1. AURORA There is a chance of an aurora tonight (Wednesday April 7/8) after an explosion on the Sun on Tuesday April 6 at 2:25pm BST hurled material towards the Earth. It may not materialise until after midnight but start checking from dusk onwards just in case it arrives early (which has happened before). The nearly Full Moon rises around 11:30pm so it would suit us if the aurora happened sooner rather than later. There's always a chance the aurora will be visible tomorrow night (April 8/9) too. As usual, if you see anything please TEXT your NAME and LOCATION to 086-081 99 86, and email a short report to observe@astronomy.ie to be included in a report like that in the April issue of our magazine page 13. Get the latest news on this event at www.spacew.com and www.spaceweather.com 2. EASTER MONDAY PUBLIC LECTURE One of the most fascinating ladies in Irish space science (Irish science in general?) is Prof Susan McKenna-Lawlor from Maynooth University. She now runs her own company Space Technology Ireland which builds and launches equipment into space. Apart from having sent experiments to planets and comets already (including Halley's comet in 1986) she is currently involved in: ESA's SMART-1 Mission to the Moon Mars Express Venus Express Rosetta Comet Mission & its Lander Philae NASA's Relativity Mission China's Double Star Mission That's one very busy lady so you can see why we are delighted she has been able to find the time to give a rare public lecture on all of this work: "IRELAND IN SPACE" It will take place on Easter Monday (April 12 next week that is!) and it would be an unwise person who does not plan to be there for a special holiday treat. Tickets are normally available by post, but with the recent dispute you can buy them at the door for 5euro. Or drop in to our Shop in Artane and pick them up. This promises to be one of the highlights of our 2004 public lecture programme so I hope to see you there: 8pm Dublin City University (Henry Grattan Building, lecture theatre CG12) Please tell friends and bring as many people as you can. Details and map: http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture0404.html David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland: JOIN THE WORLD'S BIGGEST ASTRONOMY CLUB RELATIVE TO POPULATION: www.astronomy.ie/sub and come visit us at Ireland's only telescope shop: www.astronomy.ie/map.html Tel: (01) 847 0777