1. Nationwide Evening Classes start this week The Astronomy Ireland Evening Classes for beginners commence on Thursday 9th October (Space Week) in Athlone, Cork, Dublin, Letterkenny and Limerick (but note the Limerick classes will begin on Thursday 16th October). These classes are very popular and aimed at the general public and new members. You should book your place for any of the venues online at www.astronomy.ie/class or by calling (01) 847 0777 as soon as possible. This eight week course is designed with the beginner in mind. You do not need to own a telescope and no knowledge of astronomy or maths is required. This is an opportunity to meet with fellow enthusiasts and learn all about about the Sun, Planets, Telescopes, History of Astronomy, Cosmology and much more. BOOK HERE NOW 2. Astronomy Ireland on BBC Sky At Night For the third time Astronomy Ireland's Carl O'Beirnes and David Grennan have appeared on Sir Patrick Moore's "Sky At Night" programme on BBC TV. Astronomy Ireland's Gary Clarke was also there. The show went out on Monday morning at 1:10am but it will be repeated on BBC FOUR at 7:30pm Monday Oct. 6th with a repeat later that night at 2am. BBC 2 will screen the show again at 2pm on Saturday October 11th. This month the show is about the Autumn Sky and was filmed at Sir Patrick Moore's home on the south coast of England where the top amateur astronomers from the U.K. and Ireland were invited. A recording of the show should also be on the BBC's website here soon. Congratulations to Carl, David and Gary. Carl & David gave our March lecture about their February trip to Sir Patrick's home and you can order the DVD of this lecture here. Last year a whole group of us were invited to join Sir Patrick on the show's 50th anniversary. See our webpage report here. 3. Public Lecture & DVD: "Searching for Planets Around Other Stars - >From Galway" On Monday 13 October, Astronomy Ireland will presents its Colm J. Cannon Memorial Lecture in the Physics Building, Trinity College Dublin at 8pm. As this is a very interesting topic, our speaker will be on the Gerry Ryan Show the morning of the Lecture (if you miss it check www.astronomy.ie/audio afterwards). The existence of over 300 planets outside our own Solar System has been confirmed since the first extra-solar planet was discovered only 14 years ago. The techniques used to detect these planets requires the use of very sensitive and expensive equipment. Some astronomers have recently claimed to have photographed one of these planets directly. Now, Gregg Hallinan, an astronomer based in Galway, is using a technique based on what happens during "The Northern Lights" to detect billion watt beacons beaming powerful radio beams into space from these far away planets. With the latest generation of powerful radio telescopes we can now begin to search for these kind of radio waves from planets in orbit around other stars. For those who cannot make it to the venue on the night a DVD will be available for 7euro (same price as a ticket). This lecture is part of our Maths Week activities. Book your ticket HERE and order the DVD HERE 4. Astro-Expo 2008 announcement! Our 19th annual space exhibition takes place during Science Week on Saturday 8th November in the superb new Science Gallery at Trinity College Dublin. We are bringing in an incredible display about Planets Around Other Stars from the U.K.'s prestigious Royal Society, and there are major Public Lectures organised already for the Science Gallery's incredible lecture theatre. Further details in a future email and on www.astronomy.ie/astroexpo08.html so make your travel plans now as this is the annual gathering of all our members and an event not to be missed. 5. Meteor Observing at SDAS The South Dublin Astronomical Society's (SDAS) next meeting will take place on 9 October. The talk that evening will be "Catch A Falling Star" and will concentrate on meteor observing. All are welcome on the night and admission is free. The venue is Gonzaga College, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 at 8pm. 6. International Space Station - 3 more amazing days! We've been getting sightings from all around the country as the I.S.S. blazes across the sky with its 3 astronauts on board. Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday this week are the 3 remaining nights to see it (it will be back in November though!). On Monday I.S.S. passes very close to Jupiter (check your magazine and see how Jupiter & the Moon are very close Monday & Tuesday). On Tuesday it passes below the Moon! On Wednesday it will pass in front of Jupiter as seen from some parts of the country! Details on www.astronomy.ie/iss and make use of our TEXT service if you can afford 1euro a day for each prediction: text SPACE to 57003 7. Hamilton Lecture 2009 The annual Hamilton Lecture on October 16 sounds very interesting, see here or here. Unfortunately the event is sold out. If anyone has any spare ticket(s) please email sec@astronomy.ie as none of the society officials managed to get tickets this year. Thank you! Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular astronomy club AND Ireland's Only Astronomy Magazine www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )