1. IAA Lecture, Wed 6 March. N. Ireland's first Dark Sky Park and Observatory
By Prof Brian, TCD, & Mary McKeown and Charmaine Bell, MUDC.
This talk will feature the latest on the light pollution problem, particularly addressing the local situation, by Prof Brian Espey of TCD, the leading authority in Ireland on the issue. There will also be presentations on the Davagh Forest Dark Sky Park and Observatory, by Mary McKeown of MUDC who is driving the whole project, including a state of the art observatory incorporated in the Visitors Centre, and by Charmaine Bell of MUDC, who is leading the application to the IDA for official Dark Sky Park recognition. I have been leading the IAA input into this project, and you'll be amazed at what it is going to include!
Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building , QUB, 7.30pm
All welcome. Free admission, including light refreshments.
2. Innovation Week at BCO, 4-9 March
Tuesday 5th March, 2019, 3pm - 6pm , CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory , Castle Road, Blackrock. Join Dr. Niall Smith, CIT Head of Research and Head of Blackrock Castle Observatory for an inspirational talk on New Space.
The global space industry is currently worth €300 billion annually and this is set to rise to €1.1 trillion by 2040. Much of the growth in the activity will be fueled by the appearance of new private enterprises who have a commercial objective for being involved. Smaller satellites, customised builds, greater satellite interconnectivity and more potent global coverage will affect almost every aspect of what we do on the Earth today. And at the same time we will see a return to the Moon and the first forays onto Mars. All of the new activity presents opportunities for almost every Irish sector, from precision farming and space-based internet-of-things to smarter cities, smarter government and a more interconnected world irrespective of where you are.
This talk will explore the opportunities for enterprise, education and society that New Space will bring. It will examine why comparator countries like New Zealand are developing space ports and new satellite technologies, and consider what the roadmap for Ireland should look like if we are to benefit from the upcoming step-change in space activity
For other Space events in Innovation week see https://enterprise.cit.ie/innovation-week
3. March 7. Space Careers Roadshow at Athlone Institute of Technology
For Engineers Week 2019, Athlone Institute of Technology will host a Space Career Roadshow in conjunction with Science Foundation Ireland, ESERO Ireland and CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory. These roadshows will provide students with an excellent opportunity to engage with space industry professionals, and third level institutions, so that they can get a taste of the exciting opportunities that a STEM career in Space has to offer.
Audience – Transition Year, 5th and 6th year students. Second level teachers.Admission – Free (By invitation). Further information here: https://www.sciencespace.ie/event/space-careers-roadshow-athlone-i
4. 11 March. How we got to the Moon and Back, by Brian MacGabhann:
Cork Astronomy Club hosts a talk on the Apollo 11 Mission to the Moon
A milestone in human history, the 1969 Apollo 11 mission landed the first two people on the Moon. Brian MacGabhann, a prominent amateur astronomer from Galway, will give an illustrated talk "How We Got To The Moon and Back", tracing the steps that led to this achievement, using technology that would now be regarded as primitive.
Time: 7:50 pm for 8 pm; Date: Monday 11th March; Location: UCC Civil Engineering Building, Lecture Theatre 2. Admission: Free
5. The ISS continues its series of morning passes until 15 March Details for your own location, and lots more info on space and astronomy, on www.heavens-above.com.
If you want to check for transits of the ISS across the Sun or the Moon which occur somewhere near you, visit http://transit-finder.com
6. EARTH HOUR at BCO, 30 March.
This is a global campaign that seeks to raise awareness of environmental issues via a symbolic "Lights Out" event. This Lights Out event also serves as a wonderful opportunity to discuss Ireland's Dark Sky Heritage. As recipients of the International Astronomical Union's Dark Skies For All fund, CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory are affirming our commitment to promoting and protecting Ireland's astronomical heritage by using Earth Hour to launch a 6 Week program of Dark Sky Events.
