1. Exploding Parachutes and Burst Airbags - Astronomy Ireland Public Lecture (and DVD) On Monday February 9th Astronomy Ireland will be celebrating the United Nations International Year of Astronomy by flying in a brilliant public speaker from the U.K. Doug Ellison has appeared on the BBC's Sky at Night with Sir Patrick Moore and he will be talking in Ireland about "Cosmic Casualties". RTE's Gerry Ryan will interview Doug Ellison on the morning of his lecture so book your seats early as tickets could sell out on the day. His lecture is all about mistakes that have been made in space that have made front page headlines around the world and cost billions of euros! Space Travel can be a very intricate and problematic enterprise, as should be expected when venturing into the unknown. Doug Ellison, a self confessed space exploration addict, will be delving into this complex word and revealing the highs and lows of over 50 years of space travel. Doug, a multimedia producer by day, is the founding administrator of the well respected Unmannedspaceflight.com forum by night. Over the past 5 years he has talked to astronomy and science societies, schools, and the general public, conveying the excitement and adventure of our solar system. This lecture will be taking place in the Fitzgerald Building in Trinity College at 8pm on Monday, Feb 9th. Astronomy Ireland will be producing this lecture on DVD for those who cannot attend on the night. This can be purchased at www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html or call (01) 847 0777 Book your tickets now at www.astronomy.ie or call (01) 847 0777. 2. Donate PC's Astronomy Ireland is taking on new staff and volunteers all across Ireland. If you have any PC's or similar equipment that you would like to donate to the society please reply to this email or call. 3. Observing Highlights Tonight (Feb 4th) the Moon passes in front of the Pleiades star cluster. Saturn's rings are closer to edge on than they will be for 30 years. Venus blazes in the South after sunset. Comet Lulin is near Zubenelgenubi and brightening, currently magnitude 7 and rising at 2am. For more details of all these sights see your magazine. Please email observe@astronomy.ie and tell us what you see for our monthly magazine report of all Irish Astronomy. Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular Astronomy Club AND Ireland's Only Astronomy Magazine www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat ( subscribe / unsubscribe here )