[Monday 10am Feb 21] 1. CORK LECTURE - THE NEW BLACKROCK CASTLE OBSERVATORY 8pm Thursday February 24 Jury's Hotel, Western Road Astronomy Ireland's Cork Branch is organising a Public Lecture in Jury's Hotel, Western Road, Cork at 8pm on Thursday February 24. Guest speakers will be Damian O'Mahony, Communications Director, Cork City Council and Professor Niall Smith - an astrophysicist with Cork Institute of Technology. They will be talking primarily about the new European Robotic and Astronomical Observatory at Blackrock Castle. It is hoped that the observatory will be opened this year as part of the celebrations for the European city of culture. As you may know Astronomy Ireland members were originally instrumental in initiating the project that it is hoped will set an example for similar projects all over Europe. (See our magazine November 2004 issue page 32 for photos and an article about Blackrock Castle observatory). Martin Lynch - our Cork Branch Co-ordinator will also be talking about upcoming events for the Cork area as well. There will be 5euro cover charge to help defray costs for the event, but this will be reduced to 3euro for anyone who brings along the current issue of the magazine as proof of your Astronomy Ireland membership (either the February or March issue will do). Membership of Astronomy Ireland continues to grow in Cork so you are sure to meet many new faces who share an interest in our hobby. It should be an exciting evening! Non-members are very welcome and do bring friends. 2. NEW SKY DIARY FOR OUR MAGAZINE We want your comments on what you think of the Sky Diary in our magazine every month as a new person will be joining the magazine team soon who will take over this department: What would you add or remove? What would you like to see more or less of? Is it at the right level for you, or too simple, or too complex? We are asking EVERYONE who reads this to please give us your opinion if you have ever read our Sky Diary pages in the magazine! Please "reply" to this email, or email info@astronomy.ie - David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland Tel: (01) 847 0777 Visit www.astronomy.ie Please support our club, magazine, and Shop Visit the ASTRONOMY SHOP at Unit 75, Butterly Business Park, Kilmore Road, Artane, Dublin 5. IRELAND'S BIGGEST TELESCOPE SHOP.