Hi all,
1. International Day of Light, 16 May: Ulster Museum, Belfast
To celebrate the International Day of Light on 16th May a sample of Vantablack, the blackest material on Earth, will go on display in the Elements gallery at the Ulster Museum.
Soot absorbs more than 97% of light hitting it, which is why it looks so black. But Vantablack (Vertically Aligned NanoTube Arrays) is far blacker still. It absorbs 99.97% of the light. Almost no light is reflected back, so what is there to see? Come and find out for yourself. Join us in the gallery from 7pm to marvel at this 'very dark thing'.
At 7.45 join Dr Liz Conlon, from the Institute of Physics, to hear about the very nature of light, how light helps us understand so many aspects of ourselves and our Universe, and how light pervades human culture from ancient times to the present day.
Tickets for this event are free, however booking is advisable. Click on the 'Book tickets' button on the following link. https://www.nmni.com/whats-on/come-into-the-light
2. ISS The ISS continues its series of morning passes over Ireland, and this will transition on about 20 May into evening passes which will continue until 6 June. Details as usual on www.heavens-above.com
3. 23rd May: Public Open Night at Dunsink Observatory
DIAS Dunsink Observatory will be open to families and all members of the public for an open evening from 7pm. Register here.
DIAS Dunsink Observatory will be open to families and all members of the public for an open evening from 7pm. Register here.
4. NEW: Free Lectures on Quantum Physics, 28 May St Patrick's College, DCU, Drumcondra Road, Dublin (from Dr Brien Nolan)
Irish Quantum Foundations 2018 is presenting two IQF 2018 public talks on Monday May 28th
(1) "Entanglement: Einstein's gift to quantum mechanics" by Prof. Duncan Haldane, 2016 Nobel Laureate in Physics and Sherman Fairchild University Professor of Physics at Princeton University.
(2) "Lost in Math: How Beauty Leads Physics Astray" by Dr. Sabine Hossenfelder, theoretical physicist at the Frankfurt Institute of Advanced Studies and author of "Lost in Math: How Beauty Leads Physics Astray" and the popular physics blog "Backreaction". The talks are free to attend but registration is required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/iqf-2018-public-lectures-prof-duncan-haldane-dr-sabine-hossenfelder-tickets-44844392786
(2) "Lost in Math: How Beauty Leads Physics Astray" by Dr. Sabine Hossenfelder, theoretical physicist at the Frankfurt Institute of Advanced Studies and author of "Lost in Math: How Beauty Leads Physics Astray" and the popular physics blog "Backreaction". The talks are free to attend but registration is required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
This promises to be a very interesting evening for professional physicists and the general public alike and we were hoping that you might be able to advertise it to your members. It is a wonderful opportunity for the public to have one of quantum mechanics' most fascinating features explained to them by a Nobel Laureate who has himself made seminal contributions to quantum theory. In particular, we would like to reach as many young people as possible (secondary school and undergraduate)
5. Blackrock Castle Observatory, Cork; 9 June Sea to Sky; a day of free, family-friendly activities that bring the importance of marine and astronomy science to life for all. On Saturday 9th June, 2018 from 11:00 a.m. - 05:00 p.m. there will be a series free events that celebrate our marine and astronomical heritage at CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory , Castle Road, Blackrock, Cork. No booking is required. Spaces will be issued on a first come, first served, basis. Further details here: https://www.bco.ie/events/sea-to-sky/
6. 11th June: Joycetime at Dunsink Observatory
A Bloomsday festival event exploring the many references to Dunsink time, astronomy and famous astronomers of the day in Ulysses. More information on this public event here.
7. Globe at Night Campaigns
Globe at Night is an international citizen-science campaign to raise public awareness of the impact of light pollution by inviting citizen-scientists to measure night-sky brightness and submit their observations. It's easy to get involved—all you need is a computer or smartphone. Don't miss any of the ongoing Globe at Night 2018 campaigns at https://www.globeatnight.org/5-steps.php .
Globe at Night is an international citizen-science campaign to raise public awareness of the impact of light pollution by inviting citizen-scientists to measure night-sky brightness and submit their observations. It's easy to get involved—all you need is a computer or smartphone. Don't miss any of the ongoing Globe at Night 2018 campaigns at https://www.globeatnight.org/
8. Solarfest, Dunsink Observatory, Dublin, 15-17 June (main event on 16th)
A fun way to find out more about the Sun and its place among the other stars, as well as its crucial importance to Earth. The weekend-long event include talks, tours of the observatory, and solar observing if the weather permits. Open to general public. More information at https://www.dunsink.dias.ie/?s=solarfest&submit =
9. June 23rd: Designation of Dunsink Observatory as a site of historic significance
By the European Physical Society. DIAS Dunsink Observatory will join other European sites such as Einstein's house.
By the European Physical Society. DIAS Dunsink Observatory will join other European sites such as Einstein's house.
10. IAA Midsummer BBQ, 23 June, at Armagh Planetarium. More details later.
12. July 2-6 , Blackrock Castle Observatory Summer CPD: Junior Rocket Scientists: Space Science as a Cross-Curricular Theme.
The European Space Education Office (ESERO) Ireland and Discover Primary Science & Maths are offering places for teachers on a 5-day professional development course at CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory from 9.30am to 2pm, July 2 to 6, 2018. Course Fee: €50 (paid to Cork Education Support Centre). Further details here: https://www.bco.ie/events/summer-cpd-junior/
Advance Notice:
13. International Science Engagement Camp (ISEC), 6-22 July 2018
Barcelona, Spain. More Information: www.isec2018.wordpress.com
Barcelona, Spain. More Information: www.isec2018.
14. Festival of Curiosity, Dublin: 19 – 22 July.
15. Robotic Telescopes, Student Research and Education (RTSRE) & InterNational Astronomy Teaching Summit Conferences, 23-27 July 2018. The 2nd annual Conference on Robotic Telescopes, Student Research and Education (RTSRE) will be held in Hilo, Hawai'i from July 23-25, 2018. This conference series focuses on building a sustainable community around the educational, technical, and student research uses of robotic telescopes. The conference will be co-located with the interNational Astronomy Teaching Summit (iNATS) from July 25-27, 2018 providing worldwide networking opportunities and hands-on workshops designed to expand educators' teaching strategy toolkit designed for innovative astronomy professors, teachers, and outreach professionals. Find more information here: http://rtsre.net/
16. Red Moon Serene Universe – BCO Lunar Eclipse viewing Event
Join us at CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory from 7.30pm, on Friday 27th July, 2018, for an opportunity to look out beyond our life on the ground and experience the magnificence of space. On this evening the Moon will pass through the Earth's shadow. It will be a very deep eclipse, as the Moon will pass almost straight through the middle of the shadow. As the deep red Moon rises higher in the sky in the hours that follow, it slowly moves out of the eclipse which ends at 23:15 local time, when the full Moon will return to its normal appearance.
Schedule:
7.30pm to 8.30pm: Serene Universe -Film with concert performance, Adult audience. Followed by Shadows - Short Talk with Maarten Roos. Booking required.
7.30pm to 8.30pm: Family Friendly Eclipse Workshop: no booking required, drop in.
9pm: Moon Viewing: No booking required, weather dependent
Further details here: https://www.bco.ie/events/red-moon-serene-universe/
17. SOLAR ECLIPSE CONFERENCE, 2018. We are happy to announce that it's now possible to register for the
Solar Eclipse Conference 2018 which will take place from August 2nd to August 5th in Genk (Belgium)!
Those who decide now can enjoy an early bird discount (€ 190,- instead of € 220,- for the full congress). Day tickets are also available (€ 75,00 per day).
We've also got 5 partner hotels. Book your stay by clicking on the link on our website and receive the special SEC2018 rate.
To view the lecture schedule or to purchase tickets, please visit our web site: www.sec2018.be <http://www.sec2018.be>.
Solar Eclipse Conference 2018 which will take place from August 2nd to August 5th in Genk (Belgium)!
Those who decide now can enjoy an early bird discount (€ 190,- instead of € 220,- for the full congress). Day tickets are also available (€ 75,00 per day).
We've also got 5 partner hotels. Book your stay by clicking on the link on our website and receive the special SEC2018 rate.
To view the lecture schedule or to purchase tickets, please visit our web site: www.sec2018.be <http://www.sec2018.be>.
18. Inspiring Stars—the IAU Inclusive World Exhibition, 20-31 August 2018
"Inspiring Stars" will be an itinerant international exhibition promoted by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to disseminate world efforts on inclusive research and outreach activities in astronomy. This inclusive world exhibition by showcasing assistive research tools and best inclusive outreach practices intends to broaden the horizons of children, parents, teachers and astronomers—everybody can become a scientist (astronomer)—inspiring the love for science in young people's minds.
The exhibition will premiere during the IAU General Assembly 2018 in Vienna, from 20–31 August and will be shown around the world. Stay tuned as we keep you posted on all the progress of this IAU not-to-be-missed project for 2018!
"Inspiring Stars" will be an itinerant international exhibition promoted by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to disseminate world efforts on inclusive research and outreach activities in astronomy. This inclusive world exhibition by showcasing assistive research tools and best inclusive outreach practices intends to broaden the horizons of children, parents, teachers and astronomers—everybody can become a scientist (astronomer)—inspiring the love for science in young people's minds.
The exhibition will premiere during the IAU General Assembly 2018 in Vienna, from 20–31 August and will be shown around the world. Stay tuned as we keep you posted on all the progress of this IAU not-to-be-missed project for 2018!
19. Archaeology Ireland: Pathways to the Cosmos event, Dublin Castle, on September 15th. This major European conference on Archaeoastronomy will probably be booked out quickly, so book now if you want to attend. There are several speakers from Ireland. You can access details here:
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/pathways-to-the-cosmos-tickets-45383757039
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/
20. The professional astronomy conference European Planetary Science Congress 2018 (EPSC) will be held from September 16 to September 21, 2018 in Berlin, Germany. This yearly conference gives an inspiring insight of the latest discoveries and the current status of Solar System astronomy and planetary science and welcomes the participation of amateur astronomers.
In particular the AM1 session "Professional-amateur collaborations in small bodies, terrestrial, giant and exo planets studies" and the AM2 session "Juno Ground-Based Support from Amateurs" are organized by amateur astronomers together with professionals and are open to presentations by amateurs. We invite you to actively participate to these sessions by contributing a paper (fill in the abstract submission form in the "Amateur Astronomy" program group, deadline May 16th, 2018) and/or to exchange views and ideas with other amateur and professional astronomers. Contributions will be oral talks and poster contributions. The language at the meeting will be English for all presentations.
Please note that this year EUROPLANET-2020 will provide budget to support amateurs from European countries. This budget will be allocated to in priority to active contributors (with oral or poster contributions, selected considering their scientific value and promoting diversity of participants from different countries). Depending on the budget left, amateurs only attending to the conference could also be (partially) funded (if you are interested, please let me know).
Please feel free to circulate this message to all those who might be interested in the event. Looking forward your contribution or participation, Marc Delcroix and Ricardo Hueso, SOC members of EPSC2018 AM program
21. Space Generation Congress (SGC): 27-29 September 2018: Bremen, Germany
More Information: https://spacegeneration.org/sgc2018
22. International Astronautical Congress. 1 – 5 October 2018. Bremen, Germany
More Information: http://www.iafastro.org/events/iac/iac-2018/
More Information: https://
22. International Astronautical Congress. 1 – 5 October 2018. Bremen, Germany
More Information: http://www.
24. Junior Cycle Conference for Teachers; BCO - Teaching Earth and Space in the Junior Cycle
Practical workshops, inspirational speakers on space and panel discussions supporting the Earth and Space Strand. Join us from 9:15am - 5pm on Saturday 6th October 2018 at Birr Castle and Science Centre, Birr, Co. Offaly. Book through Eventbrite. Further details and booking here: https://www.bco.ie/events/jc-conference/
25. International Observe the Moon Night: 20 October 2018: http://
26: Mayo Dark Sky Festival, 2-4 November www.mayodarkskyfestival.ie FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/mayodarkskies
27. Centenary of IAU in 2019: IAU100: Uniting our World to Explore the Universe
In 2019, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) will celebrate its 100th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, the IAU will organize a year-long celebration to expand awareness of a century of astronomical discoveries as well as to support and improve the use of astronomy as a tool for education, development, and diplomacy under the central theme "Uniting our World to Explore the Universe". The celebrations will stimulate worldwide interest in astronomy and science and will reach out to the global astronomical community, national science organizations and societies, policy-makers, students and families, and the general public.
For any inquiries, please contact Jorge Rivero González, the IAU100 Coordinator at: rivero[at]strw.leidenuniv.nl
In 2019, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) will celebrate its 100th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, the IAU will organize a year-long celebration to expand awareness of a century of astronomical discoveries as well as to support and improve the use of astronomy as a tool for education, development, and diplomacy under the central theme "Uniting our World to Explore the Universe". The celebrations will stimulate worldwide interest in astronomy and science and will reach out to the global astronomical community, national science organizations and societies, policy-makers, students and families, and the general public.
For any inquiries, please contact Jorge Rivero González, the IAU100 Coordinator at: rivero[at]strw.leidenuniv.nl
28. Starmus V — Star-studded Lineup for 2019
Created by Garik Israelian, a researcher at the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC), the Starmus Festival is a combination of science, art and music that has featured presentations from astronauts, cosmonauts, Nobel Prize winners and other prominent figures from science, culture, the arts and music. Now celebrating its fifth year, and timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Moon landings, Starmus V will take place in Bern, Switzerland, from 24 to 29 June 2019. The IAU is a partner organisation of Starmus and among the confirmed speakers will be IAU Secretary General, Piero Benvenuti, and IAU President-elect, Ewine van Dishoeck. IAU announcement: https://www.iau.org/news/announcements/detail/ann18007/
Created by Garik Israelian, a researcher at the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (IAC), the Starmus Festival is a combination of science, art and music that has featured presentations from astronauts, cosmonauts, Nobel Prize winners and other prominent figures from science, culture, the arts and music. Now celebrating its fifth year, and timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Moon landings, Starmus V will take place in Bern, Switzerland, from 24 to 29 June 2019. The IAU is a partner organisation of Starmus and among the confirmed speakers will be IAU Secretary General, Piero Benvenuti, and IAU President-elect, Ewine van Dishoeck. IAU announcement: https://www.iau.org/news/
29. Interesting Weblinks (Disclaimer - Use of material herein from various sources does not imply approval or otherwise of the opinions, political or otherwise, of those sources). NB: If the title in the weblink does not indicate the subject matter, I give a brief simple intro before the link. I may also comment about the link afterwards.
ASTROPHYSICS
COSMOLOGY
Life may be possible in other multiverses https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180514083908.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29 And if there's an infinite number of other universes, as predicted by the multiverse theory, then there's an infinite number of other civilizations…
EARTH and MOON
New magnetic events around Earth https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180509135414.htm
Earth's seasons may guide search for ET life https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180509135417.htm
Earth's orbit changes every 405,000 years affect climate https://newatlas.com/earth-orbit-climate-change/54539/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2018-05-09%20084336%20Other%20Daily%20Basic%202018-05-09%20084627%20Astronomers%20stumble%20on%20what%20may%20be%20toddler%20exoplanet&utm_content=2018-05-09%20084336%20Other%20Daily%20Basic%202018-05-09%20084627%20Astronomers%20stumble%20on%20what%20may%20be%20toddler%20exoplanet+CID_2c6a07a0196ae03e99c07719b027e500&utm_source=Campaign%20Monitor&utm_term=Read%20more
EXOPLANETS:
A cloudless Exoplanet https://www.space.com/40526-alien-planet-wasp-96b-has-no-clouds.html#?utm_source=ls-newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=05132018-ls
QUANTUM MYSTERIES
Bell Test shows Einstein was wrong (via test devised by Belfast's John Bell)
SOLAR SYSTEM
QUB astronomers discover fugitive asteroid in outer Solar System https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180509081954.htm
Mars' growth affected by instability of the giant planets https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180507084832.htm
SPACE
SUN
Mystery of Sun's high temperature Corona. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180508131011.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29 An even greater mystery is why a science website still gives temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit!
TELESCOPES, INSTRUMENTS, TECHNIQUES
GWs from binaries in Globular Clusters detectable by LISA https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/05/180511160242.htm
30. JOINING the IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION. 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 .
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 .
The Irish Astronomical Association is registered with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC 105858
DISCLAIMER: Any views expressed herein are mine, and do not necessarily represent those of the IAA.
Clear skies,
Terry Moseley
mob: (0044) (0) 7979 300842
