Tuesday, 18 November 2014

Date correction, Scope4sale, Dinner, Philae latest, IAA events, Xmas at AP, more

Hi all,
  
(Apologies for error in last bulletin re the date of the first item - the perils of cut & paste!)
 
1. IAA LECTURE: The next IAA public lecture will be on Wednesday 19 November, at 7.30 p.m. It will be given by Dr Mike Simms, of the Ulster Museum. Title:  "What Meteorites Tell Us About The Early Solar System".
   NB: We are aware that there have been problems hearing the speaker from the back of the lecture theatre, partly due to the noise from the twin data projector cooling fans. We will ensure that all future speakers use a microphone to prevent this problem recurring.
   Our knowledge of the formation of the Earth and what conditions were like in the protoplanetary nebula surrounding the Sun, from which Earth and the other planets formed, is largely derived from the study of the various types of meteorites.
   Mike is an expert on meteorites, and always gives an entertaining and well-presented and informative talk.
 This lecture will as usual be in the Bell Lecture theatre, Physics building, main QUB Campus.
   The lecture is free and open to all, including free refreshments. Venue: the Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, Queen's University, Belfast, at 7.30 p.m. 
   Thanks to the Astrophysics Research Centre, QUB, for help in hosting these lectures.
 
2. Ultimate amateur telescope available: From Dave McDonald
I signed up for an AstroPhysics Riccardi-Honders astrograph (305mm) over 5 years ago.  I just got called up for one of these 'scopes.  Unfortunately, I'm not in the position to buy it myself – but someone else might.  The price is just over $20,000 and shipping/insurance is extra but is probably only a few hundred dollars.
   This is not a case of me 'flipping' the scope by the way – there are no add-ons, margins, markups etc.  If anyone were interested, they would only pay whatever I would pay if were able to afford it.
   This is a pretty special scope and they are probably as rare as hens' teeth. And will almost certainly remain so.  Yes, it's pricey, but I bet its worth every cent. And someone could have it without having to wait 5+ years.
   If you know of anyone or would like to post it to any boards etc. feel free. There is only one slight catch.  A 50% deposit has to be paid to AP by 20th November.
Contact Dave on dmcdona@eircom.net

3. IAA SUBSCRIPTIONS: Subscriptions for the current year (2014 - 2015) are now overdue. If you do not renew your subscription, your membership will cease, and you won't get the next copy of our excellent magazine, STARDUST. See last item below for details of how to pay.
 
4.  IAA 40th Anniversary Dinner: 28 Nov. REPLY DATE EXTENDED Bookings are still open for this event, with some places still available. It's excellent value, and there will be free entertainment included:
(1) An amusing and light-hearted after dinner speech by the ever-popular Prof Alan Fitzsimmons of QUB (you may have heard him on radio being interviewed about Rosetta and Philae)
2. Memorabilia and photo-gallery (aka Rogues gallery!)
3. A free fun quiz, with spot prizes.
Booking form attached.
 
5. SUNSPOT RETURNS: Back for a second trip across the face of the Sun, old sunspot AR2192 is growing again and crackling with M-class solar flares.  The active region has an unstable magnetic field that harbours energy for even stronger X-flares. Future eruptions could affect Earth as the sunspot turns toward our planet in the days ahead.  Check http://spaceweather.com for updates.

 
6: ISS: The International Space Station has started another series of morning passes over Ireland. See www.heavens-above.com for details for your own location.

 
7.  IAA Observing Nights at Delamont Country Park
These very popular weekend observing sessions have started again with some very successful viewing. Delamont is well signposted off the A22 just South of Killyleagh, (North of Downpatrick) Co Down. They are suitable for anyone, but are aimed especially at beginners.
We bring our own large telescopes; bring your own if you have a portable one.
  The events work like this: If it's clear on the Friday night, the event goes ahead. If not, we try again on the Saturday night. If both are cloudy, we try again on the following weekend, same procedure. To check if it's going ahead, check the IAA website: www.irishastro.org up to 6.0 p.m. on each day, and for dates for next session: If cloudy, we'll try again on the next date on the list.…
 
8. ROSETTA Mission to Comet 67-P See:
 
9. Public Astronomy Night at Slieve Gullion, 30 November 
The IAA will be holding another public astronomy outreach event, this time at a new dark sky venue, the visitor's centre at Slieve Gullion Forest Park, near the village of Meigh, SW of Newry. More details in next bulletin, but mark your diaries now.
 

