20 Months Membership Offer 2010 Events DVDs Shop Irish Supernova Discovery In The Media On Tuesday, we announced that David Grennan - member and former Vice Chairman of Astronomy Ireland - found the first supernova ever discovered from Irish soil. Yesterday and today, supernova 2010 IK is featuring in media outlets all over Ireland. Grennan appears on the front page of the Irish Independent with his wife, Carol, at his observatory in North Dublin. This is where he made the discovery of the stellar explosion! He was interviewed by Ryan Tubridy and Ray D'Arcy in morning, and featured on various news pieces throughout the day, including RTE. On television, Grennan appeared on The Daily Show and the RTE News. Keep an eye out for David Grennan in the media over the next few days. We will put interviews online at www.astronomy.ie/audio and www.astronomy.ie/video so be sure to bookmark that page and keep checking back. A supernova is a massive star that has reached the end of its life. When the star runs out of nuclear fuel, it can't hold itself together, and it explodes and flares often brighter than entire galaxies! The vast majority of elements in the Universe are created by supernova events. Therefore, the carbon we are made of and the oxygen and nitrogen we breathe were all created by a massive explosion in space billions of years ago! The supernova was discovered using a Celestron C14 telescope that Grennan bought from the Astronomy Ireland Shop, which he has housed in a personal observatory in North Dublin. Supernova Celebration and Public Lecture Grennan will give a special speech next Monday, October 11th, in Trinity College Dublin after our public lecture "The Hunt for Alien Life". The lecture will be given by international speaker Dr Lewis Dartnell. Following this, there will be a celebration in the Lombard Inn where you can enjoy some food and chat with other members! BOOK TICKETS NOW Evening Classes If you want to learn more about the Universe, and the births, lives, and deaths of stars, Astronomy Ireland's Evening Classes are commencing in Dublin and Cork this week (Thursday, October 7th), and in Letterkenny and Athlone next week (Thursday, October 14th). We are still taking enrolments for the classes so be sure to sign up now HERE! Not only will you learn about the stars and supernovae like David Grennan's discovery, but you will learn about planets, galaxies, telescopes, life in the Universe, and much more! There is no maths involved in the classes, and they are aimed for the absolute beginner in astronomy. Before you know it, you'll know the answers to life, the Universe, and everything! ENROL NOW Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe ) Our Online Telescope Shop