Hi all,
1. MERCURY + VENUS: Mercury continues its favourable evening elongation, close to bigger and brighter big sister Venus.
On the evening of 2 April Mercury will lie only 3° just below and right of Venus. Mercury slowly gets closer to Venus, approaching from the right as we look at it, and about level above the horizon with Venus. The separations about 30 mts after local sunset are:
2 Apr: 3° 4’; 3 Apr: 2° 59’; 4 Apr: 3°; 5 Apr: 3° 3’; 6 Apr: 3° 8’; 7 Apr: 3° 16’; 8 Apr 3° 27’.
Mercury's magnitude fades from -0.1 to +0.6 over this period, so the difference in brightness between it and Venus will become even more pronounced.
By 15 April Mercury will have moved back to about 7° below right of Venus, and faded to mag +1.1, but on that evening you have a rare chance to see the Moon closer to the Sun in the sky than Mercury! In mid twilight, the very thin crescent Moon will lie 1° 40’ below and right of Mercury. Mercury may be the hardest to see – if you see the Moon, draw an imaginary line from it to Venus, and Mercury will lie just slightly below and left of a point 1/5 of the way along that line.
2. IAA PUBLIC LECTURE: The next of the Irish Astronomical Association's public lectures will be given by Dr Chris Watson of QUB.
His talk is entitled "Exoplanets and Extraterrestrial life". Chris is well-known as an expert in this field, and was the principal organiser of the recent ASGI meeting at Queens, which covered this topic. This is sure to be a fascinating talk, on a fascinating subject: there are now well over 300 known exoplanets! It's on WEDNESDAY 7 April, at 7.30 p.m., in the Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, Queen's University, Belfast. ADMISSION IS FREE, as always, and includes light refreshments. Everyone is welcome! Full details of the rest of the programme are on the website: www.irishastro.org
3. Events at Blackrock Castle Observatory, Cork:
Monday March 29 – Sunday April 11: Easter Holidays - Children's Workshops Strange New Planet. Daily 1-2.30pm €5.00 No booking required. Ages 6-10. Accompanied children welcomed. Theme: ‘Who might live on Strange New Planets?’
Friday April 2: First Fridays at the Castle. Blackrock Castle Observatory hosts open nights on the first Friday of every month with inspired activities for visitors of all ages.
6-8pm Cosmic Calendars 4 half hour family friendly workshops
7.00pm Cork Science Café Open discussions on Time and Risk Perception led by Dr Dylan Evans
8.00pm Tony O’ Hanlon - 2012 - Is it really the end? Tony’s talk discusses Mayan astronomy and their calendar, what the astronomical situation will be on Dec 21st 2012 and finishes with what the really long term outcome of our planet might be.
9.00pm-10.30pm April is Global Astronomy Month. Explore the theme One people One Sky as we observe Mars and Saturn.
The award-winning interactive astronomy exhibit Cosmos at the Castle is open until 9.00pm and is free to the public
CORK SCIENCE CAFÉ
Cork Science Cafe is a place where anyone can come to explore the latest ideas in science and technology and their impact on our culture. Meetings take place monthly in the relaxed surrounds of the Castle Bar and Trattoria before the headline speaker at Blackrock Castle Observatory’s First Fridays at the Castle.
Saturday April 3
10.00pm-01.00am PULSE presents Circo Scientifico
Blackrock Castle Observatory presents Circo Scientifico. An evening of Illusion, Aerial Dance, Clowning, Film and Music is promised for all from a wide range of local and international performers and scientists. Be prepared to be amazed, awe-struck and enthralled as the mysteries of science are explored through the elements of circus.
Experience
– the illusory theatricals of Fernando
– science mysteries on 4 screens
– the revelry of the Circo Castello performers
– the grace and beauty of Chloe de Buyl-Pisco’s Dance
– the voodoo jazz and vaudeville vibes of DJ Dr Fiasco
PULSE at Blackrock Castle Observatory (BCO), is a renaissance showcase where art, science and technology come to play together in the space age multimedia environment of the centuries old Castle. Admission: Tickets €10.00 per person (Right of Admission Reserved)
Every Saturday and Sunday. 3pm-4pm That's Why! A new science club for kids aged 9-12. €5 drop in admission fee. Let your kids join in an hour of fun filled discussion, exploring exciting themes in science, technology and astronomy. The theme for April is Astrobiology, the study of potential alien life. See: www.bco.ie or call on 00 - 353 - 21- 4357917.
4. COSMOS 2010, 9 - 11 April: The annual COSMOS spring star party / astrofest will be held as usual at Annaharvey Farm, just outside Tullamore, Co Offaly. this is always an enjoyable event, with good talks, good fun, and a good record of at least some clear skies for observing each time. It's hosted by the Midlands Astronomy Club (formerly Tullamore A.S.) See: http://www.tullamoreastronomy.com/cosmos2010.html
5. NEXT SHUTTLE LAUNCH: Space shuttle Discovery is scheduled to begin a 13-day flight to the International Space Station with launch at 11:21 a.m. BST on April 5. The ISS will not become visible again from Irish skies until about April 11, by which time the Shuttle will be docked to it (if all happens on time), but we may see the undocking and start of the return to Earth of the Shuttle at the end of its mission.
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Clear skies,
Terry Moseley
IAA News by Terry Moseley
Friday, 2 April 2010
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
IAA Lecture, ISS, QUB Lecture, Schools Rocket Challenge, ASGI
Hi all,
1. NEXT IAA LECTURE, 10 March: The next of the Irish Astronomical Association's public lectures will be given by Colin Johnston, of Armagh Planetarium. Colin writes the Planetarium's excellent monthly Astronotes
His talk is entitled "Deep Time, and will cover the entire history the Sun, Earth and Solar System, and indeed of the whole universe! And if that's not enough, he will look into the future, explaining how we think it will all end. This is sure to be a fascinating talk. It's on WEDNESDAY 10 March, at 7.30 p.m., in the Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, Queen's University, Belfast. ADMISSION IS FREE, as always, and includes light refreshments. Everyone is welcome! Full details of the rest of the programme are on the website: www.irishastro.org
2. ISS: The ISS is now making another series of evening passes over Ireland. details for your location are one www.heavens-above.com
3. QUB PUBLIC LECTURE: "Is There No Place Like Home? - Our place in the solar system".
Professor Carl D. Murray, Astronomy Unit, School of Mathematical Sciences
Queen Mary College, University of London
Room G07 Peter Froggatt Centre. Main Site, Queen’s University Belfast
7.00pm Monday 15th March 2010.
Please come early, Admission on first come basis.
Carl Murray is a key scientist in the imaging team of the Cassini-Huygens project which is a joint NASA/ESA robotic spacecraft mission currently studying the planet Saturn, its moons and rings. http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm
See “Image mosaics reveal structure of Saturn's outermost ring” in Nature
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v453/n7196/full/7196xa.html
He is interested in all aspects of solar system dynamics, from the motion of cosmic dust particles to the stability of planetary orbits.
“The structures we observe with Cassini are strikingly similar to those seen in many numerical models of the early stages of planetary formation, even though the scales are dramatically different. Cassini is giving us a unique insight into the origin of planets.”
4. UK ROCKET CHALLENGE: The UK Rocket Challenge awareness morning is being hosted by Victoria College, Cranmore Park, Belfast on 24th March, 10.00 - 12.00.
This is an excellent opportunity to learn about this exciting hands-on STEM activity that encourages team work and skills development for secondary school pupils whilst having fun. Super for NI pupils!
Please note that this event is very much on a first come first served basis due to room limitations at Victoria so please reply to Andy Willis (andy@spaceconnections.net) if you are interested as soon as possible. Deadline for reply: Thursday 11 March
Details from: Robert Hill, Northern Ireland Space Office, Armagh Planetarium Tel: +44(0)7929278501. Fax: +44(0)2837526187 www.armaghplanet.com www.spaceconnections.net
5. ASGI SPRING MEETING, BELFAST: The ASGI Spring Meeting will take place in Queens University, Belfast, on Monday 29th March 2010. There still exists an opportunity to present your research with some timeslots still available in the agenda. Again this is an ideal opportunity for graduate students to present their work and remember that if you do not wish to give a talk yourself, the ASGI meetings offer excellent opportunities to meet your colleagues working in the area of astronomy and astrophysics. More details about arranging a talk can be found at http://star.arm.ac.uk/asgi/qub2010/Welcome.html. We hope to finalise the programme soon so contact Chris Watson at QUB c.a.watson@qub.ac.uk as soon as possible to secure a timeslot.
