IAA AGM, TONIGHT; Bovedy Meteorite Lectures, Fireball update

 

Hi all,

1. IAA AGM + IYA2009 Lecture, 15 April.  (Sorry for the short notice for this reminder - I'm just back from a short Easter Break.) The Irish Astronomical Association AGM will be held at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday 15 April, in the Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, main campus, QUB.

    This will be followed by a special lecture on IYA 2009, by none other than the great Galileo himself. Well, actually, it might be Prof Mike Redfern from NUI Galway, who's the official Irish Representative, or 'SPOC' for IYA2009. He has been seen in a strange outfit, masquerading as the great Italian astronomer!

    BRING & BUY: Some people have asked for a 'Bring & Buy' session after the AGM: We'll try to fit this in if there's time:

Derek Heatly says ".... after it I'd like to sell books for charity; and at a recent auction I paid £5 for a Halley's Comet whiskey bottle, deep blue glass, marked 1985/6, scheme of comet's path on back. Sorry, it's empty: if I got £5 I'd be happy."

   So bring along anything you want rid of, and plenty of cash for any bargains you might see!

Admission is free, including light refreshments, and all are welcome. 

   Free parking is available on the main campus, beside the lecture theatre, in the evenings - entrance via University Square.

   The IAA gratefully acknowledges the support of the Astrophysics and Planetary Science Division of the Department of Physics, QUB, in sponsoring these lectures.

   More details on www.irishastro.org.

2. BOVEDY METEORITE 40 Years On.

"TO HERE FROM ETERNITY: The 4.5 billion year story of the Bovedy and Sprucefield meteorites." 40 years ago a brilliant fireball streaked across the night sky (over Ireland), leaving behind two rocks, a damaged roof, and a hole in a field. But what happened to them before they arrived here?
   Dr Mike Simms, from the Ulster Museum, will take you on a journey from the very beginnings of the Solar System, as recorded in these amazing meteorites. There will be a chance to see some real meteorites, and a cast of the Bovedy meteorite. Bring along any you think you might have found.
    Monday 27th April, 7 pm: Bangor Library, 80 Hamilton Rd, Bangor, BT20 4LH, Tel. 028 91270591
     Tuesday 28th April, 8 pm: Garvagh Community Building, 85 Main Street, Garvagh (almost opposite the war memorial)
   Thursday 30th April, 7 pm: Irish Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum, Market Square, Lisburn.
ENTRY IS FREE!

3. FIREBALL UPDATE: Thanks for all the reports on the fireball seen after midnight on the night of 4-5 April. I've had one really excellent detailed report which will help to determine the trajectory, and calculate the final endpoint, and any possible meteorite fall. If you saw this event, or know someone who did, get them to send in a report to me asap.

Clear skies,

Terry Moseley