Evening Classes 2010 Events DVDs Shop 1. Mars Close To Moon - Telescope Watches Nationwide This Friday, January 29, the brilliant 'star' blazing just to the left of the Moon will of course be the planet Mars, which is now closer to Earth than it will be for a 6 year period. At carefully chosen venues all across the country, Astronomy Ireland will be setting up powerful telescopes in what is hoped to be the biggest ever telescope spectacular in the history of the state. We encourage everyone to tell everyone you know about Mars Watch and to come along this Friday with friends and family. Please note that the all Watches will go ahead regardless of weather. EVENT DETAILS Current confirmed locations are: Clare, Donegal, Dublin, Kerry, Louth, Waterford. For more information and to check the location of your closest Watch click HERE. All watches will begin at 8pm with the exception of Donegal where the watch will begin at 9pm Please keep checking our Mars Watch webpage as more locations may be confirmed over the next 24 hours. TELESCOPE VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS WANTED We already have several large telescopes for our Nationwide Mars Watch but if you have a medium to large telescope (at least 6-inch, preferably 8-inch or larger) why not bring it along to one of the Watches and share the excitement of the general public as they are amazed by views of Mars? Thousands of you now have powerful telescopes from our Shop (CPCs, NexStar SEs and Advanced Series GTs) that give amazing views of the planets and more. Mars Watch is our first of many Watches which will be held during 2010 - our 20th anniversary. Later this year we will have more Watches for the Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, the December eclipse, and Star-B-Q (Sept. 4th) If you want to get involved, especially during our 20th Anniversary year call us on (01) 847 0777 or email sec@astronomy.ie. 2. Discovery Of Earth-Like Planets Expected This Year In an interview with multi-city radio station 4FM, Astronomy Ireland Chairman, David Moore, talks about the recent and exciting discoveries of the Kepler Mission which is searching for earth-like planets outside of our solar system. To listen to this interview and hear David talk about our Nationwide Mars Watch and Evening Classes go to www.astronomy.ie/audio. 3. Events January 29 - Nationwide Mars Watch February 3 - Evening Classes Commence (Cork, Dublin, Dundalk, Letterkenny, Sligo, Tralee, Waterford) February 8 - Living With A Star - Public Lecture by Dr. Chris Davis February 9 - Evening Classes Commence (Athlone, Galway, Limerick) Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe ) Our Online Telescope Shop