Clear skies,
Terry Moseley
1. NEXT IAA LECTURE, 10 March: The next of the Irish Astronomical Association's public lectures will be given by Colin Johnston, of Armagh Planetarium. Colin writes the Planetarium's excellent monthly Astronotes
His talk is entitled "Deep Time, and will cover the entire history the Sun, Earth and Solar System, and indeed of the whole universe! And if that's not enough, he will look into the future, explaining how we think it will all end. This is sure to be a fascinating talk. It's on WEDNESDAY 10 March, at 7.30 p.m., in the Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, Queen's University, Belfast. ADMISSION IS FREE, as always, and includes light refreshments. Everyone is welcome! Full details of the rest of the programme are on the website: www.irishastro.org
2. ISS: The ISS is now making another series of evening passes over Ireland. details for your location are one www.heavens-above.com
3. QUB PUBLIC LECTURE: "Is There No Place Like Home? - Our place in the solar system".
Professor Carl D. Murray, Astronomy Unit, School of Mathematical Sciences
Queen Mary College, University of London
Room G07 Peter Froggatt Centre. Main Site, Queen’s University Belfast
7.00pm Monday 15th March 2010.
Please come early, Admission on first come basis.
Carl Murray is a key scientist in the imaging team of the Cassini-Huygens project which is a joint NASA/ESA robotic spacecraft mission currently studying the planet Saturn, its moons and rings. http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm
See “Image mosaics reveal structure of Saturn's outermost ring” in Nature
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v453/n7196/full/7196xa.html
He is interested in all aspects of solar system dynamics, from the motion of cosmic dust particles to the stability of planetary orbits.
“The structures we observe with Cassini are strikingly similar to those seen in many numerical models of the early stages of planetary formation, even though the scales are dramatically different. Cassini is giving us a unique insight into the origin of planets.”
4. UK ROCKET CHALLENGE: The UK Rocket Challenge awareness morning is being hosted by Victoria College, Cranmore Park, Belfast on 24th March, 10.00 - 12.00.
This is an excellent opportunity to learn about this exciting hands-on STEM activity that encourages team work and skills development for secondary school pupils whilst having fun. Super for NI pupils!
Please note that this event is very much on a first come first served basis due to room limitations at Victoria so please reply to Andy Willis (andy@spaceconnections.net) if you are interested as soon as possible. Deadline for reply: Thursday 11 March
Details from: Robert Hill, Northern Ireland Space Office, Armagh Planetarium Tel: +44(0)7929278501. Fax: +44(0)2837526187 www.armaghplanet.com www.spaceconnections.net
5. ASGI SPRING MEETING, BELFAST: The ASGI Spring Meeting will take place in Queens University, Belfast, on Monday 29th March 2010. There still exists an opportunity to present your research with some timeslots still available in the agenda. Again this is an ideal opportunity for graduate students to present their work and remember that if you do not wish to give a talk yourself, the ASGI meetings offer excellent opportunities to meet your colleagues working in the area of astronomy and astrophysics. More details about arranging a talk can be found at http://star.arm.ac.uk/asgi/qub2010/Welcome.html. We hope to finalise the programme soon so contact Chris Watson at QUB c.a.watson@qub.ac.uk as soon as possible to secure a timeslot.
Clear skies,
Terry Moseley
Thursday, 18 February 2010
Lecture, Global Astronomy Month, IMO Meteor Conf, IAA at WWT, ISS, Galway SP
Hi all,
1. NEXT IAA LECTURE, 24 February: The next of the Irish Astronomical Association's public lectures will be given by Dr Lucie Green, of the famous Mullard Space Science Laboratory, London. Dr Green is well known as a TV presenter on astronomy.
Her talk is entitled "Living in the Sun's Atmosphere", and will cover all the fascinating and potentially dangerous aspects of living on a planet which is constantly bombarded by the Solar Wind, and is hit every so often by massive Coronal Mass Ejections, producing fantastic aurorae. The Sun is just 'awakening' after one of the longest and deepest solar minima on record, and we are now seeing sunspots more regularly, and there was even an aurora visible from N. Ireland earlier this week. But the best is yet to come, as we build up to Solar Max in a few years time.
Dr Green is a renowned expert on this subject, so we're sure of a fascinating talk. It's on WEDNESDAY 24 February, at 7.30 p.m., in the Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, Queen's University, Belfast. ADMISSION IS FREE, as always, and includes light refreshments. Everyone is welcome! Full details of the rest of the programme are on the website: www.irishastro.org
2. April has been designated as Global Astronomy Month, to follow on from the success of IYA 2009. See the following website for more details. I'll keep you informed of local events.
http://www.astronomerswithoutborders.org/index.php/projects/global-astronomy-month.html
3. IMO Meteor Conference, Armagh, 16-19 September. Advance notice of this major meteor conference: The International Meteor Organisation will be holding its next annual conference in Armagh from the 16th through to the 19th of September. More details to follow shortly from principal organiser Dr David Asher, but mark your diaries in the meantime.
4. ISS + SHUTTLE: The ISS, with Shuttle Endeavour still attached, will be visible in Irish morning skies for another few days. See www.heavens-above.com for details for your own location.
5. IAA: Public Star Party + Planetarium shows at WWT, Castle Espie, 26 March. More details on this in the next bulletin, but mark your diaries now. See www.irishastro.org
6. Excellent Galway Star Party. Congratulations to Ronan Newman and the rest of the Galway Astronomy Club for another excellent star party last W/E. They even managed to provide TWO successive clear nights, with superb observing at their very dark site at St Brigid's Garden out in Connemara.
Clear skies,
Terry Moseley
1. NEXT IAA LECTURE, 24 February: The next of the Irish Astronomical Association's public lectures will be given by Dr Lucie Green, of the famous Mullard Space Science Laboratory, London. Dr Green is well known as a TV presenter on astronomy.
Her talk is entitled "Living in the Sun's Atmosphere", and will cover all the fascinating and potentially dangerous aspects of living on a planet which is constantly bombarded by the Solar Wind, and is hit every so often by massive Coronal Mass Ejections, producing fantastic aurorae. The Sun is just 'awakening' after one of the longest and deepest solar minima on record, and we are now seeing sunspots more regularly, and there was even an aurora visible from N. Ireland earlier this week. But the best is yet to come, as we build up to Solar Max in a few years time.
Dr Green is a renowned expert on this subject, so we're sure of a fascinating talk. It's on WEDNESDAY 24 February, at 7.30 p.m., in the Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, Queen's University, Belfast. ADMISSION IS FREE, as always, and includes light refreshments. Everyone is welcome! Full details of the rest of the programme are on the website: www.irishastro.org
2. April has been designated as Global Astronomy Month, to follow on from the success of IYA 2009. See the following website for more details. I'll keep you informed of local events.
http://www.astronomerswithoutborders.org/index.php/projects/global-astronomy-month.html
3. IMO Meteor Conference, Armagh, 16-19 September. Advance notice of this major meteor conference: The International Meteor Organisation will be holding its next annual conference in Armagh from the 16th through to the 19th of September. More details to follow shortly from principal organiser Dr David Asher, but mark your diaries in the meantime.
4. ISS + SHUTTLE: The ISS, with Shuttle Endeavour still attached, will be visible in Irish morning skies for another few days. See www.heavens-above.com for details for your own location.
5. IAA: Public Star Party + Planetarium shows at WWT, Castle Espie, 26 March. More details on this in the next bulletin, but mark your diaries now. See www.irishastro.org
6. Excellent Galway Star Party. Congratulations to Ronan Newman and the rest of the Galway Astronomy Club for another excellent star party last W/E. They even managed to provide TWO successive clear nights, with superb observing at their very dark site at St Brigid's Garden out in Connemara.
Clear skies,
Terry Moseley
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