[STOP PRESS: due to a server upgrade that I wasn't aware of, this message (sent at the weekend) is only being released at noon Monday, so my apologies for the short notice. It is also possible that you missed the previous email (sent Friday) which was about the Dunsink Petition (see below) which a lot of you have not yet responded to! - David Moore] A new comet will be visible to the naked eye over Christmas/New Year AND the best meteor shower of the year peaks on Monday night December 13. Astronomy Ireland is setting up TELESCOPES around Ireland for a COMET HUNT & GEMINID WATCH on Monday December 13 at 8pm. Everyone is welcome to go along to the events in counties: CARLOW - Killerig Golf Club CORK - Ballyphehane Community Centre DONEGAL - Letterkenny DUBLIN - Papal Cross car park, Phoenix Park ROSCOMMON - Horseman Viewing Point, near Boyle WATERFORD - TBC That's the list so far! For a full list and directions, see: http://www.astronomy.ie/Meteor%20Shower%20and%20Comet%20Watch.html ALL TAKE PLACE AT 8PM SHARP NOTE The Comet is Comet Machholz (C/2004 Q2) found in August by Don Machholz (USA). It is to the lower right of Orion in the constellation of Eridanus. As it heads north it will brighten to 4th magnitude. last week it was already 5th magnitude making it faintly visible to the naked eye from dark skies. I saw it in binoculars last week even from light polluted city skies. James Adamson in Co. Mayo and Martin McKenna in Co. Derry reported seeing it before that (report your sightings to observe@astronomy.ie as always). Comet Machholz rises around 7pm and is low in the South by 11pm when at its best. A full article and a star map showing its path is in the January issue which is out on news-stands in the next few days (or order a copy now at www.astronomy.ie/sub ). Members already got a map and details in the November issue (now sold out) on page 29. The Geminid Meteor Shower puts on a brilliant display every year in cold December skies. It is known for particularly bright meteors (fireballs) and I've seen good displays even when the Moon has been in the sky. This year though there is no Moonlight to interfere so it should be truly spectacular. Even if you don't get along to one of the Watches just look up, any time of the night and you should see up to 100 Geminids per hour. They can be seen anywhere in the sky but their paths all point back to Gemini, hence the name. Count them and send your report to observe@astronomy.ie with your start & end times, and your and address. There will be lesser numbers of Geminids for several nights before and after Monday so do watch then also. At the COMET HUNT & GEMINID WATCHES nationwide we'll also take a look at the planet Saturn (in Gemini co-incidentally) so do get along to your nearest event. 2. MISCELLANEOUS DUNSINK PETITION: A lot of you have NOT signed the petition to continue astronomy at our National Observatory (see last email). Just email your name to dunsink@astronomy.ie and you will be added to the petition being sent to the Minister for Science & Education. (See petition at http://www.astronomy.ie/dunsink.txt ) Remember to forward this to everyone you know who may support it. NEW YEAR LECTURE: Most of the tickets for our New Year Public Lecture at DUNSINK OBSERVATORY have now been sold. Book yours now by emailing lecture@astronomy.ie http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture0501.html CHRISTMAS TELESCOPES: two or three of our models at the discounted price for Christmas have already sold out. Call (01) 847 0777 or drop in to our Shop soon to get up to 40% off (see www.astronomy.ie also). We're open until 6pm Christmas Eve. Please support OUR shop this Christmas, we guarantee the quality of everything we sell. A.I. RADIO SHOW: Tuesdays at 8pm on 103.2FM (repeated Thursdays at 11am). Most shows are NOW online for EVERYONE IN IRELAND at www.astronomy.ie (click Radio Show). Last week's show will go online Monday morning (sorry for delay). MAGAZINE HELP: We are seeking help with the posting of our magazine on Tuesday (Dec. 14). If you can do some voluntary work please reply or call 01-847 0777. Merry Christmas! David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland.