Award for DK, TV, BCO, ASGI, Lecture, Ultra Cool stars, Sirius Domes, Dublin Sun

Hi all,
 
1. I'm delighted to announce the following Award received by Deirdre Kelleghan of the IAS and IFAS: 
   "The American Association for the Advancement of Science, publishers of Science Magazine, has honoured Deirdre Kelleghan for her 'Deadly Moons' Drawing Workshop with the Prestigious SPORE Award."
   Deadly Moons, an interactive drawing workshop for children created by Deirdre Kelleghan, has been recognised for its educational value by Science Magazine, the publication of The American Association for the Advancement of Science.         
   Deadly Moons is an interactive drawing workshop. It teaches children aged 6 – 12 about our moon and some of the other exotic moons in our solar system. Deirdre Kelleghan created 'Deadly Moons' in March 2008; she found that children had a very positive reaction to it. The title of the workshop was inspired from the local dialect children use in Ireland, they have said to her 'that's deadly' when they looked at the moon through her telescope.  'To children the word 'Deadly' means 'Totally Amazing', therefore it was an already welcoming positive word and that's the appeal of the title'  - says Deirdre.
   It is Deirdre's belief 'that awareness of our moon and the Universe in general should be fundamental to the education of young children.  When I found that UNAWE were looking for downloadable resources, I was delighted to offer the Deadly Moons workshop to them as they could reach more children than I could ever do'."
   The Science Prize for Online Resources in Education (SPORE) has been established to encourage innovation and excellence in education, as well as to encourage the use of high-quality on-line resources by students, teachers, and the public.
   I'm sure you'll all join me in congratulating Deirdre on this well-deserved award.
    
2. TV: Wednesday 31 August, BBC2, 9.00 Horizon: "The Core."
   What may lie at the Earth's core has been the stuff of science fiction for decades. Now scientists are uncovering a bizarre and alien world situated 4,000 miles beneath our feet. It is a planet buried within the planet we know, where storms rage within a sea of white-hot metal and crystals combine to form giant forests on a metallic core as big as the Moon. Horizon follows the experiments which are re-creating this hidden world in laboratories.
Also on BBC HD.  6290
    We will never be able to dig to the earth's core. We may be able to travel into space, but the pressures and temperatures under the Earth's crust make it a no-go area for humans. But as this Horizon explains, that hasn't stopped resourceful scientists finding other ways to explore the extreme strangeness of the deep, subterranean world.
    Seismologists have used the echoes of earthquakes to work out that not only is there a swirling mass of liquid metal 4000 miles beneath our feet (which, by the way, creates the magnetic field that protects us from the solar wind) but also in the midst of that is a solid metal ball the size of the moon, covered in a forest of vast crystals. How they worked all this out is very clever and helps explain why the earth's magnetic field will probably, in the next few thousand years, reverse. David Butcher
  
3. Blackrock Castle Observatory Events:
    First Fridays at the Castle:  Activities and workshops for kids, families and science fans at our free monthly event. This month's talk is "Death from Space" - a humorous look at the various ways that life on Earth can be wiped out, or made intolerable by cosmic phenomena,

    Celebrating 50 years of human space flight is the theme for World Space Week 2011, which will take place from October 4 - 10.  At BCO we're going to celebrate in style with rocket launches, NASA astronauts and much more!

 

4. The Astronomical Science Group of Ireland (ASGI) autumn meeting will be held in Armagh Observatory on Monday September 5th 2011.  The programme will consist of oral presentations and posters from the astronomical community. This is the first call for contributions. Please submit your name and presentation or poster title (specifying which) to Neil Trappe. Email:

neal.a.trappe@nuim.ie .This is a professional level meeting, but members of organisations affiliated to ASGI, such as the Irish Astronomical Association, are welcome to attend. However, note that most of the presentations require 3rd level maths and physics for full understanding.

 

