1. MARS & GEMINID WATCHES: Tonight (Friday Dec. 14) as the Geminid Meteor Shower rages overhead (see December issue of our magazine) at four locations around the country; Carlow, Cork, Dublin and Louth, Astronomy Ireland will give everyone in the country a chance to see Mars up close and personal through some of the largest portable telescopes in the country. No ticket or booking is necessary, just wrap up warm and get along to your nearest venue at 8:00pm. Further details of the venues and contact numbers can be found at: www.astronomy.ie/marsgeminid.html Mars will be a fine sight close up in a telescope for many months to come but then you have to wait until 2016 to see it closer than it will be this winter! Telescopes we recommend to see this planet in particular are our NexStar SE range (see www.astronomy.ie/nexstarSE.html) but there are others as well, just call the number below for advice. The Geminid Meteors peak tonight (Dec. 14) but there will be significant numbers over the weekend also. They appear anywhere in the sky and all point back towards Gemini, hence the name. This is the best shooting star shower of the year. Email observe@astronomy.ie and tell us how many you see and what times and how long you viewed 2. SUNDAY OPENING: Our Shop (the biggest telescope shop in Ireland) is open every Sunday in the run up to Christmas i.e. Dec. 16 and Dec. 23 from 10am to 6pm. So we are now open 7 days a week! Most people in Ireland buy their telescopes from us so drop in and see the huge range on display or call for advice and delivery anywhere in Ireland. 3. GIFT MEMBERSHIP: Remember you can sign up family and friends for a subscription to our magazine at www.astronomy.ie/sub for just 48euro 4. I.S.S.: The International Space Station continues to blaze across the sky until Dec. 21 at a different time each evening. Dan Tani, one of the 3 astronauts onboard is married to an Irishwoman from Cork. Text SPACE to 57003 and we'll send a reminder to your mobile every afternoon for just 1euro per prediction or call 1550-111-442 (calls cost 95cent/min). Astronomy Ireland www.astronomy.ie Christmas Telescope Advice: Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat Now open SUNDAYS also!