Christmas Gifts Membership DVD Shop 1. The Moon and Jupiter on Christmas Day In a beautiful celestial event, the Moon and Jupiter will be placed extremely close together on Christmas Day in what might be considered a modern day Star of Bethlehem! If you're out and about for an evening stroll on the big day be sure too look up and enjoy the view. Get more information on Jupiter and a map of the sky HERE. Be sure to let us know what you saw by emailing observe@astronomy.ie 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 January 1st. Tonight (Thursday, December 20th) it will pass over Ireland at 6:00pm. The International Space Station is a fantastic sight for all the family, and we urge everyone to go out and see it! The coming days will also allow us to see a "space chase", as a spacecraft is currently making 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. The End of the World? Unlikely! In recent years there has been a buildup of hype surrounding tomorrow, December 21st, 2012. Many people have suggested various cataclysmic events occurring on this day, signifying the end of the world. This is, of course, untrue, and many of these stories have come around due to a misunderstanding of ancient calendars and beliefs in non-existent and mysterious new planets. You can rest assured that tomorrow will be a day just like any other! David Moore spoke on radio today about these theories, and what you can see in the sky over Christmas. Listen to the interview HERE. 4. Christmas Opening Hours The opening hours for Astronomy Ireland over the season can be viewed online HERE. We would like to wish all our friends and members a very happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year! Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular astronomy club www.astronomy.ie ( subscribe / unsubscribe )