5. Dublin Astronomy Event: "CHINESE STAR CHARTS" by JEAN-MARC BONNET-BIDAUD.

Discover an astronomy chart done 1300 years ago by a Chinese Astronomer. Dr. Jean-Marc Bonnet-Bidaud will present his work on Chinese Star Charts on the 7th of September 2011 at Dunsink Observatory (DIAS)
   Jean-Marc Bonnet-Bidaud is an astrophysicist at the Astrophysical Department of the French Atomic Energy Commission (C.E.A.), a specialist in high energy astrophysics and in the study of highly condensed stars in the Galaxy (white dwarfs, neutrons stars and black holes). He is involved in several international collaborations to search, locate and study new sources of X-rays and gamma-rays in the Galaxy by means of space astronomy. He is currently taking part in scientific programs, using the European satellites XMM (X-ray Multiple mirror Mission, XMM) and INTEGRAL (International Gamma-ray Astrophysics Laboratory).
   Jean-Marc Bonnet-Bidaud has also a deep interest in the history and popularisation of astronomy. He is at present the scientific adviser of the French astronomy magazine "Ciel et Espace". He has published numerous articles in different magazines and newspapers and was also the author of different television programs.
   He is currently carrying out research works on the roots of astronomy in Africa and China. After publishing results concerning the rate of star explosions in the Galaxy and the colour change of the star Sirius deduced from historical Chinese reports, he is now involved in a systematic study of the oldest Chinese Star Charts to evaluate their scientific content.

 Presentation at DUNSINK OBSERVATORY (DIAS) Castleknock, Dublin 15, Wednesday 7th September at 8 pm (20.00 hrs). A 40/45 min lecture in English with Q&A + a 12-15 min Break, with some refreshments for informal discussion. +  A visit to the South Dome and the Grubb Telescope. +  With possible observations of the night sky through the Grubb Telescope and others if the weather is kind on that evening

Contact Details for the Event to be held in Dunsink Observatory: For your e-ticket request please e-mail hod@cp.dias.ie on or before Monday 22nd August 2011 (17.00 hrs)

Please head the request for your e-ticket/s "Chinese Star Charts" by Jean-Marc Bonnet-Bidaud Dunsink Obs 7th Sept 2011, and state the number of tickets that you require. DIAS has a minimum age limit of 12 years of age for an evening event such as this.
   More details if required from: Hilary O'Donnell/Sullivan, Astrophysics and Astronomy Section, School of Cosmic Physics, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 31 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2, Ireland.  Telephone + 353-1-662 13 33, Fax + 353-1-524 23 02, E-mail hod@cp.dias.ie Mobile number 00 353 (0) 87 629 49 66.

 

6. Discovered: Stars as Cool as the Human Body. Scientists using data from NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) have discovered six "Y dwarfs" -- starlike bodies with temperatures as cool as the human body.

Astronomers hunted these dark orbs for more than a decade without success. When viewed with a visible-light telescope, they are nearly impossible to see. WISE's infrared vision allowed the telescope to finally spot the faint glow of a half dozen Y dwarfs relatively close to our sun, within a distance of about 40 light-years. The Y's are the coldest members of the brown dwarf family. Brown dwarfs are sometimes referred to as "failed" stars. They are too low in mass to fuse atoms at their cores and thus don't burn with the fires that keep stars like our sun shining steadily for billions of years. Instead, these objects cool and fade with time, until what little light they do emit is at infrared wavelengths. The atmospheres of brown dwarfs are similar to those of gas giant planets like Jupiter, but they are easier to observe because they are alone in space, away from the blinding light of a parent star.

So far, WISE data have revealed 100 new brown dwarfs.  Of these, six are classified as cool Y's. One of the Y dwarfs, called WISE 1828+2650, is the record holder for the coldest brown dwarf with an estimated atmospheric temperature cooler than room temperature, or less than 80 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius).

7. Sirius Observatories and Domes: Dr Andy McCrea of North Down Telescopes is now the exclusive Ireland dealer for the well known Sirius Observatories and domes. The observatories come in a range of sizes from 2.3m, 6.7m and 5m. They are weather-resistant and easy to install and the modular design is easy to maintain with a gelcoat finish. They also manufacture a range of domes to suit buildings. Email Andy at s.mccrea980@btinternet.com for prices/delivery.

8. IAA Solar Event in Merrion Square, Dublin. The IAA was invited by Dublin Civic Trust to run a 'Solar Afternoon Event' as part of Dublin Garden Squares Day on Saturday 27 August. As the event was in the open air, we had no back-up option of our usual Planetarium shows, so it was totally weather-dependent. Not surprisingly, we had the usual Irish mixture of sunshine and showers, the latter causing some fun as we hastily tried to put telescopes and the display material under cover! Our invitation came too late for the event to be covered in their publicity, but even so we had a steady flow of interested members of the public. They were treated to some excellent views of two lovely prominences in the H-Alpha Solarscopes, and a total of 6 sunspots in white light, two of which were bigger than the Earth.
   Thanks to Barry Pickup, Deirdre Kelleghan and Michael Murphy for coming along to help me. T.M.
 
9. JOINING the IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION is now even easier: This link downloads a Word document to join the IAA. http://irishastro.org.uk/iaamembership.doc.  See also www.irishastro.org. 
 
Clear skies,
 
Terry Moseley
 

IAA Perseid party, Solar day, TV Programmes, ASGI, Dublin lecture, ISS

Hi all,

 

(Not long back from a week in SW Kerry - fabulous dark skies in St Finian's Bay! We also went to Skellig Michael - it would be the darkest sky of anywhere in Ireland, but you're not allowed to stay overnight. Also, you wouldn't want to trip over your telescope tripod on top of the rock! We saw a few nice early Perseids without really trying. I had hoped to try to spot Vesta with the unaided eye again, but forgot to bring the star charts with me!)

 

1. IAA PERSEIDS PARTY. The annual Perseid meteor shower will reach maximum on the night of 12-13 August, with the peak predicted for 04h on the 13th. The IAA will be holding a 'Perseid Party' on the evening of the 12th, at Delamont Country Park, south of Killinchy on the A22 to Downpatrick, commencing about 8 p.m. with a Fry-up / BBQ. Obviously such an event is weather dependent, so check the IAA website www.irishastro.org beforehand to see if it will be going ahead. 

Unfortunately the Moon will be full on the 13th, so only the brighter meteors are likely to be seen that night. The best technique is to find an observing spot where the Moon is hidden behind a building or tree etc, so that it isn't in your field of view at all.

However, the Perseid shower is active from now to about the 20th of August, with rates building up gradually to the peak on the 13th, then gradually dropping away again. So look out for Perseids any time from now to about Aug 19-20. A few days after the maximum there will be a short period of darkness before moonrise. The radiant is near the famous 'Double Cluster', which lies roughly midway between Perseus and Cassiopeia.

2. IAA SOLAR DAY at WWT, CASTLE ESPIE, 14 August, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. The Irish Astronomical Association will be running another of its ever-popular 'Solar Days' at the WWT at Castle Espie, near Comber, Co Down. Now that Solar activity is steadily increasing, we can expect to see lots of detail on the Sun's disk if there's any clear sky. We will have a selection of solar telescopes, each fitted with specialised safe astronomical filters, to see it in visible light, and in the wavelengths of Calcium and H-Alpha. There should be sunspots and huge prominences, each many times bigger than planet Earth. We will also have the usual display of astronomical and space items, posters, etc, and a mobile planetarium, so come along even if it's cloudy. More details on www.irishastro.org 

3. TV PROGRAMMES:

A. The Sky at Night: Sir Patrick Moore will discuss the asteroid 4 Vesta, recently visited for the first time by the Dawn spacecraft. This episode will be broadcast on: August 11th, 7:30 pm - BBC Four; August 12th, 2:00 am - BBC Four; August 13th, 12:00 pm - BBC Two (except Northern Ireland); August 14th, 12:35 am - BBC Four

B. Horizon: On the new generation of telescopes on Monday 15 Aug, BBC2 at 9:00,

4. The Astronomical Science Group of Ireland (ASGI) autumn meeting will be held in Armagh Observatory on Monday September 5^th 2011.  The programme will consist of oral presentations and posters from the astronomical community. This is the first call for contributions. Please submit your name and presentation or poster title (specifying which) to Neil Trappe. Email:

neal.a.trappe@nuim.ie .This is a professional level meeting, but members of organisations affiliated to ASGI, such as the Irish Astronomical Association, are welcome to attend. However, note that most of the presentations require 3rd level maths and physics for full understanding.

 

5. Dublin Astronomy Event: "CHINESE STAR CHARTS" by JEAN-MARC BONNET-BIDAUD.

Discover an astronomy chart done 1300 years ago by a Chinese Astronomer. Dr. Jean-Marc Bonnet-Bidaud will present his work on Chinese Star Charts on the 6th and 7th of September 2011 at the Alliance Francaise and at Dunsink Observatory (DIAS)
   Jean-Marc Bonnet-Bidaud is an astrophysicist at the Astrophysical Department of the French Atomic Energy Commission (C.E.A.), a specialist in high energy astrophysics and in the study of highly condensed stars in the Galaxy (white dwarfs, neutrons stars and black holes). He is involved in several international collaborations to search, locate and study new sources of X-rays and gamma-rays in the Galaxy by means of space astronomy. He is currently taking part in scientific programs, using the European satellites XMM (X-ray Multiple mirror Mission, XMM) and INTEGRAL (International Gamma-ray Astrophysics Laboratory).
   Jean-Marc Bonnet-Bidaud has also a deep interest in the history and popularisation of astronomy. He is at present the scientific adviser of the French astronomy magazine "Ciel et Espace". He has published numerous articles in different magazines and newspapers and was also the author of different television programs.
   He is currently carrying out research works on the roots of astronomy in Africa and China. After publishing results concerning the rate of star explosions in the Galaxy and the colour change of the star Sirius deduced from historical Chinese reports, he is now involved in a systematic study of the oldest Chinese Star Charts to evaluate their scientific content.

1. Presentation at the Alliance Francaise of Kildare Street  Dublin 2, Tuesday 6th September at 6.30 pm (18.30 hrs). NB! Presentation will be in French. Film "Dunhuang star charts" in English. Q&A in French and English

2. Presentation at DUNSINK OBSERVATORY (DIAS) Castleknock, Dublin 15, Wednesday 7th September at 8 pm (20.00 hrs). A 40/45 min lecture in English with Q&A + a 12-15 min Break, with some refreshments for informal discussion. +  A visit to the South Dome and the Grubb Telescope. +  With possible observations of the night sky through the Grubb Telescope and others if the weather is kind on that evening

Contact Details for the Event to be held in Dunsink Observatory: For your e-ticket request please e-mail hod@cp.dias.ie on or before Monday 22nd August 2011 (17.00 hrs)

Please head the request for your e-ticket/s "Chinese Star Charts" by Jean-Marc Bonnet-Bidaud Dunsink Obs 7th Sept 2011, and state the number of tickets that you require. DIAS has a minimum age limit of 12 years of age for an evening event such as this.
   More details if required from: Hilary O'Donnell/Sullivan, Astrophysics and Astronomy Section, School of Cosmic Physics, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 31 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin 2, Ireland.  Telephone + 353-1-662 13 33, Fax + 353-1-524 23 02, E-mail hod@cp.dias.ie Mobile number 00 353 (0) 87 629 49 66

6. ISS: The International Space Station is just ending a series of morning passes over Ireland, and will almost immediately start a series of evening passes, on August 13/14. Full free details for any location anywhere in the world fom www.heavens-above.com.

 

7. JOINING the IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION is now even easier: This link downloads a Word document to join the IAA. http://irishastro.org.uk/iaamembership.doc.  See also www.irishastro.org. 

 

Clear skies,
 
Terry Moseley
 

Earth's sister, Rockets, Lecture, ISS, TV, Perseids, IAA Solar Day, BCO, ASGI

Hi all,

 

1. Planet Earth has a 'Little Sister'.

A tiny asteroid has been discovered which runs ahead of Earth in our yearly orbit around the Sun. This makes Earth the fourth planet in the solar system that is known to share its orbit with an asteroid. The details are reported in the latest issue of Nature. The object, called 2010 TK7, was discovered last year by Nasa's Wise satellite. It was then observed with a telescope in Hawaii in April, determining its orbit with enough precision to show it was a Trojan.

If Earth and the asteroid, which measures only about 300 metres across, were travelling around a clock face, with the Sun in the middle, the asteroid runs about two numbers ahead. However, the asteroid sometimes goes so far ahead that it is on the opposite side of the Sun from Earth. Spotting a small asteroid in Earth's orbit is difficult from the ground because the potential locations are generally in the daytime sky. Wise, which operates in the infrared, was not so badly hampered by this effect.

The discovery was made by Martin Connors, of Athabasca University in Alberta, and colleagues. Asteroids that share an orbit with a planet are called Trojans. We have already found a few for Mars and Neptune and nearly 5,000 for Jupiter.

Donald K Yeomans, manager of Nasa's Near-Earth Object Programme Office, said that most astronomers suspected Earth had Trojans, adding: "I would guess there are others."

 

2. So you want to be a ROCKET SCIENTIST?

Have you ever wondered how to build a solid fuel space rocket?  Have you ever wanted to witness a rocket launch?  If the answer is yes, then Armagh Planetarium is the place to be on the 30^th and 31^st of July 2011 as we blastoff into a fun-filled weekend of rockets.

Rocket Man Andy Willis is looking to recruit some space engineers in his Rocket Workshop to construct some real rockets ready to be delivered to the launch pad.  Are you ready to be his apprentice?

Take part in the countdown and watch as the rocket is launched up into the air, carrying its very own satellite.  Perhaps even try and guess the height that the rocket travelled!

You will also discover the latest design in Japanese space planes, participate in some water rocket launching and even be trained up on how to make paper planes.

If you are up for the challenge, step up to the launch pad and give us a call on 028 37 523689 to book your place.  The rocket workshop is FREE, but places are limited and filling up fast.  Workshops will blastoff at 11am and 2pm sharp each day.