We have a jam-packed schedule of free events on the night, including a Star Cycle, Public Astronomy Sessions and more. Full schedule via the link below.
Time: 8 pm – 10 pm, Audience: Public, Admission: Free
Further details here: https://www.bco.ie/events/earth-hour-3/
7. Dark Sky Week Workshops at CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory, April 1-5
For Dark Sky Week, discover how your students can participate in citizen science with Globe at Night. Learn about constellations and get ready to report on how light pollution affects your view of the night sky. How can light fittings be designed to give us light where we need it and still let us see the stars?
Each visit also includes a Planetarium Show and Castle Tour.
Time: 10 am – 1pm. Audience: 3rd Class to 6th Class. Admission: €5 per student. Further details here: https://www.bco.ie/events/dark-sky-week-workshops/
8. COSMOS 2019. 5-7 April, Athlone. More details later
9. Yuri's Night, Friday April 12;
Event at CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory
Have you ever wanted to see what the Moon looks like through a telescope? Well this is your chance! Join us at CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory where we'll be celebrating the anniversary of humanity's first orbit of Earth, by checking out our nearest celestial neighbour with FREE telescope viewing sessions.
Observing, as always, is weather dependent.
Time: 6 pm – 8 pm. Audience: Public/Families, Admission: Free.
Further details here: https://www.bco.ie/events/lifelong-learning-festival-yuris-night/
10. New NASA consortium to study origin of life
https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2019/02/14/new-nasa-research-consortium-tackle-lifes-origins
11. Become an IAU Dark Skies Ambassador. The IAU100 Global Project Dark Skies for All project aims to raise awareness for the preservation of quiet and dark skies and claim the right to future generations to continue to access our true night skies. The project now opens the registration for becoming one of its ambassadors. Additionally, the IAU100 is issuing a call for proposals to receive the "Turn on the Night" educational kit and encourages educators, astronomy professionals and enthusiasts around the world to apply.
You can find more information here: https://www.iau-100.org/darkskies-ambassadors-call
12. IAU100 Amateur Astronomy Day Event on 13 April 2019 in Brussels
On Saturday 13 April 2019 at the Palace of the Academies in Brussels, Belgium, the International Astronomical Union will organise its first event for amateur astronomers. With an inspirational full-day event that will include NASA astronaut John Grunsfeld, renowned scientists involved in hot topics in astronomy and presentations from the amateur astronomical community. With this event, the IAU aims to further build the relationship between amateur astronomers, their organizations and the IAU. The IAU100 Secretariat hereby invites amateur astronomers to attend the event.
You can find more information here: https://www.iau-100.org/amateur-astronomers-day
13. Suggest names for Jupiter's new moons
In July 2018, Scott Sheppard of the Carnegie Institution for Science announced the discovery of 12 new moons orbiting Jupiter. Eleven are "normal" outer moons, and one is what he called an "oddball." This brought Jupiter's total number of known moons to a whopping 79 — the most of any planet in our solar system. Now you can help Sheppard and his co-discoverers select the names for five of these newly announced moons!
Contest Launch Date: February 21, 2019. Contest End Date: April 15, 2019
Submit: Tweet your suggested moon name to @JupiterLunacy and tell us why you picked it using 280 characters or fewer or a short video. Don't forget to include the hashtag #NameJupitersMoons.
The General Rules:
– Jupiter Moons must be named after characters from Roman or Greek mythology who were either descendants or lovers of the god known as Jupiter (Roman) or Zeus (Greeks).
– Submissions must be 16 characters or fewer, preferably one word.
– Submissions must not be offensive in any language or to any culture.
– Submissions must not be too similar to the existing names of any moons or asteroids.
– Names of a purely or principally commercial nature are prohibited.
– Names of individuals, places, or events that are principally known for political, military, or religious activities are not suitable.
– Names commemorating living persons are not allowed.
