Aurora Trip Membership DVD Shop 1. Orionid Meteor Shower This Weekend This weekend sees the Orionid Meteor Shower, which is due to peak between Sunday night (October 21st) and Monday morning (October 22nd), but meteors will be visible in the sky for several nights around this date, and we recommend viewing on Saturday and Sunday night. Meteor watching is a fun activity that does not need any special equipment. Not only that, but as meteors appear all over the sky, you don't have to worry about looking in the 'wrong place'! Astronomy Ireland is holding a Nationwide Orionid Watch, where we want everyone to go outside over the coming two weeks, count the number of meteors seen in 15-minute blocks, and let us know the counts by emailing meteor@astronomy.ie. Visit www.astronomy.ie to get more details and a map of the sky to help you with your observations. Listen to David Moore on radio speaking about the upcoming Orionid Meteor Shower at www.astronomy.ie/audio 2. International Space Station Over Ireland The biggest and most expensive spacecraft ever put in orbit, the International Space Station (ISS), is currently visible in our night and early morning skies, and will continue to be visible until October 30th. Tonight (Wednesday, October 17th) it will pass over Ireland at 7:57pm. The International Space Station is a fantastic sight for all the family, and we urge everyone to go out and see it! The next two weeks will also see amazing 'space chases', as two spacecraft make the voyage to the giant station. Each afternoon Astronomy Ireland will publish the times the ISS will be visible at www.astronomy.ie/iss and you can also receive daily reminders of this time by texting the word SPACE to 57003 (subscription service; one message will be sent each day the ISS is visible and it costs €1 per message received). 3. Evening Class Late Enrolment: Sign Up for Only €99! Did you miss the first two classes in our popular Astronomy Classes for Beginners? Don't worry! You can sign up now for the remaining classes taking place on Thursday evenings for only €99! Not only that, but you can repeat the course for free next February to catch up on anything you missed! Our Evening Classes began last week and will continue each Thursday from 7:30pm in Trinity College Dublin. The classes are aimed at the beginner, covering everything you ever wanted to know about the Universe. There are eight classes in total and content covered includes an introduction to the night sky, the Sun and the Moon, planets and stars, history of astronomy, deep sky objects, the Big Bang and even a class on telescopes and how to use one. For more information and enrolment details call us on (01) 890 11 11 or visit www.astronomy.ie/class 4. The Mars Science Laboratory ‘Curiosity’ – In Search of Origins The Planetary Society, in association with the School of Physics NUI Galway, Galway Astronomical Club and CIT/Blackrock Castle Observatory, Cork will present a public lecture, in both Galway and Cork, during Science Week 2012 titled “The Mars Science Laboratory ‘Curiosity’ – In Search of Origins”. The talk will describe how the mission is currently proceeding, show the latest images, outline the geography of Mars for those attending to become more familiar with the planet itself and invite discussion from the audience on topical matters of space exploration and its value to society. Galway Talk: 8.00pm, Wednesday, November 14th, 2012, O'Tnuathail Theatre, NUI Galway Cork Talk: 8.00pm, Friday, November 16th, 2012, Blackrock Castle Observatory, Blackrock, Cork Admission: Free Places allocated on a first come first served basis - simply turn up on the night! Suitable for the general public and expert alike, and for children of about eight years and older. The presenter is Kevin Nolan, Coordinator to Ireland for The Planetary Society and author of the book “Mars, A Cosmic Stepping Stone”. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe )