1. Youth, Education and 3-D Stereoscopic images Next Monday evening at 8pm in the Physics Building, Trinity College, Dublin, Robert Hill of the Northern Ireland Space Office will give a public lecture (available on DVD nationwide) entitled "Engaging Youth: An Astronomical Journey in 3-D". Robert will explain how he uses the fascinating subject of Astronomy to interest the youth of today in a lifelong love of science. these youth will then hopefully study science in further education and become the engineers and scientists that the economy so badly needs. Robert's talk will include the latest in 3D stereoscopic equipment to demonstrate how stereo animation and interaction may change the future of education in classrooms across Ireland over the next ten to twenty years. As a former Business Manager and Science Communicator for Armagh Planetarium, Robert designed and created the highly acclaimed exhibition 'From Earth to the Heavens' and has worked with several other science centres to help in the realisation of exciting and stimulating European space related exhibitions. He also founded the Astrogazers Ireland Astronomy schools network, working with teachers to gain confidence in using astronomy resources for the classroom. This talk will be of interest to anyone who has an interest in either astronomy, education, the youth of today, or 3-D images. Admission 5euro (3euro if you show the current issue of our magazine at the door). More information on the talk, the speaker, or how to order the DVD can be found at www.astronomy.ie 2. SDAS The next South Dublin Astronomical Society meeting will be held tomorrow, Thursday, May 8th at 8pm in Gonzaga College, Ranelagh. "Parkes and Pulsars" is the title of the talk to be given by Mr. Al White. Al will talk about his recent trip to Australia where he visited the Parkes Radio Telescope. Al was awarded a MSc in Astronomy while there and congratulations are also due on his recent engagement! All welcome and admission is free. 3. Prices Slashed for month of May & GRAND OPENING on Saturday For our Shop's Grand Opening this Saturday May 10 from 10am to 6pm we have slashed the prices on all telescopes and accessories for the month of May only! See Mars occulted by the Moon at 1:20pm and 1:53pm at the Grand Opening. Food and refreshments will be served all day. You can view the new price list now at www.astronomy.ie/GrandOpening2008.htm and all the new low prices are in effect now ! You can order online at www.astronomy.ie/shop now, or call (01) 847 0777 six days a week to place orders. Prices are now lower here in Ireland than every shop in Europe! Grand Opening details here 4. Viewing Highlights This Week - loads to see! There is a lot to see in Irish skies this week. Full details are in our magazine (www.astronomy.ie/sub) but here are the highlights so you don't miss anything! Mercury is making its best evening appearance all this week. Less than 1% of the world's population has ever seen it but it's to find easy if you know where to look. Email observe@astronomy.ie if you see it. Mars is in Gemini and lines up with Castor and Pollux making a very distinctive '3 stars in a line' this week. Saturn is in Leo, high in the South, and is closest to Regulus making a very distinctive bright 'double star' to the naked eye for the next few weeks. May 12 it will be very close to the Moon. Very few of you are sending in photos of Saturn despite it being so well placed and prices on scopes and the NexImage camera have been slashed - call for advice? Jupiter is blazing in morning skies just before sunrise. Moon occults Mars in broad daylight on Saturday May 10. This will be a special target at our Shop's Grand Opening but you can see it everywhere in Ireland. In a telescope the Moon is always an incredible sight up-close. Get full details of all the above in the Sky Diary pages of our magazine now www.astronomy.ie/sub Please email observe@astronomy.ie if you see any of these sights. Call our Shop staff 6 days a week for telescope advice. 5. Nationwide Coming Events: May 10 Shop Grand Opening and Mars Occultation May 12 3-D Lecture Aug. 30 Star-B-Q Oct. 09 Evening Classes (nationwide) - enrol now Astronomy Ireland The world's most popular astronomy club ( To subscribe/unsubscribe click here ) Ireland's Only Astronomy Magazine www.astronomy.ie Call Our Telescope Shop Tel (01) 847 0777 Mon-Sat Delivery Nationwide