The Rules for Each Individual Moon:
S/2003 J5 (Jupiter LVII), S/2003 J15 (Jupiter LVIII), and S/2003 J3 (Jupiter LX) are all retrograde and thus names must be related to Jupiter or Zeus and end in an "e."
S/2017 J4 (Jupiter LXV) and S/2018 J1 (Jupiter LXXI) are prograde and thus names must be related to Jupiter or Zeus and end in an "a."
Learn More: Further details about how the International Astronomical Union names astronomical objects can be found here.
This video details some of the possible Jupiter moon names and can tell you more about how the Jupiter moon-naming process works.
Make Sure Your Proposed Name Is Not Already In Use: Current Asteroid names can be checked at the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center here or here.
– Existing names for Jupiter's other moons can be checked at Sheppard's website here.
14. Centenary of IAU in 2019: IAU100: Uniting our World to Explore the Universe
In 2019, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) celebratesits 100th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, the IAU will organize a year-long celebration to expand awareness of a century of astronomical discoveries as well as to support and improve the use of astronomy as a tool for education, development, and diplomacy under the central theme "Uniting our World to Explore the Universe". The celebrations will stimulate worldwide interest in astronomy and science and will reach out to the global astronomical community, national science organizations and societies, policy-makers, students and families, and the general public.
NEW IAU100 Celebrations around the World for details for your own country, check the link below.
With Astronomy events of all kinds, including national and cultural events, the IAU100 is engaging with different communities worldwide. Meet the IAU100 National Committees and learn more about the people who are here to support you during the 2019 celebrations. For the UK, it's Prof Robert Walsh, originally from Belfast, but now at U of Central Lancs (who gave a great talk to the IAA in Belfast some years ago); and for ROI it's the indefatigable Clair McSweeney from BCO in Cork. See https://www.sciencespace.ie/celebrating-100-years-of-the-international-astronomical-union-ireland/
Read more: https://www.iau-100.org/national-committees
15. Turn on the Night Educational Kit
The IAU100 Global Project Dark Skies for All project aims to raise awareness of the need to preserve quiet, dark skies and claim the right for future generations to continue to access our true night skies. The IAU100 is issuing a call for proposals to receive the "Turn on the Night" educational kit and encourages educators, astronomy professionals, and enthusiasts around the world to apply.
Throughout the IAU100 Global Program, about 200 educators around the world will be able to have this kit at production cost. Around 50 additional kits will be attributed and distributed for free by the IAU100 Secretariat to those who cannot afford the production cost. To apply for these IAU100 special conditions, please submit the completed application by 1 March 2019.
More information here: https://www.iau-100.org/darkskies-for-all
16. WAGIA special prize
Women and Girls in Astronomy Special Prize
A new special prize has been announced for event organisers that conduct activities for IAU100 that innovatively celebrate Women and Girls in Astronomy. We strongly encourage the organization of activities throughout 2019, as the perfect opportunity to celebrate girls and women in astronomy.
More information: https://www.iau-100.org/womenandgirls-in-astronomy
17. Einstein Schools program new resources announced
The Einstein Schools program is taking off with over 160 schools working to become IAU-certified Einstein Schools. All participants in this program can now find more teaching resources that can be used in classrooms. For example, there are now a number of black holes' related activities together with more resources on teaching about solar eclipses in preparation for the special ceremonies on May 29 in Principe and Brazil related to the 100th anniversary of Eddington eclipse expedition of 1919 that confirmed Einstein's Theory of General Relativity.
Finally, the project has also added three classroom-useful graphic short stories called "Tales of the Modern Astronomer". These stories were developed at the U.S. National Optical Astronomy Observatory and highlight research related to black holes that are being done today at observatories around the world.
