COSMOS, ISS, Planet Earth, SDAS, IAA at Mount Stewart

 

Hi all,

A final reminder -

1. COSMOS 2008: April 4 - 6. Hosted by the Tullamore Astro Society: Ireland's second longest running Star Party takes place at Annaharvey Equestrian Centre, Tullamore, Co Offaly.  Details are on the TAS website: www.tullamoreastronomy.com, or Contact: Seanie Morris: (087)6825910.  Speakers include:

• Dr. Miruna Popescu, Armagh Observatory:

• Mr. Pat O'Neill, Irish Astronomical Association:

• Professor John Zarnecki, Open University:

• Dr. David Asher, Armagh Observatory:

• Mr. Trevor O'Donoghue, Kerry Astronomy Club:

• Mr. Albert White, South Dublin Astronomy Society and ILPAC:

• Mr. John Lally, Tullamore Astronomical Society:

See: http://www.irishastronomy.org/boards/viewtopic.php?t=8506

2. The ISS + the now docked European 'Jules Verne' ATV are currently making evening passes over Ireland. The ATV has just made the first ever totally automatic docking in space, closing in on and then attaching itself to the enormous ISS. Details of visibility of these passes as always are on the excellent, free, site www.heavens-above.com

3. PUBLIC LECTURE:

The Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming, by Professor Ray Bates: Dublin, Burke Theatre, Trinity College Dublin, Wednesday 9th April 2008 at 1800

and

Wexford, McLure Suite, Whites of Wexford Hotel, Thursday 10th April 2008 at 2000

The natural greenhouse effect due to the heat-absorbing gases such as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is essential for maintaining a comfortable temperature for life on earth. As the concentrations of the naturally occurring greenhouse gases are enhanced by man-made emissions, however, things may become very uncomfortable. In this talk, the basic mechanism of the greenhouse effect will be described and the consequences of man’s activities in raising greenhouse gas levels will be discussed.

Ray is Adjunct Professor of Meteorology at UCD and Emeritus Professor of Meteorology at the University of Copenhagen. He was formerly a senior scientist in the Laboratory for Atmospheres at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre. For most of his career he has been involved in research on modelling the earth’s atmosphere and in recent years has concentrated on studying the basic physics of the greenhouse effect.

More details from: Andrea Kwateng, International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE) www.planetearth.ie,  c/o Geological Survey of Ireland (GSI), +353 86 0443013, andrea.kwateng@crucial.ie, andrea.kwateng@gsi.ie

4. SDAS MEETING DEFERRED: Due to other circumstances that have arisen we have to defer the meeting to April 10th. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. John Flannery,
South Dublin Astronomical Society. www.southdublinastronomy.org, tel: (086) 81 81 931

5. IAA ASTRONOMY EVENING, MOUNT STEWART, GREYABBEY, CO DOWN, Sat 12 April. The Irish Astronomical Association will be holding another public astronomy evening with telescopes, talks, exhibition, and a portable planetarium at the National Trust's Mount Stewart House near Greyabbey, Co Down. We start at 8.0 p.m., so have your telescopes etc ready by then. IAA members bringing telescopes or binoculars get in free; otherwise standard NT admission charges apply. All welcome. See www.irishastro.org for more details.

Clear skies,

Terry Moseley