10. Xmas shows at Armagh Planetarium. Join Armagh Planetarium this Christmas as we journey back more than 2000 years to Bethlehem, and seek to discover an explanation for the star the Wise Men followed to find the baby Jesus in "Mystery of the Christmas Star".  
  The Star of Bethlehem is an iconic astronomical event whose true origin remains unknown even today, in spite of years of speculation and research.  The show will guide the viewer through some of these investigations and the most likely causes of this interesting cosmological object which was remarkable enough to make the wise men travel across the desert from Babylon to Bethlehem to see the new born baby.  
   You will also explore possible dates for the birth of Christ and look at the historical records of significant astronomical events which occurred at this time.
 The show opens on Monday 1 until Tuesday 23 December 2014.
 Show Times:
Monday – Friday (1-19 Dec) at 2pm
Saturday/School Holidays at 1pm and 4pm
Evening shows every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2-18 December at 7:30pm

Booking is essential

 

11. FAEROES ECLIPSE TRIP: The next Total Solar Eclipse visible on Earth will be on 20 March, 2015. This total eclipse track will only cross land on Earth in two places: the Faeroes, and Svalbard in the far North Atlantic. IAA member and eclipse author Dr Kate Russo will be leading a tour to observe this eclipse in the Faeroes. I have the honour to be the 'eclipse/astronomy/aurora expert' on the trip, on which we hope to be able to get good views of the aurora as well as the eclipse itself. See  http://www.independenttraveller.com/experiences/photography/astronomy/total-solar-eclipse-2015-faroe-islands. You can also find out more details on the eclipse blog site: http://independenttraveller.com/blog/

 

12. UKSEDS National Conference: The 27th Annual UKSEDS National Student Space Conference will be held on the weekend of 28 February - 1 March 2015, and hosted by Surrey EARS at the University of Surrey. Early bird tickets are now available. 

  The UKSEDS National Student Space Conference is the premier event for space students, bringing together students, academics, and professionals from across the country to share knowledge of space, discuss the challenges facing the sector, and to create new links between groups. It features talks by leading space science and industry figures, a careers fair, and opportunities to take part in discussions and networking events.

  The Conference is run and organised by UKSEDS, the UK's student space society, which unites space-enthusiasts at universities across the country. A different UKSEDS branch hosts the conference each year, and next year it will be hosted by Surrey Electronic and Amateur Radio Society (EARS), at the University of Surrey. UKSEDS' founding conference was held in 1988 at the Science Museum, London, making this year's event our 27th.

  There are expected to be upwards of 200 attendees, primarily undergraduate and graduate engineers and scientists with a strong interest in the space industry who are looking to learn more about space projects and potential employers. 

  Special early bird rate tickets are now open on our conference minisite at ukseds.org/nssc2015 and will be available until 31 December. One-day tickets, and tickets for the evening social will become available after that point. Your ticket grants you access to the conference and includes lunch. Saturday tickets include the evening networking reception.

   We also offer a number of different sponsorship packages which can be tailored to your requirements. These include having a stand in our exhibition hall, presenting a talk as part of the conference, sponsoring coffee, lunch, a networking reception, or an evening social event. If you are interested in exhibiting or sponsoring contact conference@ukseds.org. Due to the nature of some of these opportunities we are only able to offer a limited number, so please get in touch soon to avoid disappointment.   Meanwhile follow the hashtag #NSSC15 on social media and join our Facebook event here.

CONTACTS: Ryan Laird, Vice-Chair of UKSEDS conference@ukseds.org

13. ARCHAEOASTRONOMY TRIP TO NEWGRANGE and KNOWTH, 2015, These trips have proved so popular that as soon as I got back from the last one, Stranmillis University College Institute of LifeLong Learning asked me to lead another one next spring!  Like the last one, the next trip will include a visit to the Knowth Tomb as well. It has the largest collection of Megalithic art anywhere in Europe in one single site, some of which is reckoned to be astronomical. Booking for thus very popular, non-technical trip will open later, but if you want to go, note the date in your diary: Sat 9 May. More details when the new brochure comes out.

 
14. NEXT YEAR'S STAR PARTIES:  
Galway Astrofest: Feb 21, 2015, Theme: "New Worlds - New Horizons" Excellent speaker line-up already!  Latest news on speakers: To provide detailed insight into space missions one of the agency's senior scientific advisors;  Professor Michael Perryman will talk about the GAIA mission, while Professor Susan McKenna Lawlor will look at the Rosetta Comet mission for which her team built an instrument for the Philae lander.  See http://galwayastronomyclub.ie/ Check for latest updates.
 COSMOS: April 17th to 19th 2015, Shamrock LodgeHotel, Athlone.
Skelligs Star Party: 14-16 August, Ballinskelligs, Co Kerry.  This is a Gold Medal winning Dark Sky site.  see www.skelligstarparty.com
AI 'Star-B-Q': 15 August, An Tochar GAA Grounds, Roundwood, Co.Wicklow.

 

15: Interesting Weblinks:
 
 
16. TWITTER: Follow the IAA on Twitter: The account is now operational again as before: @IaaAstro.
 
17. JOINING the IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION is easy: 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. 
  
 
Clear skies,
Terry Moseley
Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, 5 November 2014

Fwd: Lectures, Spaceship 2 latest, Science week, Rosetta, Dr Who at A/P, IAA Dinner


Hi all,
   
1. IAA LECTURE: The next IAA public lecture will be on Wednesday 5 November, at 7.30 p.m. It will be given by Prof Andy Shearer, of NUI Galway. Title: "Feeding the Giants - Astronomy with Extremely Large Telescopes".
Synopsis: "Over the next ten years a number of new giant telescopes will come on line - these include the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and in X-rays, Athena. Each one of these will dramatically change our view of the universe. At a recent workshop in Galway, "Speed and Sensitivity: Expanding Astronomical Horizons with ELTs" the possibilities from the current generation of instruments as well as the next generation of instruments for ELTs were discussed. This talk will look at what science is possible with ELTs and what questions will be addressed and hopefully answered by ELTs."
  Some of the new horizons being opened up by these developments are mind-blowing, so this will be a fascinating talk. This lecture will as usual be in the Bell Lecture theatre, Physics building, main QUB Campus.
   The lecture is free and open to all, including free refreshments. Venue: the Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, Queen's University, Belfast, at 7.30 p.m. 
   Thanks to the Astrophysics Research Centre, QUB, for help in hosting these lectures.
 
2. Dublin lecture on Ireland's Space Endeavours, Thurs 6 Nov.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) will host a public lecture in the Alexander Hotel, Fenian Street, Dublin 2 as follows: Thursday, November 6th from 6pm (reception first and then the talk at 6:30pm).
Speaker/Topic:    Rory Fitzpatrick (CEO, National Space Centre). Title: "Ireland's Space Endeavours: An
introduction to our contributions in space exploration and communication"
Admission: Free and open to all. Register via e-mail to iet-eireann@gmail.com
 
3. Virgin Galactic's Spaceship 2 crash - latest.
BUT http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2818446/Virgin-Galactic-spaceship-NOT-destroyed-exploding-fuel-tank-split-apart-spaceship-s-descend-device-deployed-prematurely-investigators-reveal.html  That explains the odd position of the feathered booms and aerofoils in relation to the rocket! I could not make sense of the photo showing the break up, as those parts seemed to be well behind the rocket motor which still seemed to be working ok. So maybe there's nothing wrong with the design after all - except maybe to put in a failsafe device to stop that happening again!

3. Nov 8-9 Science Week events in Dublin:
The makers of The Festival of Curiosity are celebrating Science Week 2014 in Dublin by transforming Smock Alley Theatre into a curiosity filled hub with some very curious family events and shows, including Dr. Niamh Shaw with MY PLACE IN SPACE, a lively talk and show which is perfect for young curious minds to find their place in space! Also, on Thursday Nov 13th at 7.30pm: join us as we delve into the future of space travel with special guests including former NASA Astronaut Greg Johnson and Prof. Ian Robertson. More details later, when available. Smock Alley Theatre is on the edge of Temple Bar, just S of the Liffey.
 
4. DIAS PUBLIC LECTURE, 13 Nov.
You are cordially invited to attend the 2014 Statutory Public Lecture of the School of Cosmic Physics, DIAS which will take place in Trinity College on Thursday 13th November at 7:00pm.
   Registration is essential so if you are interested in attending this year's lecture, we would be grateful if you could please register in advance here.
  The lecture entitled "Cosmic Rays: One Century of Adventure and Mysteries!" will be given by Professor Etienne Parizot, Professor of High Energy Astrophysics, Université Paris VII, France.
 Location: Schrodinger Theatre, Physics Department (Fitzgerald Building), Trinity College Dublin. (Access can be gained via the Westland Row or Lincoln Place entrances
 
 
5. IAA Observing Nights at Delamont Country Park
These very popular weekend observing sessions have started again with some very successful viewing. Delamont is well signposted off the A22 just South of Killyleagh, (North of Downpatrick) Co Down. They are suitable for anyone, but are aimed especially at beginners.
We bring our own large telescopes; bring your own if you have a portable one.
  The events work like this: If it's clear on the Friday night, the event goes ahead. If not, we try again on the Saturday night. If both are cloudy, we try again on the following weekend, same procedure. To check if it's going ahead, check the IAA website: www.irishastro.org up to 6.0 p.m. on each day, and for dates for next session: If cloudy, we'll try again on the next date on the list.…
 
 
6. ROSETTA's probe to land on Comet on 12 November. On 12 November, the European Space Agency's Rosetta spacecraft will begin the most ambitious part of its mission, releasing the Philae lander to attempt the first soft landing on the surface of a comet.
   Philae, roughly the size of a washing machine, will separate from Rosetta at 0835 GMT, at a distance of about 22.5 km from the centre of the comet and it should land about seven hours later on the 'Agilkia' landing site announced in September. With a 28-minute delay for the signal to travel to Earth, mission control should receive confirmation of the landing at about 1600 GMT. Philae will communicate with the main Rosetta spacecraft during the descent and after the landing, sending back images to Earth over the next few hours.
   UK research groups and companies have extensive involvement in the construction of Philae and its instruments and the scientific analysis of their data. The Open University and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory built the PTOLEMY instrument for measuring the composition of gas on the comet's surface and Surrey Satellite Technologies Limited supplied the momentum wheel for the lander itself. (From the RAS)
 
7. Armagh Planetarium Doctor Who Event:

Dimensions in Time: Doctor Who Weekend
Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 November 2014
10am - 5pm

 
 
 
 
 
 
 Armagh Planetarium is hosting the Emerald Garrison's brand new exhibition, "Dimensions in Time".  This fan-run event celebrates all things Doctor Who with costumed characters portraying everyone from Cybermen to Daleks and even the Doctor himself.  If you have your own costume, why not join in!
  There will be a chance to get your picture taken with the famous TARDIS and time travel to a scene from the Tom Baker era! Lots of photo opportunities and fun for all the family!
Entrance to the exhibit is FREE
Normal admission charges to Planetarium Digital Theatre Shows apply.  To view a list of our shows visit www.armaghplanet.com.  Pre-booking for a show is essential on 028 37523689.
 
   We also hope to have some nostalgic memorabilia, and an after-dinner speech by a VIP astronomer, so it promises to be a great evening!
   More details in next bulletin, but mark your diaries now. Provisional start time about 7.30 p.m.
 
8. IAA 40th Anniversary Dinner: 28 Nov. ADVANCE NOTICE: As this year marks the 40th anniversary of the IAA in its present form (it was originally the Belfast Centre of the Irish Astronomical Society), we're having a special celebratory dinner. This will be on Friday 28 November, at the Stormont Pavilion. We have secured a VERY good value deal, for a 4-course dinner, plus wine if wanted, at an unbelievable price. We're still finalising the menu options, and then we'll know the final price.
9. Public Astronomy Night at Slieve Gullion, 30 November 
The IAA will be holding another public astronomy outreach event, this time at a new dark sky venue, the visitor's centre at Slieve Gullion Forest Park, near the village of Meigh, SW of Newry. More details in next bulletin, but mark your diaries now.
 

10. FAEROES ECLIPSE TRIP:

The next Total Solar Eclipse visible on Earth will be on 20 March, 2015.

This total eclipse track will only cross land on Earth in two places: the Faeroes, and Svalbard in the far North Atlantic. IAA member and eclipse author Dr Kate Russo will be leading a tour to observe this eclipse in the Faeroes. I have the honour to be the 'eclipse/astronomy/aurora expert' on the trip, on which we hope to be able to get good views of the aurora as well as the eclipse itself. See  http://www.independenttraveller.com/experiences/photography/astronomy/total-solar-eclipse-2015-faroe-islands. You can also find out more details on the eclipse blog site: http://independenttraveller.com/blog/

11. ARCHAEOASTRONOMY TRIP TO NEWGRANGE and KNOWTH, 2015, These trips have proved so popular that as soon as I got back from the last one, Stranmillis University College Institute of LifeLong Learning asked me to lead another one next spring!  Like the last one, the next trip will include a visit to the Knowth Tomb as well. It has the largest collection of Megalithic art anywhere in Europe in one single site, some of which is reckoned to be astronomical. Booking for thus very popular, non-technical trip will open later, but if you want to go, note the date in your diary: Sat 9 May. More details when the new brochure comes out.
 
12. BBC Spotlight Invitation to IAA:
We are currently making enquiries to gauge interest from possible participants for our next Spotlight Special on Tuesday, 2nd December where people from grass roots communities will have the chance to engage with a panel of politicians and public figures about issues that are important to them. If any of your members would be interested in participating, please tell them to come back to me by the end of next week and I'll give them a call for further discussion.
   BBC Northern Ireland's flagship current affairs programme, "Spotlight" will be recording an audience special, presented by Noel Thompson, in Blackstaff Studios, Great Victoria Street, Belfast on Tuesday December 2nd 2014.
   The style of the programme is a Question & Answer format to a panel of politicians and we are looking for people of all ages who want to take part in the programme. We aim to feature a fair number of audience contributions - in the form of questions and comments - during the hour long programme.
    It's a busy night for the audience: people should arrive promptly between 6:30 and 6:45pm - this gives people time to submit questions, catch up on days events and have a cup of tea, before going into the studio and recording the programme between 8.15 & 9.30pm.  'Spotlight Special' broadcasts the same night at 10.35 on BBC1.
   While we realise that some people may want to come along to simply to watch the programme being made, audience participation is at the heart of a successful programme, so please do your best to encourage those types of who e.g. have something to say, are opinionated, are interested in the news and local affairs. If you would like more details about the programme, please e-mail spotlightspecial@bbc.co.uk or ring 0845 300 30 80. Angela Davison, BBC
 
13. NEXT YEAR'S STAR PARTIES:  
Galway Astrofest: Feb 21, 2015, Theme: "New Worlds - New Horizons" Excellent speaker line-up already!  See http://galwayastronomyclub.ie/ Check for latest updates.
 COSMOS: April 17th to 19th 2015, Shamrock LodgeHotel, Athlone.
Skelligs Star Party: 14-16 August, Ballinskelligs, Co Kerry.  This is a Gold Medal winning Dark Sky site.  see www.skelligstarparty.com
AI Starbecue: 15 August, Wicklow Mountains.

 

14: Interesting Weblinks:
Exoplanets Zodiacal Light:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141103082508.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fspace_time+%28Space+%26+Time+News+--+ScienceDaily%29 . Nothing seems to be impossible now! How long before they can read a newspaper on an exoplanet????
Parallel Universe: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141030101654.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29 But of course in some of these parallel universes there are other scientists proving that there's no such thing as parallel universes.....
 
 
15. TWITTER: Follow the IAA on Twitter: The account is now operational again as before: @IaaAstro.
 
16. JOINING the IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION is easy: 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. 
  
 
Clear skies,
Terry Moseley


Posted by at 6 comments:

