1. SPACE CHASE TONIGHT Friday Jan. 30 No one reported seeing Progress following I.S.S. across the sky last night. I only caught a glimpse of I.S.S. through tiny breaks in the clouds from our Shop in Artane, Dublin 5 at 6:19pm on Thursday. Watch out tonight, the expected time for I.S.S. is 6:51pm, passing near the Moon. Start counting when I.S.S. passes the Moon and let us know how many seconds later Progress passes the Moon. Remember they are moving at 5 miles per second so you can gauge their actual distance apart in space using this. Tonight's weather forecast seems to call for broken cloud across the country (but never believe the forecast, go outdoors regardless!) so I am hoping someone will get to see the space chase. Record how bright Progress compared to any of the stars or planets. Email us your name, location, and, if you can, the number of seconds between I.S.S. and Progress (and how bright both were if you can) to observe@astronomy.ie (or text to 086-081 99 86). Docking of Progress with I.S.S. is set for Saturday at 1:18pm so we will not see a "space chase" on Saturday unless docking is delayed. Check our Newsline Saturday before sunset for an update. You can still see I.S.S. after tonight remember. In fact every night until Feb. 7 (Saturday week). We issue the latest predictions on our Newslines 1550-111-442 (09001 88 19 50 in N.Ireland+Britain). The prediction is usually in the first 30 seconds of the recording so it only costs a fraction of a euro or pound to get it. Call after 12noon and before sunset for that evening's prediction and any news. 2. ASTRONOMY IRELAND FEBRUARY LECTURE ABOUT "LIFE" You are all invited to come and hear Prof R.N. Butler from the Chemistry Dept at the National University of Ireland, Galway, when he gives our February Public Lecture on Feb. 9 in D.C.U. at 8pm. "The Enigma of the origin of life on Earth and the Question of Extraterrestrial Life; Facts and Fictions" is the title he has chosen and he promises to: (i) critically assess the current state of knowledge on the origin of Life on Earth (ii) Assess the planetary bodies Mars, Europa, Titan and Triton from the point of view of Life and (iii) Comment on the prospects for Life elsewhere in the Universe in our space-time. The lecture will be at a general level and no chemical formulae or equations will be used. VENUE: Henry Grattan Building, Dublin City University, Collins Ave, Dublin 9. Everyone is welcome and admission is 5euro (3euro if you show a copy of our February magazine at the door, or are a student, OAP or under 18) You can buy tickets in advance by sending payment and a S.A.E. to P.O.Box 2888, Dublin 5 but BEFORE Feb. 5, or drop in to our Shop/office in Artane, Dublin 5. See also http://www.astronomy.ie/nextlecture.html for links to maps and how to get to our Shop. 3. SKY AT NIGHT "Roving on Mars" Sunday night Sir Patrick Moore presents his monthly TV programme on Sunday night just after midnight: BBC 1 at 12:50am (officially Monday morning Feb. 2). Tune in for "the latest news from the NASA Mars Rover, Spirit and Opportunity, and the European spacecraft, Mars Express." http://www.bbc.co.uk/skyatnight ===== David Moore BSc FRAS, Chairman, Astronomy Ireland, P.O.Box 2888, Dublin 5. Editor, "Astronomy & Space" magazine. ASTRONOMY SHOP: open until 6pm Mon.-Sat. Tel (01) 847 0777. www.astronomy.ie (Subscribe to our FREE emailing list) Email: info@astronomy.ie NOTE: P.S. DID YOU KNOW that using the link on the last line below you can see an archive of all the past notices that have been sent? You can also change your subscription settings to this list: