Hi all,
1. Major IAA EVENT, Saturday 25 February, for N. I Science Festival, 16.00 – 21.00.
The IAA will be doing a major event, at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, N of Lurgan, on Saturday 25 February. There will be a water/compressed air rocket launching demo and competition in the afternoon, solar and night-time observing if the skies are clear, starshows in our mobile planetarium, a wide selection of meteorites on display, some of which you can actually handle, telescopes on display with advice on buying and using them, a workshop on simple astrophotography, meet the guy who will probably be N.I's first astronaut, Virtual Reality views of space and the Universe, bat and moth discovery walks, and more!
Bring your own 2-litre fizzy drinks plastic bottle to make into an amazing rocket, and we'll have some of our own if you can't. NB – they must be for carbonated, ie fizzy drinks, to withstand the pressure of the compressed air!
You can also make your own rocket in advance and bring it along: it must be a 'fizzy drinks' bottle as above. The following link gives an idea of what it should look like. Ignore any other websites or videos that mention a cork - we'll use a different system. All you need to do is fit 3 or 4 stabilising cardboard 'fins' at the NECK end of the bottle, and a streamlining nose cone over the BASE of the bottle – it will be launched upside down! It also helps if you fit a small weight (about 50 - 100gm) securely to the centre of the outside of the base of the bottle, before fitting the nose cone
Water Rockets (nasa.gov) Ignore the 'plume', and everything below that – we supply the launch equipment.
All IAA members and friends are welcome, with telescopes if possible – we need as many volunteers as possible!
2. IAA Lecture, Wed 1 March, 7.30 p.m, LARMOR LECTURE THEATRE, Physics Building, QUB, "Observing Solar Activity in Lyman-alpha Emission"
By Dr Ryan Milligan, Astrophysics Research Centre, QUB.
Synopsis: The Lyman-alpha line of neutral hydrogen is the strongest emission line in the solar spectrum, and yet observations of solar activity at this fundamental wavelength have been scarce in recent decades. In this talk I will discuss why studying the Sun's Lyman-alpha emission is so important, particularly in the context of Space Weather. I will also give an overview some recent work that I have carried out on this topic as we await data from a range of new Lyman-alpha instruments during Solar Cycle 25.
Biography: Ryan graduated from QUB with a PhD in Solar Physics in 2006. He began his postdoctoral career at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center under a NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship working on the RHESSI mission performing multi-wavelength studies of solar flares. In 2011 he returned to QUB under a Leverhulme Trust Fellowship but retained his NASA connections, receiving several research grants under the Living With A Star program that allowed him to divide his time between Belfast and Washington DC. In 2016 he was awarded a prestigious STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship that he took to the University of Glasgow. In 2019 he returned to QUB to take up the position of lecturer in astrophysics and is currently leading his own research group on solar flares and space weather. He is also an avid solar eclipse chaser.
ADMISSION FREE, including light refreshments – All welcome!
3. N. I Science Festival, 2023, Feb 16 – 26,
For details see Facebook: @niacifest Twitter @niscifest Instagram @niscifest
Or email info@nisciencefestival.com
4. Venus approaching Jupiter; closest on 1 March
As Venus moves out from the Sun in the W sky, and Jupiter closes in as it heads for conjunction.
They will appear closest together on the evening of 1 March; just before setting they will be only 36' apart, or just a bit more than a lunar diameter. Of course, it's just a line of sight effect, with Jupiter at a distance of 864m km, and Venus a mere 205m km away.
Next evening, the separation will have increased to about 48', or 1.5 lunar diameters.
5. Professor Gillian Wright CBE FRSE, Director at the UK Astronomy Technology Centre in Edinburgh, is the first UK winner of the Caroline Herschel Medal, a joint award from the Royal Astronomical Society and the German Astronomical Society (Astronomische Gesellschaft, AG). Professor Wright wins the medal in recognition of her leadership of the development of the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), in operation since the summer of 2021.
6. February Dark Sky Events in Mayo DSP
Weekly Dark Sky Walks continue on Fridays at 8pm*
1st Friday of the month walks start from Ballycroy Visitor Centre, Wild Nephin National Park. All other Fridays walks start from the Brogan Carroll Bothy at Letterkeen.
* Take part in Star Count 2023 (17th - 24th February)
Dark Sky Ireland (our newly formed NGO for Protecting and Restoring Dark Skies over Ireland), has agreed to support and promote StarCount 2023 across Ireland. This Citizen Science Project, organised by the CPRE (a UK Countryside Charity), will include star counts conducted in Ireland to help us form a baseline of data going forward. We will be taking part on any walks during 17th - 24th February and encourage you to take a look at their info pack and join us in gathering data for Ireland's dark skies.
* Mayo Dark Sky Champion Training Course - 28th February
We have a really exciting programme organised for the 2023 Dark Sky Champion training course for our tourism and hospitality businesses in County Mayo. Two guest speakers have kindly agreed to join us and we will host workshops in Westport and in Ballycroy (approx 2 hours per event, repeated in both locations).
* Duncan Wise of Northumberland Dark Sky Park - Duncan will present a talk on his work as Dark Skies Lead officer and the success of dark sky tourism in the Northumberland area. This is estimated to be worth approximately £25m to the local economy annually. Duncan has led many of the initiatives for developing dark sky tourism and will bring some of his insights and ideas to his talk as part of the training.
* Dr Tony Johnston of TUS Midlands Midwest - Tony will present his work on a new European project specifically focused on Dark Sky Ecotourism with the aim of providing guides and education for tourism business and building a suite of tools and resources for areas seeking to promote sustainable dark sky tourism.
*To register for this free course, please complete the application form in this link.
7. IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach - Women and Girls in Astronomy (11 Feb – 8 Mar)
UPDATE
The Women and Girls in Astronomy project supports events that recognise the role of all women in advancing science and encourages everyone on and off the gender spectrum to consider careers in astronomy. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) strongly encourages activities throughout the year, with a particular focus between two International Days adopted by the United Nations: the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February and International Women's Day on 8 March.
With each new edition, the Women and Girls in Astronomy project strives to grow and improve. We want to clearly state that trans women are women. We invite everyone on and off the gender spectrum to engage with this programme, highlighting our shared and individual experiences that can help us grow toward a better, more inclusive future in STEM.
Join the 2023 Edition of Women and Girls in Astronomy
The IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach (OAO) invites all outreach practitioners, parents, youth and astronomers to contribute to the programme and support a number of virtual and in-person events that recognise the contributions of all women and girls in astronomy.
If you are an astronomy outreach practitioner
Host your own event to celebrate all women and girls in astronomy! You can host a Meet the IAU Astronomers! event, organise a gender-inclusive stargazing night, and much more! Register your event in the Astronomy Outreach Event Calendar, and we'll promote the events on our social media.
8. Dark Sky Ireland, Star Count
From: Dark Sky Ireland :
we are joining up with the UK's CPRE (a Countryside Charity) for "STAR COUNT 2023", a Citizen Science project to help gather baseline data on the status of dark skies across Ireland. The STAR COUNT of 2022 gathered almost 3,000 participants in the UK which is an unprecedented number, providing a good indication of both interest in the night sky and a helpful amount of data for the research.
STAR COUNT 2023 will take place between 17th - 24th February and we encourage everyone to join us in gathering data for Ireland's dark skies.
The CPRE information pack gives all the information on how to sign up and links to resources to help spread the word on social media. DSI_Star_Count_2023_pack.pdf (mcusercontent.com)
9. ISS. The International Space Station started a new series of morning passes over Ireland on 19 February . Details on www.heavens-above.com
10.Next Space and Astronomy Webinar Returns, Tuesday 28 February!
We'll be back, with the amazing Nick Howes, for Space Roundup from SpaceStore Live, on 28 February at 7.30 p.m. All the latest news about what's happening in space and astronomy. Totally free – don't miss it.
11. Free talk in the Ulster Transport Museum, Tuesday 28 February 7pm
Part of the Our Place in Space project, the 11.8km scale model of the solar system which has just launched in North Down.
Comet Madness with Richard J. Goodrich
Author and historian Richard J. Goodrich will examine the 1910 appearance of Halley's Comet and the ensuing frenzy sparked by media manipulation, bogus science, and outright deception that followed.
12. Astronomy Photographer of the Year Competition has opened
Astronomy photographer of the year competition opens for submissions | Space
13. Global Sky Clubs for schools:
Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) is offering a new program exclusively for astronomy clubs in schools that want to perform research projects or investigations. LCO provides 10 hours of time on its 10 x 0.4m telescope network.
For more information about the program, eligibility and how to apply, please see this website.
14. Irish Astronomy Week, 20 - 26 March – UPDATE (from Ronan Newman)
The goal behind Irish Astronomy Week and its theme "The Stars for Everyone" is to inspire, encourage and help provide opportunities for people of all ages to connect with the Universe, to promote an appreciation and understanding of the night sky, and to enjoy it in a non-intrusive and non-destructive manner.
There has been an excellent response to this project, far exceeding expectations and I hope participants will make their events free of charge as happens with Science Week, Space Week and Heritage Week, but of course donations can be welcomed for their organisations.
There is a wide variety of interested groups including the National Parks, Geoparks of the Cooper Coast, Joyce Country and Cuilcagh Lakelands, eco-tourism destinations, all three Planetariums, Observatories, Science Centres, Telescope shops, official IDA Dark Sky locations, Dark Sky Groups, and even remote communities like Clare Island and Inishbofin. As you can imagine several are looking for support and ideas, or just a need for people to give children's workshops, night sky tours or even ways to explore their own dark sky tourism potential. I am asking fellow outreach co-ordinators of the Irish Astronomical community to please reach out and help in this endeavour.
The go-fund me page has raised over a phenomenal €1700, the majority of this is going towards a new website which will be online next month. The remaining money will be spent on bookmarks and posters that are being designed for the 150+ libraries that will be sharing our passion with astronomy themed displays of books, e-books, and e-comics. Any remaining donations will be transferred to an IFAS account for the 2024 event. Other libraries will be hosting astronomy talks, if your local library wants to get involved or if you would like to give a talk there, please let me know so I can add to the website.
None of this could happen without support from all the Irish Astronomy Clubs and Societies, Science Foundation Ireland, fellow amateur astronomers around around the country and the IFAS (Irish Federation of Astronomical Societies) Council who are fully behind and involved in running this project.
Website coming next month.
The dates: March 20th to 26th begins with a New Moon and as the days continue there will be three Lunar conjunctions of Jupiter, Venus and M45, its also a perfect time for an "Irish" Messier marathon, the possibilities are endless. Finally, I am delighted to see the return of the COSMOS Starparty in Tullamore and the Skellig Dark Sky Festival both taking place that weekend and I wish them success in their respective events.
15. Skellig Coast Dark Sky Festival, Co Kerry, 24 – 26 March
See: https://www.facebook.com/scdarkskyfest
16. COSMOS 2023: This has now been confirmed for Saturday 25 March. It will be great to have this annual midlands attraction back again. The new venue is a dark sky location: Midlands National Shooting Centre at Boora, County Offaly on Saturday 25th March, and there will be six speakers.
The shooting centre is less than 15 minutes from Tullamore and has a rustic feel to it, a bit like Annaharvey back in the old days. It has all the necessary facilities, and lunch will be available on site, as well as tea & coffee.
More details when available.
17. IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach - Dark and Quiet Skies
In May 2023, we plan to build off of the success of last year's celebration of the dark and quiet sky. We will strengthen our connections with our collaborators, including the Center for Protection of the Dark and Quiet Sky from Satellite Interference (CPS) and the International Day of Light (IDL). This year, we are planning some new events, like a worldwide trivia night (with prizes!) and a light pollution pledge. In the coming months, we will announce more details about how you can participate in the fight to end light pollution!
18. First Announcement: European Society for Astronomy in Culture Conference, 6-9 September
The 30th conference of the European Society for Astronomy in Culture (SEAC) will take place from 6-9 September 2023, in Warsaw, Poland. The theme of this SEAC conference is: Between ancient and modern astronomy. Throughout this conference, the organisers hope to commemorate two significant anniversaries related to Nicolas Copernicus: the 550th anniversary of his birth and the 480th anniversary of his death. For more information about how to contribute to this conference, see this page.
19. New Easy Teaser.
In astronomy, what have J, K, Q, W, X, Y, Z got in common?
No correct answers yet, so here's a clue. It's something that they haven't got, which they have in common.
Another clue: there's a connection to the call often given in Bingo "Two fat ladies", although maybe that's banned now!
20. NEW DIFFICULT TEASER:
Apart from being the world's largest telescope on an equatorial mounting, what OTHER world record does the 5m Hale telescope on Mt Palomar still hold?
No guesses yet, so here's a clue. It's something very simple.
Please send all Teaser answers to me at my aol address terrymosel@aol.com
21. INTERESTING WEBLINKS (Disclaimer – leading its nameUse 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:
'Runaway' black hole the size of 20 million suns found speeding through space with a trail of newborn stars behind it | Live Science and https://www.sciencealert.com/a-fleeing-black-hole-was-found-leaving-a-trail-of-newborn-stars-in-its-wake and
Astronomers Spot a Rogue Supermassive Black Hole, Hurtling Through Space Leaving Star Formation in its Wake - Universe Today The early universe was crammed with stars 10,000 times the size of our sun, new study suggests | Live Science It's hard to see how this could happen when the universe was expanding so rapidly after the Big Bang. Imagine a scaled down analogy - a gas, or even a bomb, explosion – the gases of the fireball are expanding far too fast to clump together.
Six massive early galaxies 'challenge understanding of the universe' (msn.com)
Cosmic 'tadpole' points to ultra-rare black hole hiding near the Milky Way's center | Live Science
Scientists have discovered a new galaxy that doesn't have any stars (msn.com)
Black holes may be the source of mysterious dark energy | Space and Dark energy from supermassive black holes? Physicists spar over radical idea | Science | AAAS
Spherical symmetry in the kilonova AT2017gfo/GW170817 | Nature
Dark energy may have been hiding in the cores of black holes all along | New Scientist
Astrophysicists discover the perfect explosion in space (spacedaily.com)Astronomers Might See Dark Matter by Staring into the Void - Scientific American Astronomers Find First Ever Rogue Black Hole Adrift in the Milky Way - Scientific American Universe's largest known spiral galaxy shines in new image | SpaceScientists observe high-speed star formation (spacedaily.com) COSMOLOGY
Space telescope uncovers massive galaxies near cosmic dawn | AP News – I reckon there's something missing from the standard BB model!
Black holes may be the source of mysterious dark energy | Space and
Astronomers Find Evidence That Black Holes May Be the Source of Dark Energy | Watch (msn.com) (there's a lot of controversy about this claim)
Detailed new map of all matter in the universe hints at something missing (newatlas.com)
EARTH & MOON
New Spacecraft Can See Into the Permanently Shadowed Craters on the Moon - Universe Today
Earth's Inner Core May Have an Inner Core - Scientific American
New space mission will watch for hazardous asteroids hidden by the Sun (newatlas.com) Why is that asteroid blazing away when it's still out in empty space? In fact, it looks as if it won't even hit the Earth!