On this weekend the Planetarium will have their summer programme of Digital Theatre shows on offer.  Here you can relax and experience our planet and beyond and view the cosmos as never seen before.  Check out our website www.armaghplanet.com for show trailers and times.  Pre-booking for a theatre show is essential and normal admission fees apply.

www.armaghplanet.com

02837523689

3. KILLER ASTEROIDS - PUBLIC LECTURE, 3 August, 7 p.m.

The Michael West Public Lectures in astronomy will be held each year to explain some of the latest and most exciting discoveries in the world of Astronomy. They are named after Dr. Michael West, who is supporting scientific research and public outreach in the Astrophysics Research Centre at Queens.
    Dr. Pedro Lacerda, the Michael West research Fellow in Astronomy, said
"A lot of people are interested in astronomy, which happens to be a major research topic at Queen's University Belfast. We want to give everyone the chance to learn about it from some of the best astronomers in the world."
   The second lecture in the series, entitled "Killer Asteroids" will be given by Dr. Robert Jedicke from the University of Hawaii. Dr. Jedicke is a renowned asteroid hunter, and is leading the search for dangerous asteroids with the new PanSTARRS1 telescope in Hawaii. This lecture will be held on Wednesday 3rd August.

The talk will take place in the Larmor Lecture Theatre in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Queen's. Attendance is free of charge, but seats must be booked either by phone at 028 9097 3202, or by visiting the website http://tinyurl.com/MichaelWestLectures and registering there.

These talks have been organised by the Astrophysics Research Centre at QUB, in association with the Irish Astronomical Association.

 

4. The ISS will begin another series of morning passes over Ireland at the end of July: details as always are on www.heavens-above.com

5. EXCELLENT TV PROGRAMME: "Journey to the Edge of the Universe" on More4, Saturday 31 July, 10pm - 00.05. (per Derek Heatly - thanks)

6. PERSEIDS. The annual Perseid meteor shower will reach maximum on the night of 12-13 August, with the peak predicted for 04h on the 13th. The IAA will be holding a 'Perseid Party' on the evening of the 12th, at Delamont Country Park, south of Killinchy on the A22 to Downpatrick, commencing about 8 p.m. with a Fry-up / BBQ. Obviously such an event is weather dependent, so check the IAA website www.irishastro.org beforehand to see if it will be going ahead. Unfortunately the Moon will be full on the 13th, so only the brighter meteors are likely to be seen that night. However, the Perseid shower is active from the end of July to about the 20th of August, with low rates to start with, building up gradually to the peak on the 13th, then gradually dropping away again. So look out for Perseids any time from the end of this month, especially before the Moon gets too bright. The radiant is near the famous 'Double Cluster', which lies roughly midway between Perseus and Cassiopeia.

7. IAA SOLAR DAY at WWT, CASTLE ESPIE, 14 August, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. The Irish Astronomical Association will be running another of its ever-popular 'Solar Days' at the WWT at Castle Espie, near Comber, Co Down. Now that Solar activity is steadily increasing, we can expect to see lots of detail on the Sun's disk if there's any clear sky. We will have a selection of solar telescopes, each fitted with specialised safe astronomical filters, to see it in visible light, and in the wavelengths of Calcium and H-Alpha. There should be sunspots and huge prominences, each many times bigger than planet Earth. We will also have the usual display of astronomical and space items, posters, etc, and a mobile planetarium, so come along even if it's cloudy. More details on www.irishastro.org 

8. BCO EVENTS in AUGUST: Limited availability left for Space Camp 2011. Plus a chance to WIN a coveted place for one lucky space cadet.

Students from 8 to 12 years are invited to join us for our 4th annual Space Camp to use science and engineering to explore the universe. There are very limited places available in the August camp, especially for the morning options, so get in there quick if your kids are looking to learn about the universe, alien life and how to build and launch their own rockets.

 

We're Eco Warriors at BCO and use as much recycled products in our workshops as possible - and we need a lot for Space Camp. We're offering one lucky kid the chance to win their place at this year's Space Camp just by bringing us in things that you will already have at home for recycling. Cost €95 per child. Members & second child discount.

See: www.bco.ie for more details of this and other events.

9. The Astronomical Science Group of Ireland (ASGI) autumn meeting will be held in Armagh Observatory on Monday September 5^th 2011.  The programme will consist of oral presentations and posters from the astronomical community. This is the first call for contributions. Please submit your name and presentation or poster title (specifying which) to Neil Trappe. Email: neal.a.trappe@nuim.ie

10. JOINING the IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION is now even easier: This link downloads a Word document to join the IAA. http://irishastro.org.uk/iaamembership.doc.  See also www.irishastro.org. 

 

Clear skies,
 
Terry Moseley