astronomy and Science both nationwide and internationally by inviting your friends and family to join too! Click the following link to go directly to the page http://www.facebook.com/group.php?&gid=53321612786. 3. 100 Hours of Astronomy: An Event 400 Years in the Making As part of International Year of Astronomy 2009, Astronomy Ireland will take part in a 100-hour, round-the-clock, round-the-globe event that includes live webcasts from research observatories, public observing events and other activities around the world. This cornerstone event for the IYA 2009 takes place from the 2nd to 5th April and one of the key goals of 100 Hours of Astronomy is to have as many people as possible look through a telescope as Galileo did for the first time 400 years ago. As part of this, Astronomy Ireland will be holding nationwide 1 hour telescope events each night for 4 consecutive nights, from 2nd to 5th April. The Moon and Saturn will be the highlights of these observing events among other celestial sights. Details of these nationwide events will be available soon at www.astronomy.ie. If you would like to run an event in your area, click "reply" or email sec@astronomy.ie. 4. Report of Nationwide Venus-Moon Watches Last Friday, February 27th, Astronomy Ireland hosted Venus-Moon Watches at 11 locations throughout the country. All Watches had successful turnouts, with the Moon and Venus making appearances in Clare, Cork and Sligo where the view was described as brilliantly spectacular. The post-event reports from our nationwide Branches are available at www.astronomy.ie/venusmoon2009(feb)report.html. 5. We need wireless adapters Astronomy Ireland is expanding, our office is developing its computer network and we are looking for USB wireless adaptors. If you have any to donate, please email sec@astronomy.ie or call us on (01) 847 0777. We greatly appreciate any donations. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club AND Ireland's Only Astronomy Magazine www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )