ASTRONOMY IRELAND MAILING LIST - www.astronomy.ie (The all-Ireland astronomy Club, Magazine and Shop) --------------------------------------------------- 1. SEE BUZZ ALDRIN Following the highly successful interview of Neil Armstrong last year, Gay Byrne returns to the National Concert Hall to interview the second man on the Moon, Buzz Aldrin on November 18th (Thursday). This year is the 35th anniversary of Aldrin and Armstrong's 'stroll on the Moon'. Astronaut and Rocket Scientist, Buzz Aldrin has an exciting vision of man's future exploration outward to the planets and the stars. He will relate his experiences in his unique and famously entertaining style. Gay Byrne will also interview Sir David Frost and George Foreman, details on www.nch.ie Tickets for the Eagle Star Face to Face interviews (organised by Newpark Productions) are available at the National Concert Hall on (01) 4170000 or www.nch.ie priced at 35, 50 and 70 euro. Tickets have already been selling very well so you are advised to book early. We will carry our own interview with Buzz Aldrin in our magazine so if you have any questions do send them to us. 2. AURORA No one reported seeing the aurora over the last couple of nights. I was city bound a lot of the time and did not see any major displays, but those of you in rural locations should have seen a display at least low on the northern horizon? The weak conditions have passed now but keep an eye out and don't forget to text 086 081 9986 if you see anything. By the way, there is a large sunspot on view at present - for SAFE VIEWING use AstroSolar (available from our Shop). 3. SOLD OUT It's great to see so much interest in matters astronomical: The RIA 'Nobel' lecture Sept. 22 is completely booked out (to be webcast at www.ria.ie though). The "Hawking in Dublin" special issue of our magazine (September issue) has SOLD OUT also! The Aldrin Lecture above could sell out soon www.nch.ie My own lecture in Naul (last night) was packed out (despite the Ireland/Roy Keane match at same time!). Also, we've had a steady stream of bookings for both the LIFE ON MARS lecture on Monday (not to be missed!) and the Evening Classes, so be sure to book now, especially the LIFE ON MARS lecture by a brilliant speaker who is an expert in this area: www.astronomy.ie/lecture0409.html www.astronomy.ie/eveningclass.html See you Monday - if you can get a seat! 6. MERCURY AND REGULUS Tonight (technically Friday morning) is the big day for the extremely close conjunction of Mercury and Regulus in the dawn sky. They'll be just 3 arc minutes apart and so probably too close for the human eye to split them? See the map and write up on pages 26 to 27 of the September issue of our magazine (now SOLD OUT unfortunately - order the October Total Eclipse issue now though!) or call our Newsline this week 1550-111-442. 4. ASTEROID OCCULTATION Tolis Christou at Armagh Observatory alerts us to the asteroid (638) Moira occulting a magnitude 8.8 star in Taurus at the crack of dawn on September 16. Details at www.asteroidoccultation.com/2004_09/0916_638_1913.htm Path map at www.asteroidoccultation.com/2004_09/0916_638_1913_MapE.gif Tolis writes "From the path I would say that anyone observing between Limerick and Galway has a good chance of seeing something (weather permitting of course)". But of course everyone in Ireland should watch as even negative reports will constrain the maximum size of the asteroid. Any of you who have purchased webcams (Philips ToUcam Pro) from us are ideally equipped to measure the size and shape of this asteroid. The asteroid is 65km wide and magnitude 15.6 so the star will completely disappear from view to up to 6 seconds. The star is about 8 degrees to the left of Aldebaran and will be 50 degrees up at 5:30am BST making conditions ideal. I'll be watching, let me know if you will too? Or if you need any advice? If I get any video I'll try to post it on our website. You'll need a 3-inch or larger telescope to see this event well. 5. HELP PACK MAGAZINE We are looking for volunteers to help pack the October issue of our magazine tomorrow (Friday Sept. 10). If you live in the Leinster area can you spare an hour or two to come in to our office/Shop in Artane (www.astronomy.ie/map.html) and help us envelope the thousands of magazines that have to go in the post that day? Any time from 10am to 10pm please? Regards and clear skies, David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland. www.astronomy.ie Call our ASTRONOMY SHOP: Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat up to 5:30pm. ----------