20 Months Membership Offer 2010 Events DVDs Shop 1. Astronomy Ireland On The Afternoon Show Astronomy Ireland will appear on RTE Television's The Afternoon Show this Monday, March 22, in a special feature which focuses on the planet Mars, a Mars Watch, and specific telescopes which are recommended for viewing the Red Planet. On the show, you will see Astronomy Ireland members gather with their telescope at a night-time observing session to view the planet. Astronomy Ireland Chairman, David Moore, will be interviewed, and will speak extensively about Mars, how to observe the planet this month, and which telescopes are best for viewing. Tune in to RTE One this Monday to see the feature. Don't worry, if you miss it this Monday it will be available to view on our website early next week. All this takes place during the month of March which we devoted entirely to the planet Mars which is ideal for observation in the night sky. As part of Mars Month our next big event takes place next Thursday, March 25 - Mars, Moon and Saturn Watch. The Watch will take place at various locations nationwide and we encourage all of you to come along to this free event and see Mars, the Moon and Saturn through some of Ireland's most powerful telescopes. For more information and to check the location of your nearest Watch click HERE. To download a Sky Map for March 25 click HERE and for other free Mars downloads click HERE. 2. New Planet Found Astronomers have discovered a new planet approximately the size of Jupiter orbiting a distant star outside of our solar system. The planet, detected by the CoRoT space telescope, an initiative lead by the French Space Agency (CNES), could help develop a better understanding of 'exoplanets', planets around other stars. To read more about this exciting discovery click HERE. 3. Astronomy Tips This Week a.. Saturday, March 20, sees the Vernal Equinox, the astronomical mid-point between the Solstices. Observers will get to see a thin crescent Moon near the horizon at sunset. b.. This week just after sunset, the bright planet Venus is venturing higher into the sky as it becomes the "Evening Star". c.. In the West and South, Saturn and Mars, respectively, will be placed at nice locations in the sky for observers. These make amazing targets through a telescope. d.. For more information on what to see in the night sky this week check out the Sky Diary section in the March issue of 'Astronomy & Space' magazine. Don't forget to email what you see to observe@astronomy.ie and we will try to publish your pictures and observations in forthcoming issues of the magazine. 4. Events March 22 to 26 - NASA STEREO Convention & Public Lectures (Science Gallery) March 25 - Mars & Saturn Watch (Nationwide) April 12 - 'Mercury - New Insights' Public Lecture by Dr. Dave Rothery (TCD) Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe ) Our Online Telescope Shop