Saturday, 1 November 2014

Spaceship 2 crash, Lecture, Science week, Dias talk, IAA Dinner, Sl Gullion sky

Hi all,
   
2.  IAA LECTURE: The next IAA public lecture will be on Wednesday 5 November, at 7.30 p.m. It will be given by Prof Andy Shearer, of NUI Galway. Title: "Feeding the Giants - Astronomy with Extremely Large Telescopes".
Synopsis: "Over the next ten years a number of new giant telescopes will come on line - these include the European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT), the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and in X-rays, Athena. Each one of these will dramatically change our view of the universe. At a recent workshop in Galway, "Speed and Sensitivity: Expanding Astronomical Horizons with ELTs" the possibilities from the current generation of instruments as well as the next generation of instruments for ELTs were discussed. This talk will look at what science is possible with ELTs and what questions will be addressed and hopefully answered by ELTs."
  Some of the new horizons being opened up by these developments are mind-blowing, so this will be a fascinating talk. This lecture will as usual be in the Bell Lecture theatre, Physics building, main QUB Campus.
   The lecture is free and open to all, including free refreshments. Venue: the Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, Queen's University, Belfast, at 7.30 p.m. 
   Thanks to the Astrophysics Research Centre, QUB, for help in hosting these lectures.

3. Nov 8-9 Science Week events in Dublin:
The makers of The Festival of Curiosity are celebrating Science Week 2014 in Dublin by transforming Smock Alley Theatre into a curiosity filled hub with some very curious family events and shows, including Dr. Niamh Shaw with MY PLACE IN SPACE, a lively talk and show which is perfect for young curious minds to find their place in space! Also, on Thursday Nov 13th at 7.30pm: join us as we delve into the future of space travel with special guests including former NASA Astronaut Greg Johnson and Prof. Ian Robertson. More details later, when available. Smock Alley Theatre is on the edge of Temple Bar, just S of the Liffey.
 
4. DIAS PUBLIC LECTURE, 13 Nov.
You are cordially invited to attend the 2014 Statutory Public Lecture of the School of Cosmic Physics, DIAS which will take place in Trinity College on Thursday 13th November at 7:00pm.
   Registration is essential so if you are interested in attending this year's lecture, we would be grateful if you could please register in advance here.
  The lecture entitled "Cosmic Rays: One Century of Adventure and Mysteries!" will be given by Professor Etienne Parizot, Professor of High Energy Astrophysics, Université Paris VII, France.
 Location: Schrodinger Theatre, Physics Department (Fitzgerald Building), Trinity College Dublin. (Access can be gained via the Westland Row or Lincoln Place entrances
 
5. IAA 40th Anniversary Dinner: 28 Nov. ADVANCE NOTICE: As this year marks the 40th anniversary of the IAA in its present form (it was originally the Belfast Centre of the Irish Astronomical Society), we're having a special celebratory dinner. This will be on Friday 28 November, at the Stormont Pavilion. We have secured a VERY good value deal, for a 4-course dinner, plus wine if wanted, at an unbelievable price. We're still finalising the menu options, and then we'll know the final price.
   We also hope to have some nostalgic memorabilia, and an after-dinner speech by a VIP astronomer, so it promises to be a great evening!
   More details in next bulletin, but mark your diaries now. Provisional start time about 7.30 p.m.
 
6. Public Astronomy Night at Slieve Gullion, 30 November 
The IAA will be holding another public astronomy outreach event, this time at a new dark sky venue, the visitor's centre at Slieve Gullion Forest Park, near the village of Meigh, SW of Newry. More details in next bulletin, but mark your diaries now.
 
7. ARCHAEOASTRONOMY TRIP TO NEWGRANGE and KNOWTH, 2015, These trips have proved so popular that as soon as I got back from the last one, Stranmillis University College Institute of LifeLong Learning asked me to lead another one next spring!  Like the last one, the next trip will include a visit to the Knowth Tomb as well. It has the largest collection of Megalithic art anywhere in Europe in one single site, some of which is reckoned to be astronomical. Booking for thus very popular, non-technical trip will open later, but if you want to go, note the date in your diary: Sat 9 May. More details when the new brochure comes out.
 
 
8. IAA Observing Nights at Delamont Country Park
These very popular weekend observing sessions have started again with some very successful viewing. Delamont is well signposted off the A22 just South of Killyleagh, (North of Downpatrick) Co Down. They are suitable for anyone, but are aimed especially at beginners.
We bring our own large telescopes; bring your own if you have a portable one.
  The events work like this: If it's clear on the Friday night, the event goes ahead. If not, we try again on the Saturday night. If both are cloudy, we try again on the following weekend, same procedure. To check if it's going ahead, check the IAA website: www.irishastro.org up to 6.0 p.m. on each day. Dates for next session: If cloudy, we'll try again on the next date on the list.…
 
 

9. FAEROES ECLIPSE TRIP: The next Total Solar Eclipse visible on Earth will be on 20 March, 2015.

This total eclipse track will only cross land on Earth in two places: the Faeroes, and Svalbard in the far North Atlantic. IAA member and eclipse author Dr Kate Russo will be leading a tour to observe this eclipse in the Faeroes. I have the honour to be the 'eclipse/astronomy/aurora expert' on the trip, on which we hope to be able to get good views of the aurora as well as the eclipse itself. See  http://www.independenttraveller.com/experiences/photography/astronomy/total-solar-eclipse-2015-faroe-islands. You can also find out more details on the eclipse blog site: http://independenttraveller.com/blog/

 

10. TAMING THE ELEMENTS LECTURE SERIES, Ulster Museum  This lectures series continues on consecutive Tuesday evenings, from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in the Lecture Theatre on the ground floor. The next one will be on 4 November. Some of these talks will be of interest to astronomers.  This is a free event – but to secure your place please use the Buy Tickets button on the web page. For further information please ring 028 9044 0000. Opening hours are Tue-Sun 10am-5pm.

 
 
11. ROSETTA's probe to land on Comet on 12 November. The Rosetta spacecraft continues to 'orbit' round Comet Churyumov-Gerasimenko, sending back more jawdropping photos. After studying the 'binary' surface in great detail, the site to land a probe on the surface has now been chosen.
See 
 
12. BBC Spotlight Invitation to IAA:
We are currently making enquiries to gauge interest from possible participants for our next Spotlight Special on Tuesday, 2nd December where people from grass roots communities will have the chance to engage with a panel of politicians and public figures about issues that are important to them. If any of your members would be interested in participating, please tell them to come back to me by the end of next week and I'll give them a call for further discussion.
   BBC Northern Ireland's flagship current affairs programme, "Spotlight" will be recording an audience special, presented by Noel Thompson, in Blackstaff Studios, Great Victoria Street, Belfast on Tuesday December 2nd 2014.
   The style of the programme is a Question & Answer format to a panel of politicians and we are looking for people of all ages who want to take part in the programme. We aim to feature a fair number of audience contributions - in the form of questions and comments - during the hour long programme.
    It's a busy night for the audience: people should arrive promptly between 6:30 and 6:45pm - this gives people time to submit questions, catch up on days events and have a cup of tea, before going into the studio and recording the programme between 8.15 & 9.30pm.  'Spotlight Special' broadcasts the same night at 10.35 on BBC1.
   While we realise that some people may want to come along to simply to watch the programme being made, audience participation is at the heart of a successful programme, so please do your best to encourage those types of who e.g. have something to say, are opinionated, are interested in the news and local affairs. If you would like more details about the programme, please e-mail spotlightspecial@bbc.co.uk or ring 0845 300 30 80. Angela Davison, BBC
 
13. NEXT YEAR'S STAR PARTIES:  
Galway Astrofest: Feb 21, 2015, Theme: "New Worlds - New Horizons" Excellent speaker line-up already!  See http://galwayastronomyclub.ie/ Check for latest updates.
 COSMOS: April 17th to 19th 2015, Shamrock LodgeHotel, Athlone.
Skelligs Star Party: 14-16 August, Ballinskelligs, Co Kerry.  This is a Gold Medal winning Dark Sky site.  see www.skelligstarparty.com
AI Starbecue: 15 August, Wicklow Mountains.

 

14: Interesting Weblinks:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2811412/Here-s-looking-Spooky-shadow-gives-Jupiter-giant-staring-eyegoes-here.html Does nobody check these stories before they go out? Two/Three times they refer to it being on Saturn (the last reference is ambiguous). Grrrrr!
Universe 1 bn years older? http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/10/28/age-of-the-universe_n_6059690.html and http://phys.org/news/2014-10-universe-older.html  If Planck's Constant is not constant then the same could apply to all the other fundamental constants, e.g. speed of light, which would throw EVERYTHING back into the melting pot!
Wallops Island launch site aftermath http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/10/141029230956.htm and
 
 
15. TWITTER: Follow the IAA on Twitter: The account is now operational again as before: @IaaAstro.
 
16. JOINING the IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION is easy: 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. 
  
 
Clear skies,
Terry Moseley
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