Find more information at the Einstein Schools official website: https://www.einsteinschools.org/
18. IAU100 Amateur Astronomy Day Event on 13 April 2019 in Brussels
On Saturday 13 April 2019 at the Palace of the Academies in Brussels, Belgium, the International Astronomical Union will organise its first event for amateur astronomers. With an inspirational full-day event that will include NASA astronaut John Grunsfeld, renowned scientists involved in hot topics in astronomy and presentations from the amateur astronomical community. With this event, the IAU aims to further build the relationship between amateur astronomers, their organizations and the IAU. The IAU100 Secretariat hereby invites amateur astronomers to engage with the event by attending and/or sharing their work as an amateur astronomer.
You can find more information here: https://www.iau-100.org/amateur-astronomers-day
19. European Week of Astronomy and Space Science
Date: 24 – 28 June 2019
Location: Lyon, France
More information: https://eas.unige.ch//EWASS/
20. Starmus V — Star-studded Lineup for 2019
Created by Garik Israelian, a researcher at the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC), the Starmus Festival is a combination of science, art and music that has featured presentations from astronauts, cosmonauts, Nobel Prize winners and other prominent figures from science, culture, the arts and music. Now celebrating its fifth year, and timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Moon landings, Starmus V will take place in Bern, Switzerland, from 24 to 29 June 2019. The IAU is a partner organisation of Starmus and among the confirmed speakers will be IAU Secretary General, Piero Benvenuti, and IAU President-elect, Ewine van Dishoeck. IAU announcement: https://www.iau.org/news/announcements/detail/ann18007/
21. IAU100: Moon Landing 50th Anniversary - Let's All Observe the Moon!
Date: 20 July 2019
Location: All around the world
More information: https://www.iau-100.org/moon-landing-anniversary
The Moon will be waning gibbous, and not rising until about midnight, but at least some spectacular formations will be visible for those prepared to stay up late!
22. Festival of Curiosity, Dublin. July 18 – 21, 2019
23. INTERESTING WEBLINKS (Disclaimer - Use of material herein from various sources does not imply approval or otherwise of the opinions, political or otherwise, of those sources). NB: If the title in the weblink does not indicate the subject matter, I give a brief simple intro before the link. I may also comment about the link afterwards.
ASTROPHYSICS
Salt surrounds young star! https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190207114958.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29
Stealthy Black Hole found https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190228141252.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29
Stardust grains model nova eruptions https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190228174235.htm
New ultra diffuse galaxy challenges theories https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190227111123.htm
Dark Matter may need right density to scatter against itself https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190227092327.htm
ALMA finds two birth cries from a single star https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190226112305.htm
Old stars can live longer than we thought https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190225112305.htm
Citizen scientist finds oldest coldest white dwarf is surrounded by rings https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190219132736.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29
Tidal tails of the Hyades star cluster https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190215110300.htm
Nearby river of stars in S sky. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190215092908.htm
COSMOLOGY
New precise measure of Hubble Constant is a problem for standard theory of universe https://www.livescience.com/64724-hubble-constant-measured-precisely-with-quasars.html?utm_source=ls-newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20190208-ls
No sign of 'Sparticles' https://www.livescience.com/64893-search-for-supersymmetry.html?utm_source=ls-newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20190301-ls
GWs from merging neutron stars will settle question of Hubble constant https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190214115549.htm
EARTH & MOON
https://www.aol.co.uk/news/2019/02/09/bird-fossil-found-with-feathers-still-attached/?ncid=webmail
Live thrived on Earth 3.5 Bn years ago https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190208085855.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29
make-up of ancient meteorites https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190208085852.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6752341/One-tonne-Soviet-probe-crash-Earth-YEAR.html
Meteorites provide clues to delivery of water to early Earth https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190214115616.htm
EXOPLANETS
Odd exoplanet orbit due to recent stellar close pass. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190228093551.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29
IMAGES
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6746645/Inventive-snapper-creates-stunning-moon-photos-combining-50-000-photos.html Absolutely superb!
SOLAR SYSTEM
Ancient Mars had underground lakes https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6760865/Probes-boost-case-underground-lakes-Mars.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6744809/Bullseye-Stunning-New-Horizons-images-reveal-best-look-Ultima-Thule.html (As I predicted - ok, guessed – it has a scattering of craters, even though space the further out you go from the Sun, the fewer objects there will be in any given volume of space.)
