1. PHOTO EXHIBITION BY ANTHONY MURPHY Astronomy Ireland member Anthony Murphy from Drogheda has an exhibition of his photographic work running for 2 weeks starting tonight (see cover of December 2003 issue of our magazine). Here are some details from the press notice about the event: The first ever public exhibition of work by a local amateur photographer is to be launched next Wednesday at the Brú na Bóinne Visitors¹ Centre, next to Newgrange, Co. Meath. Journalist and astronomer Anthony Murphy has been taking photographs for years, but only became seriously interested in the hobby about six years ago. Now a major exhibition of his photographs, many of which feature landscapes and monuments from the Boyne Valley region, is to be held for the first time. Entitled the "Mythical Ireland" exhibition, there will be over 40 colour prints featured. Many of the photographs were taken during the course of research work carried out into the astronomical and mythological significance of the ancient monuments in the Boyne Valley. www.mythicalireland.com features some of the photographs which will be shown at the exhibition. But the new exhibition does not exclusively feature monuments. "I am a keen landscape photographer, but my subject matter is fairly varied," Anthony Murphy said. "I¹ve even tried macro photography ­looking at subjects very close up, almost as if they were under a microscope. The exhibition will feature close-ups of a bee¹s head, a cactus plant and frost and dewdrops on plants, so there really is a lot to see." Among the familiar sights featured will be Newgrange, Knowth, Dowth, Millmount, the Boyne Cable Bridge, the Maiden Tower in Mornington, Mellifont Abbey, Monasterboice cross and tower and much more. The astronomical theme creeps in too, and there are photographs of moonrises, the solar eclipse of 1999 and the recent transit of Venus across the face of the Sun. The exhibition will open at 8pm on Wednesday, June 23rd and runs for 2 weeks. There is a reception on the opening night. 2. JUPITER NEXT TO MOON Just a reminder to watch the Moon closely tonight for probably your last chance to see Jupiter near the Moon in evening skies this year. Details are in the magazine's Sky Diary pages. (Other things to see this week include Comet NEAT now near The Plough and the crescent Moon which is always a fantastic sight in a telescope). 3. SOLSTICE Monday June 21 was the Summer Solstice. From now on the nights get longer, great news for astronomers! The Sun celebrated in style with those huge sunspots I warned you about last week. We've had incredible views of the sunspots especially now that everyone is equipped with AstroSolar filters since the Venus Transit. The sunspots should last another few days, and new spots can rotate in to view or just appear on the Sun's face at anytime. It's a great time to be doing solar observing! Get your AstroSolar filter from us now and don't be left out. Regards and clear skies, David Moore, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland. www.astronomy.ie Visit our Shop, Monday to Saturday inclusive. Tel (01) 847 0777