Lecture, ISS, NearMiss, IAA @ Bangor, S-L @ Armagh, Fire @ SSO, Ast Course, more

Hi all,

 

1.  IAA LECTURE: The next IAA public lecture will be on Wednesday 23 January, at 7.30 p.m. It will be given by Dr Tolis Christou, of Armagh Observatory. It has the intriguing title "Horseshoes, Tadpoles, and other weirdnesses: Asteroids and Planets Learning to Live Together". That should pique your curiosity! The only clue I'll give is that Tolis is an expert on the orbits and interactions of all the objects in the Solar System. Admission is free, including light refreshments, and all are welcome.

This lecture will as usual be in the Bell Lecture theatre, Physics building, main QUB Campus.

 

2. ISS. The International Space Station is doing another series of morning passes over Ireland. Details as usual on the excellent and free site: www.heavens-above.com

 

3. Asteroid Very Near Miss: On Feb 15 we will have a very near miss from a 'Near Earth Asteroid', which will come so close to Earth that it will pass inside the orbits of the geostationary satellites! Asteroid 2012 DA14, which is about 50m (165 feet) in diameter will pass about 21,000 miles from the centre of the Earth, or about 17,000 miles above the surface. There is no risk of a collision, but if an object of this size did hit the Earth, the damage would be very significant. 17,000 miles seems like a significant distance, but think of it this way: It's just over twice the diameter of the Earth. If a bullet was to miss your head by just twice your head's diameter, you would think that you had been very very lucky! It will be travelling at 7.8km/sec.
   Closest approach will be at about 18.00, and the object should be visible in binoculars as it speeds past the Earth, with a maximum magnitude of between 7 and 7.5. Since it will be so close, and moving so fast, predictions need to be based on your own location, not geocentric. I'm very grateful to Dr Tolis Christou of Armagh Observatory who has generated an ephemeris for Belfast, giving the RA, Dec, Azimuth, Elevation and magnitude of 2012 DA14 from Belfast ( 54.6000° N, 5.9167° W) for the night of the 15th to the 16th of February 2013 every 5 min. The asteroid rises at 20:00 UT in Virgo, and will move rapidly Northwards through Coma, Canes Venatici, Ursa Major and Draco during its period of best visibility from here. It will remain brighter than mag 10 until 22:20 UT. At that time its altitude is 53 deg.

   This ephemeris is too long and detailed to include here, but I will forward the details to anyone on request. It should be possible to record its motion with a time exposure on a digital camera with a reasonable zoom lens, and set to a high ISO setting.

   This will be the brightest-ever NEO to be observed approaching the vicinity of our planet (<0.1 AU). It is predicted to be 30 times brighter and more than 150 times more massive than the next largest known object to approach as close or closer to our planet in recent years: that one was 2012 MD. 

    If you want to see what 'Armageddon' might look like before impact if one of this size was going to hit us, then have a look!

 

4. IAA Event at Bangor, 16 February - UPDATE. The IAA will be running another of its very popular astronomy evenings, this time at a new venue: the North Down Heritage Centre near Bangor Castle, Co Down. This is not a dark sky location, but we have chosen an evening when both Jupiter and a nice 6-day old Moon will be visible, so there will be spectacular sights for public viewing. There will also be a good pass of the ISS, which should please anyone who hasn't seen it before.

    We will of course have the Stardome shows, which will run whether it's cloudy or clear, and the usual exhibition of telescopes, binoculars, meteorites and other items. Our own local Ulsternaut, Derek Heatly, will be giving an update on the latest details for his flight into space with Virgin Galactic.

   NB: To guarantee a place for one of the Starshows you must book in advance with the ND Heritage Centre.

   Location: Bangor Castle, Castle Park. The Heritage Centre is just behind (South of) the Castle. Access is via Castlepark Avenue and Castlepark Road, or on foot via the Castle grounds by continuing along Castlepark Avenue. GPS: 54deg 39' 21" N; 5 deg 40' 09" W. Tel. 028 9127 1200.

   Start time is now confirmed as 6.30 p.m. 

 

5. Stargazing Live at Armagh: Armagh Planetarium will be presenting a Stargazing Live event on Tuesday 29 January. They will be screening free digital theatre shows which must be pre-booked in advance.  Also attending will be experts from NIAAS who will be bringing along a range of telescopes for public night sky viewing.  They will also help with any telescope queries you may have.  So if you have a telescope and are not sure how to use it, this is your chance to get some expert advice.
   Planetarium Director Dr Tom Mason and Dr Mike Simms from the Ulster Museum will show you how to identify meteorites and also provide examples of the most commonly misidentified objects which are not meteorites.  Feel free to bring along any rock samples that you would like identified.
6:00pm - Stargazing Begins
6:30pm - Theatre Show
7:00pm - Meteorite Presentation
7:30pm - Theatre Show (Fully Booked)
Guaranteed to be a fun filled evening of stargazing, weather permitting! To book your seat call us on 02837 523689.
 

6. Bushfires at Siding Springs Observatory:

On January 13 a fierce bushfire ravaged the area around Siding Spring Observatory in Australia, destroying the Visitors' Centre, accommodation blocks, and, more importantly, residences of several of the staff. The telescopes survived essentially intact and no-one has lost their life or been badly injured. See for example: http://amandabauer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/siding-spring-obs-fires-day-after.html
   One of the people badly affected is the well-known Scottish-Australian astronomer, Robert McNaught, who started his career as a BAA member, was awarded the Merlin Medal by the Association in 1987, and who has since gone on to achieve great things, discovering many more comets than any other person (his Daylight Comet of 2007 was especially spectacular), and finding several hundred near-Earth objects, mainly through his survey work at Siding Spring (part of the Catalina Sky Survey). Rob and his partner Tanya Smith
suffered the loss of their home and all of their possessions last weekend as a result of the fire that swept through the area. Rob's tale is featured on the Sky and Telescope website at: http://is.gd/f9A69D
    Some funds have been set up to help the astronomers and their families. In particular there is the ANU Siding Spring Observatory Fire Staff Emergency Relief fund at:
http://philanthropy.anu.edu.au/philanthropy/donate-online/search/?cause=anu-siding-spring-observatory-fire-staff-emergency-relief-fund
   And the "Robert McNaught and Tanya Smith Bushfire Recovery Fund" at: http://tinyurl.com/awcujrh.
    (I feel a particular affinity with Rob, as I have an A1 size signed copy of his amazing photo of his own 'daylight comet' of 2007, showing that fantastic sweeping feathery tail.)
 

7. ASTRONOMY COURSE at STRANMILLIS COLLEGE, BELFAST. I will be delivering a two part course, introduction to astronomy, as follows:

Astronomy:  Our place in the Universe

Looking to the sky for the first time you may feel overwhelmed and confused by the spectacle of thousands of stars above your head.  Astronomy is a great gateway science that can inspire you to do great things!  Participants will gain enjoyment from exploring the wonders of the night sky.  The topics covered include Greek mythology, Egyptian and Babylonian cosmology, Astrobiology, Quantum Physics, Terrestrial and Jovian planets and Solar System to help us understand our place in the cosmos.  This is a great way for the community to come together and take a fresh look at our night sky.....it belongs to us all.  No experience necessary and questions encouraged! 

Tutor:             Terry Moseley, Time:              7.00pm - 9.00pm

Session 1:         Tuesdays, 5 weeks; dates:      19^th February 2013 – 19^th March 2013 

Location:        Central Building.

Session 2:         Tuesdays, 5 weeks. Time: 7.00pm - 9.00pm. Dates:      9^th April 2013 – 7^th May 2013.   Location:        Central Building

There will also be a daytime visit to Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, provisionally on 17 May.

Full details and booking at:  http://www.stran.ac.uk/informationabout/courses/professionaldevelopmentlifelonglearning/

8. Galway Star Party: UPDATE: NB if you are going to this event, you are advised to book accommodation soon, as the Galway Rally will be on the same weekend.

The 10th Galway Starparty: "Ireland, the Final Frontier" takes place on Saturday, 2nd February, 2013 at the Westwood House Hotel, Galway City.

The speakers include:

Dr. Andy Shearer (Centre for Astronomy, NUIG): "Kepler: The Search for Habitable Planets"

Dave Gradwell: "OSCAR: A unique Irish Solar Observatory"

Ronan Newman (workshop): "Celestial Light: Chasing the Elusive Irish Aurora"

John Flannery (South Dublin AS): "What makes a Great Comet?"

Prof. Tom Ray (DIAS): "Making Stars and Planets: The First Three Billion Years"

Dave Grennan: "Hunting Extra-Galactic Supernovae from Ireland"

Terry Moseley (IAA): "Untold Stories of Sir Patrick Moore, FRS" 

Professor Lorraine O'Hanlon (UCD) "The GLORIA project"

Details & bookings at: http://galwayastronomyclub.ie/

 

9. GALILEO AT ARMAGH OBSERVATORY:THE LIFE OF GALILEO", by Bertolt Brecht, Performed in the Armagh Observatory.
   The Greenwood Players and the Armagh Observatory are presenting in the Armagh Observatory from 22nd to 24th February 2013 the first performance on the island of Ireland of the play "The Life of Galileo" by Bertolt Brecht in a new version by David Hare.
   The story of the Life of Galileo and its central drama of the conflict between science, religion and authority is one that resonates today. As remarked by Ian McDonald, author and Executive Producer with the Greenwood Players, "The Life of Galileo" is a story that needs retelling every generation, especially in a 21st century when we seem to be moving away from science to an authority and belief-based worldview.
   There will be five performances of the play: two matinees at 2.00pm on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th February, and three evening performances at 7.00pm on each of 22nd, 23rd and 24th February.  Tickets, which are strictly limited, cost 12 pounds and are available from 14th January 2013 at http://galileoattheobservatory.eventbrite.co.uk/.
For more information, see: http://star.arm.ac.uk/press/2013/galileo/
 

10. INTERESTING WEBLINKS: 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2265984/Robot-hedgehogs-Mars-The-bizarre-mission-send-spiked-beach-ball-sized-probes-red-planets-moon.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2266325/Mining-metals-asteroid-Spacecraft-begin-drilling-passing-rocks-just-TWO-YEARS.html (I'll bet a bottle of bubbly that they don't start it within even THREE years! T.M.)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2266573/First-picture-astronomers-think-black-hole-looks-like-youll-wait-build-telescope-theyre-right.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2265729/Giant-black-holes-colliding-space-blasted-Earth-potentially-deadly-radiation.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2166501/Does-single-report-red-cross-skies-Britain-AD774-prove-supernova-exploded-heavens.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2265635/Its-life-know-Martians-occupied-Red-Planet--recognisable-form.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2265868/The-giant-sea-cow-sky-Astronomers-reveal-nebula-look-like-sea-creature.html

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2013/18jan_cometison/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_1HdOCOJ_Q

The item in the link below is a bit odd. Prof Wickramasinghe gave us an interesting but controversial lecture in Belfast on this topic about 10 years ago: But that doesn't even look like a meteorite to me! And I would trust Prof Monica Grady (who has also given lectures to us in Belfast) on anything to do with meteorites. (And not just because she let me hold the famous Allan Hills Martian meteorite (see: http://www.astronomy-education.com/index.php?page=130, and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allan_Hills_84001) in my bare hands when I visited her at the NH Museum about a year after her lecture to us!): http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2266435/Does-rock-prove-life-outer-space-Controversial-scientist-claims-fossils-meteor-fragment.html

(BTW, I'm not a Daily Mail fan, nor have I shares in it, but it has a greater range of topical space and astronomy stories online than any other UK paper)

 

11. TWITTER: Follow the IAA on Twitter:  @IaaAstro

12. BBC THINGS TO DO WEBSITE: See the forthcoming IAA events on  

http://www.bbc.co.uk/thingstodo. Look under 'Countryfile'.

 

13. JOINING the IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION is easy: This link downloads a Word document to join the IAA. http://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.  See also www.irishastro.org. 

  

Clear skies,

Terry Moseley

Lecture, ISS, Near miss! IAA @ Bangor, Schoolgirls' TNO, Oldest star, Stran, GSP

Hi all,

 

1.  IAA LECTURE: The next IAA public lecture will be on Wednesday 23 January, at 7.30 p.m. It will be given by Dr Tolis Christou, of Armagh Observatory. It has the intriguing title "Horseshoes, Tadpoles, and other weirdnesses: Asteroids and Planets Learning to Live Together". That should pique your curiosity! The only clue I'll give is that Tolis is an expert on the orbits and interactions of all the objects in the Solar System. and   Admission is free, including light refreshments, and all are welcome.

This lecture will as usual be in the Bell Lecture theatre, Physics building, main QUB Campus.

 

2. ISS. The International Space Station is doing another series of morning passes over Ireland. Details as usual on the excellent and free site: www.heavens-above.com

 

3. Asteroid Very Near Miss: On Feb 15 we will have a very near miss from a 'Near Earth Asteroid', which will come so close to Earth that it will pass inside the orbits of the geostationary satellites! Asteroid 2012 DA14, which is about 50m (165 feet) in diameter will pass about 21,000 miles from the centre of the Earth, or about 17,000 miles above the surface. There is no risk of a collision, but if an object of this size did hit the Earth, the damage would be very significant. 17,000 miles seems like a significant distance, but think of it this way: It's just over twice the diameter of the Earth. If a bullet was to miss your head by just twice your head's diameter, you would think that you had been very very lucky! It will be travelling at 7.8km/sec.
   Closest approach will be at about 18.00, and the object should be visible in binoculars as it speeds past the Earth, with a maximum magnitude of between 7 and 7.5. Since it will be so close, and moving so fast, predictions need to be based on your own location, not geocentric. I'm very grateful to Dr Tolis Christou of Armagh Observatory who has generated an ephemeris for Belfast, giving the RA, Dec, Azimuth, Elevation and magnitude of 2012 DA14 from Belfast ( 54.6000° N, 5.9167° W) for the night of the 15th to the 16th of February 2013 every 5 min. The asteroid rises at 20:00 UT in Virgo, and will move rapidly Northwards through Coma, Canes Venatici, Ursa Major and Draco during its period of best visibility from here. It will remain brighter than mag 10 until 22:20 UT. At that time its altitude is 53 deg.

   This ephemeris is too long and detailed to include here, but I will forward the details to anyone on request. It should be possible to record its motion with a time exposure on a digital camera with a reasonable zoom lens, and set to a high ISO setting.

   This will be the brightest-ever NEO to be observed approaching the vicinity of our planet (<0.1 AU). It is predicted to be 30 times brighter and more than 150 times more massive than the next largest object to approach as close or closer to our planet in recent years and to be discovered: that one was 2012 MD. 

    If you want to see what 'Armageddon' might look like before impact if one of this size was going to hit us, then have a look!

 

4. IAA Event at Bangor, 16 February. The IAA will be running another of its very popular astronomy evenings, this time at a new venue: the North Down Heritage Centre near Bangor Castle, Co Down. This is not a dark sky location, but we have chosen an evening when both Jupiter and a nice 6-day old Moon will be visible, so there will be spectacular sights for public viewing. There will also be a good pass of the ISS, which should please anyone who hasn't seen it before.

    We will of course have the Stardome shows, which will run whether it's cloudy or clear, and the usual exhibition of telescopes, binoculars, meteorites and other items. Our own local Ulsternaut, Derek Heatly, will be giving an update on the latest details for his flight into space with Virgin Galactic.

   Location: Bangor Castle, Castle Park. The Heritage Centre is just behind (South of) the Castle. Access is via Castlepark Avenue and Castlepark Road, or on foot via the Castle grounds by continuing along Castlepark Avenue. GPS: 54deg 39' 21" N; 5 deg 40' 09" W. Tel. 028 9127 1200.

   Provisional start time is 7.30 p.m. - tbc. 

 

5. Bangor schoolgirls discover TNO! A class of schoolgirls, led by teacher and former IAA Secretary Mrs Jacquie Milligan, has discovered a Trans Neptunian Object using the Faulkes Telescope South at Siding Springs (before the bushfires caused some damage at the site). The object was magnitude 19.5 in the R Band, and lies in SE Cetus. Congratulations to Jacquie and the girls!

 

6.  Astronomers have discovered the oldest known star.

It's thought to be 13.2 billion years old, and lies in Libra, mag 7.2. It is variously known as HD 140283, SAO 159459, TYC 5601-694-1, HIP 76976. Spectrum is sdF3, and distance approx 187 LY. The luminosity is estimated at 3.51 that of the Sun. The coordinates of today's date are: RA 15h 43m 45.35s; Dec -10 deg 58' 30.2". In 2000.0 co-ordinates it's at RA 15h 43m 03.1s; Dec -10deg 56' 00.6". It lies about 6.5 degrees ESE of Beta Librae. It's visible in binoculars, so have a look. Can you comprehend that you are looking at something 13.2 billion years old? See:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2262091/A-glimpse-universe-soon-Big-Bang-astronomers-identify-star-dated-13-2-billion-years-old.html

 

7. ASTRONOMY COURSE at STRANMILLIS COLLEGE, BELFAST. I will be delivering a two part course, introduction to astronomy, as follows:

Astronomy:  Our place in the Universe

Looking to the sky for the first time you may feel overwhelmed and confused by the spectacle of thousands of stars above your head.  Astronomy is a great gateway science that can inspire you to do great things!  Participants will gain enjoyment from exploring the wonders of the night sky.  The topics covered include Greek mythology, Egyptian and Babylonian cosmology, Astrobiology, Quantum Physics, Terrestrial and Jovian planets and Solar System to help us understand our place in the cosmos.  This is a great way for the community to come together and take a fresh look at our night sky.....it belongs to us all.  No experience necessary and questions encouraged! 

Tutor:             Terry Moseley, Time:              7.00pm - 9.00pm

Session 1:         Tuesdays, 5 weeks; dates:      19^th February 2013 – 19^th March 2013 

Location:        Central Building.

Session 2:         Tuesdays, 5 weeks. Time: 7.00pm - 9.00pm. Dates:      9^th April 2013 – 7^th May 2013.   Location:        Central Building

There will also be a daytime visit to Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, provisionally on 17 May.

Full details and booking at:  http://www.stran.ac.uk/informationabout/courses/professionaldevelopmentlifelonglearning/

8. Galway Star Party: UPDATE: NB if you are going to this event, you are advised to book accommodation soon, as the Galway Rally will be on the same weekend.

The 10th Galway Starparty: "Ireland, the Final Frontier" takes place on Saturday, 2nd February, 2013 at the Westwood House Hotel, Galway City.

The speakers include:

Dr. Andy Shearer (Centre for Astronomy, NUIG): "Kepler: The Search for Habitable Planets"

Dave Gradwell: "OSCAR: A unique Irish Solar Observatory"

Ronan Newman (workshop): "Celestial Light: Chasing the Elusive Irish Aurora"

John Flannery (South Dublin AS): "What makes a Great Comet?"

Prof. Tom Ray (DIAS): "Making Stars and Planets: The First Three Billion Years"

Dave Grennan: "Hunting Extra-Galactic Supernovae from Ireland"

Terry Moseley (IAA): "Untold Stories of Sir Patrick Moore, FRS" (Celebrating his 90th Birthday)

Professor Lorraine O'Hanlon (UCD) "The GLORIA project"

Details & bookings at: http://galwayastronomyclub.ie/

 

9. GALILEO AT ARMAGH OBSERVATORY:THE LIFE OF GALILEO", by Bertolt Brecht, Performed in the Armagh Observatory.
   The Greenwood Players and the Armagh Observatory are presenting in the Armagh Observatory from 22nd to 24th February 2013 the first performance on the island of Ireland of the play "The Life of Galileo" by Bertolt Brecht in a new version by David Hare.
   The story of the Life of Galileo and its central drama of the conflict between science, religion and authority is one that resonates today. As remarked by Ian McDonald, author and Executive Producer with the Greenwood Players, "The Life of Galileo" is a story that needs retelling every generation, especially in a 21st century when we seem to be moving away from science to an authority and belief-based worldview.
   There will be five performances of the play: two matinees at 2.00pm on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th February, and three evening performances at 7.00pm on each of 22nd, 23rd and 24th February.  Tickets, which are strictly limited, cost 12 pounds and are available from 14th January 2013 at http://galileoattheobservatory.eventbrite.co.uk/.
For more information, see: http://star.arm.ac.uk/press/2013/galileo/
 

10. INTERESTING WEBLINKS: 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2263983/Rivers-red-planet-Astonishing-new-pictures-reveal-1500km-river-ran-Mars.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2264095/The-secret-Titans-youthful-looks-revealed-Astronomers-moving-sand-dunes-filling-pockmarked-surface.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2260664/Breathtaking-footage-Moons-surface-revealed-Nasa-releases-final-video-crash-landing-lunar-probes.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2262712/NASA-announces-11-1-million-deal-send-inflatable-space-craft-orbit.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2262224/What-hyperspace-travel-REALLY-looks-like-sadly-Star-Wars-got-wrong.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/01/14/quasar-cluster-largest-object-einstein_n_2470562.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2262094/Amateur-astronomers-42-new-planets--including-Jupiter-sized-world-hold-life.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2260608/Colliding-galaxies-lead-biggest-spiral-seen-cosmos--astronomers-say-giving-birth-new-one.html

  

11. TWITTER: Follow the IAA on Twitter:  @IaaAstro

12. BBC THINGS TO DO WEBSITE: See the forthcoming IAA events on  

http://www.bbc.co.uk/thingstodo. Look under 'Countryfile'.

 

13. JOINING the IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION is easy: This link downloads a Word document to join the IAA. http://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.  See also www.irishastro.org. 

  

Clear skies,

Terry Moseley

Fabulous Stargazing Live, IAA Lecture, ISS, Astro Course, Galileo, GSP, Sun, PM

Hi all,

 

1. STARGAZING LIVE RESOUNDING SUCCESS: I'm running out of superlatives, but the Stargazing Live events, in which the IAA was the major partner with the BBC, really exceeded all expectations - and after last year's great success, expectations were high!

   First was a public 'Jupiter Watch' in front of the main Lanyon Building at QUB, on Tuesday evening, from 6.0 - 10.0pm, in association with the astrophysics department of QUB. Last year we had a perfectly clear sky, and about 400-500 people attended. This year? - another lovely clear night, and about 800 people got amazing views of Jupiter and its four bright moons through the 19 telescopes and 1 large pair of binoculars we provided. That was 2013 S-L off to a brilliant start.

   Next was our usual fortnightly public lecture on Wednesday evening: this one was by Prof Phil Dufton of QUB, entitled "45 years in Astronomy". This was a fascinating journey through the changes in the last 45 years of research astronomy, and was very well received.

  Thursday 10th was the 'Big Night'. This again was at the superb venue of Lough Neagh Discovery Centre at Oxford Island, near Moira. Last year we had about 1200 people, and everyone agreed it had been an amazing success, even though it was a cloudy night. This time it was a much bigger event, with daytime activities for schools, and a wider range of activities for the main evening event. There's no room to list everything here, but check the IAA website www.irishastro.org for details. Among the highlights were stargazing cruises for 60 people at a time on Lough Neagh, with a theme of celestial navigation, ably led by our Past President Pat O'Neill. These were all fully booked, very successful, and he even got the boat back to the jetty each time!

   There was a simultaneous live 2-hour broadcast on Radio Ulster, hosted by the one and only Anne-Marie McAleese, which included frequent interviews with myself, President Paul Evans, Andy McCrea and many many more.

   IAA members Andy McCrea and Barry Loane helped girls from a local school make an 8" Dobsonian: after a good deal of earlier preparatory work, they put it together on the day.

  It started off cloudy, but the sky gradually cleared, and we again showed lovely views of Jupiter through telescopes ranging in size up to our 16" Lightbridge.

   And the attendance? An amazing 2,500, plus another 500 during the day. That was a total of 3,800 on the Monday and Wednesday events. Wow!

   Thanks to all the very many IAA members who contributed, and to others who took part such as Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, QUB, and Mike Simms wearing both his IAA and Ulster Museum hats. And thanks also to all the staff at LNDC who hosted the event superbly well, and to the BBC for their usual professionalism and hospitality.

 

2. IAA LECTURE: The next IAA public lecture will be on Wednesday 23 January, at 7.30 p.m. It will be given by Dr Tolis Christou, of Armagh Observatory. It has the intriguing title "Horseshoes, Tadpoles, and other weirdnesses: Asteroids and Planets Learning to Live Together". That should pique your curiosity! The only clue I'll give is that Tolis is an expert on the orbits and interactions of all the objects in the Solar System. and   Admission is free, including light refreshments, and all are welcome.

This lecture will as usual be in the Bell Lecture theatre, Physics building, main QUB Campus.

 

3. ISS. The International Space Station has just commenced another series of morning passes over Ireland. Details as usual on the excellent and free site: www.heavens-above.com

 

4. ASTRONOMY COURSE at STRANMILLIS COLLEGE, BELFAST. I will be delivering a two part course, introduction to astronomy, as follows:

Astronomy:  Our place in the Universe

Looking to the sky for the first time you may feel overwhelmed and confused by the spectacle of thousands of stars above your head.  Astronomy is a great gateway science that can inspire you to do great things!  Participants will gain enjoyment from exploring the wonders of the night sky.  The topics covered include Greek mythology, Egyptian and Babylonian cosmology, Astrobiology, Quantum Physics, Terrestrial and Jovian planets and Solar System to help us understand our place in the cosmos.  This is a great way for the community to come together and take a fresh look at our night sky.....it belongs to us all.  No experience necessary and questions encouraged! 

Tutor:             Terry Moseley, Time:              7.00pm - 9.00pm

Session 1:         Tuesdays, 5 weeks; dates:      19^th February 2013 – 19^th March 2013 

Location:        Central Building.

Session 2:         Tuesdays, 5 weeks. Time: 7.00pm - 9.00pm. Dates:      9^th April 2013 – 7^th May 2013.   Location:        Central Building

There will also be a daytime visit to Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, provisionally on 17 May.

Full details and booking at:  http://www.stran.ac.uk/informationabout/courses/professionaldevelopmentlifelonglearning/

5. Galway Star Party: UPDATE: NB if you are going to this event, you are advised to book accommodation soon, as the Galway Rally will be on the same weekend.

The 10th Galway Starparty: "Ireland, the Final Frontier" takes place on Saturday, 2nd February, 2013 at the Westwood House Hotel, Galway City.

The speakers include:

Dr. Andy Shearer (Centre for Astronomy, NUIG): "Kepler: The Search for Habitable Planets"

Dave Gradwell: "OSCAR: A unique Irish Solar Observatory"

Ronan Newman (workshop): "Celestial Light: Chasing the Elusive Irish Aurora"

John Flannery (South Dublin AS): "What makes a Great Comet?"

Prof. Tom Ray (DIAS): "Making Stars and Planets: The First Three Billion Years"

Dave Grennan: "Hunting Extra-Galactic Supernovae from Ireland"

Terry Moseley (IAA): "Untold Stories of Sir Patrick Moore, FRS" (Celebrating his 90th Birthday)

Professor Lorraine O'Hanlon (UCD) "The GLORIA project"

Details & bookings at: http://galwayastronomyclub.ie/

 

6. BIG SUNSPOT:

ACTIVE SUNSPOT: One of the biggest sunspots of the current solar cycle is now turning toward Earth. Named AR1654, the active region is crackling with medium-sized (M-class) flares and could be poised to break the recent spell of calm space weather around our planet.  Check http://spaceweather.com for images and updates.

7. GALILEO AT ARMAGH OBSERVATORY:THE LIFE OF GALILEO", by Bertolt Brecht, Performed in the Armagh Observatory.
   The Greenwood Players and the Armagh Observatory are presenting in the Armagh Observatory from 22nd to 24th February 2013 the first performance on the island of Ireland of the play "The Life of Galileo" by Bertolt Brecht in a new version by David Hare.
   The story of the Life of Galileo and its central drama of the conflict between science, religion and authority is one that resonates today. As remarked by Ian McDonald, author and Executive Producer with the Greenwood Players, "The Life of Galileo" is a story that needs retelling every generation, especially in a 21st century when we seem to be moving away from science to an authority and belief-based worldview.
   There will be five performances of the play: two matinees at 2.00pm on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th February, and three evening performances at 7.00pm on each of 22nd, 23rd and 24th February.  Tickets, which are strictly limited, cost 12 pounds and are available from 14th January 2013 at http://galileoattheobservatory.eventbrite.co.uk/.
For more information, see: http://star.arm.ac.uk/press/2013/galileo/

8. PATRICK MOORE PROGRAMME:There is almost a complete evening on the late Sir Patrick on BBC4 this Sunday from 7pm. until 10pm. There are four past Sky at Night programmes, plus the tribute programme and finally an interview with Mark Lawson talking about his early life and career. (Per Peter Paice) 

9. INTERESTING WEBLINKS: 

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/tech/,

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/01/09/lynx-space-academy-buzz-aldrin-briton-competition_n_2439935.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

http://www.space.com/19159-nasa-461-alien-planets-kepler.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/01/10/koi-17202-alien-super-earth-dolphins_n_2445437.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/01/11/ngc-6872-largest-spiral-galaxy_n_2453935.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/01/07/asteroid-apophis-potentially-hazardous_n_2424438.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2259153/The-floating-icebergs-Titan-Astronomers-say-hydrocarbon-blocks-hold-key-exotic-form-life.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2258927/Phantom-Opera-neutron-star-surrounded-hot-gas-clouds-formed-image-mask.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2258851/Manned-mission-Mars-Sleep-deprivation-key-problem.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2259520/Is-final-frontier-mankind-space-Robotic-astronaut-paces-International-Space-Station.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2259561/The-71-year-old-Gateshead-discovered-new-planet--scientists-say-help-alien-life.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2259136/Apophis-Doomsday-asteroid-hit-Earth-2036-whizzed-past-us.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2259706/The-way-trip-Mars-received-1-000-applications.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2258842/NASA-space-telescope-shows-17-billion-Earth-like-planets-Milky-Way.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2258417/The-lunar-amigos-Mystery-bizarre-impact-craters-spotted-surface-moon.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2259492/Astronomers-missing-link-comets-hint-presence-unknown-planets.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2259696/Vega-The-bright-star-family-planets-Earth-twin.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2259753/Something-eye-The-mysterious-planet-astronomers-Eye-Sauron.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2260925/How-did-miss-Astronomers-reveal-biggest-thing-universe--say-4-BILLION-years-cross-travelling-speed-light.html 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2260608/Colliding-galaxies-lead-biggest-spiral-seen-cosmos--astronomers-say-giving-birth-new-one.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2260051/Astronomers-use-ancient-supernova-Wayback-TV-watch-live-stream-entire-month-universes-distant-past.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2260203/A-new-twin-planet-Scientists-announce-Earth-like-world--boosting-chances-search-alien-life.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2260308/Could-Nasas-rover-sponsored-Lobbyist-suggests-private-companies-help-pay-space-exploration.html

Onboard tour of the ISS: www.youtube.com/watch?v=doN4t5NKW-k
 

10. TWITTER: Follow the IAA on Twitter:  @IaaAstro

11. BBC THINGS TO DO WEBSITE: See the forthcoming IAA events on  

http://www.bbc.co.uk/thingstodo. Look under 'Countryfile'.

 

12. JOINING the IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION is easy: This link downloads a Word document to join the IAA. http://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.  See also www.irishastro.org. 

  

Clear skies,

Terry Moseley

Party, SAN, Jup Watch, Lecture, S/Live, Astro Course, GSP, IFAS Astronomer 2012

Hi all,

 

1.  IAA New Year Party - FINAL REMINDER. This will be held on Saturday 5 January. We start with a buffet meal at McBrides restaurant in The Square, Comber, followed by a special private screening of a film in the local Tudor private cinema. Meet at McBrides at about 5.30 p.m. for 6.0. p.m. The film will be "Men in Black 3". This film is supposed to be funny, but has some S/F violence, and has a rating of PG-13, so parental discretion is advised regarding any children. We will also have free refreshments at the Tudor Cinema, including my notorious seasonal punch (notorious because no-one else can make one like it!), tea & coffee, and soft drinks. We will also have George's entertaining and challenging quiz.

   Directions: McBrides is in The Square, (NE corner) in Comber, at the junction of the A21 towards Ballygowan and the A22 towards Killinchy. GPS: 54 deg 33' 1" N; 5 deg 44' 44" W. You can park in the Square itself.

Directions to the Tudor Cinema from Comber: Take the A22 towards Killinchy, and about 1 mile beyond the end of the 30 mph speed limit sign, take the FIRST RIGHT into Drumhirk Road. GPS for this junction: 54 deg 31' 59.5", 5 deg 43' 54.6" W. The entrance to the Cinema is about 500 yards along Drumhirk Road, on the left - look out for signs for our event. Follow this laneway to the end, and it will bring you to the car park. GPS: 54 deg 31' 47" N, 5 deg 44' 15" W.  

 

2. Sir Patrick Moore's final SKY AT NIGHT: 

   BBC1 Sunday, 6 Jan. 12 midnight-12.20am . Repeated Saturday, 12 Jan. BBC 2

   BBC4  Thursday, 10 Jan. 7.30 - 8.0pm  Extended version.  Repeated Sun Jan 13 at 7 p.m.

   BBC HD: Friday Jan 11 at 11.50 p.m.

 

3. IAA LECTURE: The next IAA public lecture will be on 9 January, at 7.30 p.m.. It will be given by Prof Phil Dufton, of Queen's University. Entitled "45 Years in Astronomy"; Phil will recount the tremendous changes that have occurred in astronomy 'under his watch', as he now retires after a long and distinguished career. I've a feeling that some interesting anecdotes will also be included. This will be an interesting and entertaining start to the new lecture season, and all are welcome.

  Admission is free, including light refreshments

This lecture will as usual be in the Bell Lecture theatre, Physics building, main QUB Campus.

 

4. BBC's STARGAZING LIVE - IAA Events: 

The whole event will be over the period  8 - 10 January, and the IAA is once again the main partner with the BBC in delivering this major public broadcast initiative. Last year was an unbelievable success, and the plans are to make the next one much bigger and even better.

A.  Public "Jupiter Watch": Tuesday 8 January, 6.00 - 9.00 p.m. VENUE: QUB Main Campus. This free event will be presented by members of the IAA in association with the School of Mathematics and Physics, QUB, in front of the main building at Queen's University, from 6 pm to 9pm. Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system, and could contain 1,000 planets the size of the Earth. It also has four large moons, which are easy to see in the telescopes provided, if the sky is clear. 

   We will have a large selection of telescopes so that everyone can get a look at this giant planet, and its hour large moons, discovered by Galileo 400 years ago.

   Did you know that Jupiter's Moons were used by Danish astronomer Ole Roemer, in 1675, to give the first accurate measurement of the speed of light? Watch the moons and see if you can work out how he did it!

   If it's cloudy, Dr Chris Watson will give a public lecture in the Larmor Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, entitled "Jupiters around other stars". See: http://tinyurl.com/qubjupiterwatch

 

B. Lecture on 9 January, QUB, as above.

 

C. Venue: Lough Neagh Discovery Centre (LNDC), Oxford Island, near Lurgan, Co Armagh, on 10 January, 6 p.m..

Events and activities: 

* Public Observing if clear: Giant planet Jupiter with its four big moons, + all the usual Deep Sky wonders using a selection of powerful telescopes and binoculars. Live telescope images will also be displayed on computer monitors beside the telescopes for easier viewing. Wrap up warm from head to toe for this!

* Starshows in the big inflatable planetarium. Due to the expected demand, these presentations will be ticket only, issued on a first come - first served basis.

* Amazing Photo Exhibition: The fantastic A0 size photos produced for International Year of Astronomy 2009 will again be on show, plus some of the best from other sources.

* Telescope and binocular exhibition: see all the varieties available, the pros and cons of each, and learn how to use them to their best capacity.

* Meteorites: an exhibition of many different sorts of meteorites - hold in your hand a piece of outer space (if you can hold it!), with experts there to talk about them.

* Our own local "Ulsternaut" - Derek Heatly from Co Down, who will be the first Ulsterman to go into space. Derek has booked to go into space with Virgin Galactic's Spaceship One, and will be there to talk about his training experiences and forthcoming flight, with videos.

* Stargazing cruises on Lough Neagh on the Maid of Antrim (weather permitting)

* See how giant asteroid impact craters on the Moon, Mars, and here on Earth are made.

* Telescope workshop: If you can't get your own telescope to work properly, bring it along and we'll try to sort it out for you.

* Q&A session: 'Everything you always wanted to know about astronomy' - a panel of experts will be there to answer questions from the public on everything from the Andromeda Galaxy to the Zeeman Effect.

* Hands-on demos: Make your own comet, etc.

* EU-UNAWE (EUropean UNiverse AWAreness) presentation

* Children's activities.

In other words, something for everyone.

The BBC will also be organising other events: see their website for details

  

5. ASTRONOMY COURSE at STRANMILLIS COLLEGE, BELFAST. I will be delivering a two part course, introduction to astronomy, as follows:

Astronomy:  Our place in the Universe

Looking to the sky for the first time you may feel overwhelmed and confused by the spectacle of thousands of stars above your head.  Astronomy is a great gateway science that can inspire you to do great things!  Participants will gain enjoyment from exploring the wonders of the night sky.  The topics covered include Greek mythology, Egyptian and Babylonian cosmology, Astrobiology, Quantum Physics, Terrestrial and Jovian planets and Solar System to help us understand our place in the cosmos.  This is a great way for the community to come together and take a fresh look at our night sky.....it belongs to us all.  No experience necessary and questions encouraged! 

Tutor:             Terry Moseley, Time:              7.00pm - 9.00pm

Session 1:         Tuesdays, 5 weeks; dates:      19^th February 2013 – 19^th March 2013 

Location:        Central Building.

Session 2:         Tuesdays, 5 weeks. Time: 7.00pm - 9.00pm. Dates:      9^th April 2013 – 7^th May 2013.   Location:        Central Building

There will also be a daytime visit to Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, provisionally on 17 May.

Full details and booking at:  http://www.stran.ac.uk/informationabout/courses/professionaldevelopmentlifelonglearning/

6. Galway Star Party: UPDATE: NB if you are going to this event, you are advised to book accommodation soon, as the Galway Rally will be on the same weekend.

The 10th Galway Starparty: "Ireland, the Final Frontier" takes place on Saturday, 2nd February, 2013 at the Westwood House Hotel, Galway City.

The speakers include:

Dr. Andy Shearer (Centre for Astronomy, NUIG): "Kepler: The Search for Habitable Planets"

Dave Gradwell: "OSCAR: A unique Irish Solar Observatory"

Ronan Newman (workshop): "Celestial Light: Chasing the Elusive Irish Aurora"

John Flannery (South Dublin AS): "What makes a Great Comet?"

Prof. Tom Ray (DIAS): "Making Stars and Planets: The First Three Billion Years"

Dave Grennan: "Hunting Extra-Galactic Supernovae from Ireland"

Terry Moseley (IAA): "Untold Stories of Sir Patrick Moore, FRS" (Celebrating his 90th Birthday)

Professor Lorraine O'Hanlon (UCD) "The GLORIA project"

Details & bookings at: http://galwayastronomyclub.ie/

 

7. GLOBE AT NIGHT:

Join the Worldwide GLOBE at Night 2013 Campaign.

   What would it be like without stars at night? What is it we lose? Starry night skies have given us poetry, art, music and the wonder to explore. A bright night sky (aka light pollution) affects energy consumption, health and wildlife too. Spend a few minutes to help scientists by measuring the brightness of your night sky. Join the GLOBE at Night citizen-science campaign (www.globeatnight.org). The first campaign starts January 3 and runs through January 12.

 

8.  IFAS ASTRONOMER OF THE YEAR - Ronan Newman: I'm sure you'll all join me in congratulating Ronan Newman of Galway Astronomy Club who has been voted as "IFAS Astronomer of the Year 2012", for his work on organising the annual Galway Star Party, notifications on aurorae, and his service to Galway Astronomy Club.

 

9. IAA Annual Subscriptions: All IAA members are reminded that if they have not yet renewed their subscriptions for 2012 - 2013, they will not have received the last issue of STARDUST. You can do this easily online: http://irishastro.org.uk/join1.html, or via www.irishastro.org, or download a form.

 

10. INTERESTING WEBLINKS: 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2257150/The-green-green-grass-Mars-Researchers-create-stunning-vision-red-planet-looked-like.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/01/04/mars-meteorite-nwa-7034-b_n_2407542.html

http://www.thenewstribe.com/2013/01/04/black-beauty-could-yield-martian-secrets/

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/tvradio/programmes/horizon/einstein_symphony_prog_summary.shtml
(thanks to Aswin at Armagh Observatory for that link)

 

11. TWITTER: Follow the IAA on Twitter:  @IaaAstro

12. BBC THINGS TO DO WEBSITE: See the forthcoming IAA events on  

http://www.bbc.co.uk/thingstodo. Look under 'Countryfile'.

 

13. JOINING the IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION is easy: This link downloads a Word document to join the IAA. http://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.  See also www.irishastro.org. 

  

A very happy and peaceful New Year to all.

 

Clear skies,

Terry Moseley