Small EKBOs are surprisingly rare https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190228141252.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29
New evidence for Planet 9. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190227124832.htm
Neptune's new moon Hippocamp hurtles round the planet and may be part of another moon
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190221095033.htm and
SPACE
Chang-e4 rover and lander imaged by LRO https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190208161453.htm
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6752341/One-tonne-Soviet-probe-crash-Earth-YEAR.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6747723/Elon-Musk-says-Starship-fly-humans-moon-train-missions-Mars.html Interesting, but there's a misquote: it should be "the Moon has NO atmosphere".
NASA selects 12 lunar missions that could fly this year https://newatlas.com/nasa-12-experiments-moon-selection/58594/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2019-02-22%20093714%20Other%20Daily%20Basic%202019-02-22%20094208%20Synthetic%20DNA%20demonstrates%20just%20how%20weird%20aliens%20might%20be&utm_content=2019-02-22%20093714%20Other%20Daily%20Basic%202019-02-22%20094208%20Synthetic%20DNA%20demonstrates%20just%20how%20weird%20aliens%20might%20be+CID_8d2df6a6595c8a588a0d6876cdb06626&utm_source=Campaign%20Monitor&utm_term=Read%20more
How water could be made on the Moon. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190220121932.htm
Simulations study weak spots in missions to Mars https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190217115854.htm This doesn't go anywhere near far enough! The longest simulation so far is only 45 days, whereas the actual trip will take about 8 months! And all the simulations take place in normal Earth gravity. Then they will also be confined in very close proximity while on the surface of Mars, and then face another 8 months weightless in a space craft on the way back. So that will be a total of 16 months weightless, interrupted by almost 20 months on Mars in about 1/3 Earth gravity. But while on Mars they will also be subject to lots of other extreme pressures, which can be summed up in one word – surviving! If only it was as easy as shown in Star Trek!
SUN
NASA to monitor space weather via ISS and airglow. https://newatlas.com/nasa-space-weather-awe-iss/58635/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2019-02-26%20093029%20Other%20Daily%20Basic%202019-02-26%20093433%20Chinas%20amazing%20horizontal%20skyscraper%20nears%20completion&utm_content=2019-02-26%20093029%20Other%20Daily%20Basic%202019-02-26%20093433%20Chinas%20amazing%20horizontal%20skyscraper%20nears%20completion+CID_2f25b00bbb88dab12ac0f314f861cf31&utm_source=Campaign%20Monitor&utm_term=Read%20more
I-LOFAR and TCD's Diana Morosan make major find iro Solar storms https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190219132905.htm. Also contributing were Eoin P. Carley, Laura A. Hayes, Sophie A. Murray, Joe McCauley, and Peter T. Gallagher.
Tadpole pseudo-shocks heat solar corona https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190219155204.htm It's good to see Prof Gerry Doyle of AOP, who gave us a fascinating talk last autumn, as one of the authors.
TELESCOPES, INSTRUMENTS
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6747773/NASA-telescope-discover-1-400-new-planets-outside-solar-system.html and https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190225133725.htm
New spectrograph finds planets round cool stars https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190221095054.htm
Astrocomb greatly improves chances of planet-finding https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190219132738.htm
24. JOINING the IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION. This link downloads a Word document to join the IAA. http://documents.irishastro.org.uk/iaamembership.doc
If you are a UK taxpayer, please tick the 'gift-aid' box, as that enables us to reclaim the standard rate of tax on your subscription, at no cost to you. You can also make a donation via Paypal if you wish: just click on the 'Donate' button. See also www.irishastro.org .
The Irish Astronomical Association is registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC 105858
DISCLAIMER: Any views expressed herein are mine, and do not necessarily represent those of the IAA.
Clear skies,
Terry Moseley
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