Finding risky asteroids outshone by Sun (spacedaily.com)
Fragments of meteor that fell in Italy found on a balcony, photos (msn.com)
Lunar Resources and Wood selected by NASA to study building a pipeline on the Moon (moondaily.com)
Fragment of meteorite that exploded over the English Channel recovered in France (spacedaily.com)
Asteroid explodes over English Channel after hurtling towards Earth (msn.com)
Upsurge in rocket launches could impact the ozone layer (spacedaily.com)
Discovery of hidden structure in Earth's core could 'rewrite the textbooks' (msn.com)
EXOLIFE
EXOPLANETS
Very Large Telescope captures direct images of bright exoplanet (spacedaily.com)
Earth-size exoplanet spotted just 72 light-years away | Space
IMAGES
Stunning Mars vista https://www.facebook.com/543617930/posts/10160214274547931/?sfnsn=scwspmo
NASA's Webb Space Telescope Reveals Never-Before-Seen Details of Pandora's Cluster (msn.com) SOLAR SYSTEM Ingenuity helicopter's 1st flights shed light on Mars dust dynamics | Space
At Jupiter, JUICE and Clipper Will Work Together in Hunt for Life - Scientific American
Finding risky asteroids outshone by Sun (spacedaily.com)
Fragment of meteorite that exploded over the English Channel recovered in France (spacedaily.com)
NASA Spots One of the Most Elongated Asteroids Ever Observed on Radar (msn.com)
New auroras detected on Jupiter's four largest moons | Space
Hope probe to move to a new Mars orbit and observe deimos (marsdaily.com)
NASA study seeks to understand impact effects on Mars rocks (marsdaily.com)
Green comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) may be leaving the solar system | Space
SPACE
NASA, Boeing target April for manned Starliner test flight (spacedaily.com) Voyager 1 operating normally again. https://www.facebook.com/groups/100328570137468/permalink/1960366220800351/?sfnsn=scwspmo&ref=shareSpaceX, NASA delay Crew-6 astronaut launch to Feb. 27 | SpaceCrew stuck on ISS to return to Earth in September: Russia (spacedaily.com)China silent on fate of Tianwen 1 Mars mission's Zhurong rover | SpaceNASA plans super-fast rocket https://www.facebook.com/groups/100328570137468/permalink/1961385410698432/?sfnsn=scwspmo&ref=share Roscosmos is delaying the launch of the replacement Soyuz for crew return (spacedaily.com) I wonder what they'll do with the damaged one? Why not put just one pilot on board to fly it down? - that shouldn't create too much heat. Or can it be returned automatically?
Upsurge in rocket launches could impact the ozone layer (spacedaily.com)
China's space station experiments pave way for new space technology (spacedaily.com)
NASA, partners clear Axiom's second private astronaut mission crew (spacedaily.com)
FCC greenlights Amazon's Project Kuiper to deploy 3,236 satellites in LEO (spacedaily.com)
Russia releases 1st images of damage to leaky Soyuz spacecraft | Space
China to send 2 crews, 1 cargo ship to Tiangong space station in 2023 | Space
SUN
Mysterious origin of 'heartbeat-like' radio bursts from Sun found (msn.com)
Part of the sun is broken and scientists are baffled (msn.com) First of all, it's NOT broken. It's just a detached piece of plasma in a magnetic field. Secondly, the JWST absolutely did NOT make this observation. It is impossible for it to look even near to the Sun. Disgraceful journalism.
Never-before-seen light captured beaming out of the Sun (msn.com)
Sun erupts with X-class solar flare and here's the video to see it | Space
TELESCOPES, EQUIPMENT, Etc.
Very Large Telescope captures direct images of bright exoplanet (spacedaily.com)
22. JOINING the IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION. This link gives options to join the IAA.
https://irishastro.org/join-the-iaa/ If you are a UK taxpayer, please select 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 https://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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