Hi all,
Please note: send all correspondence to me only at: terrymosel@aol.com
1. IAA 50th Anniversary Event, Armagh, 18 May
This major event will celebrate the 50 years since the formation of the IAA (formerly the Belfast and Armagh Centres of the IAS). We have FOUR major speakers in the afternoon session, exclusive access to the Star-theatre with great shows all morning, tours of the observatory and Astropark and another little-known astronomy site. Lunch and snacks will be provided free on-site. There will also be an optional special anniversary dinner in the Armagh City Hotel, the cost of which includes wine.
NB – There are still some places available – it's not too late to book!
WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM FOR HOSTING THIS EVENT.
NB: Non-IAA members and guests are welcome too: it will be a great day, not to be missed.
HIGHLIGHT SPEAKERS:
Professor Peter Gallagher, Head of School of Cosmic Physics, DIAS: "Flying Through the Solar Wind with Solar Orbiter"
ABSTRACT:
The Solar Orbiter missions launched in February 2020 and since then has been winding its way through the solar system into the inner heliosphere, where it is now giving us new views and measurements of the solar wind and solar transients. In this talk, I will describe the mission, the insights that Orbiter is giving us, and describe the Solar-Telescope Imaging X-rays (STIX) instrument that the team at the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies is involved in. In addition, I will describe the solar and geomagnetic activity that we have had in recent weeks together with prospects for future solar activity.
Biography: Professor Peter Gallagher is Head of Astronomy & Astrophysics and Director of Dunsink Observatory, in the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, Ireland. He was also instrumental in establishing the I-Lofar Radio Telescope Observatory in Birr Castle Demesne, which is part of the LOFAR Europe-wide network.
Professor Stefano Bagnulo, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium
"Auroral phenomena and metal scars at the surface of white dwarfs"
Abstract: When stars like our Sun reach the end of their lives, they shrink down to Earth-sized objects called white dwarfs. Remarkably, about one in four white dwarfs possesses an incredibly strong magnetic field — often much stronger than anything we can create on Earth. Many of these white dwarfs capture remnants of their planetary systems, such as comets, asteroids, or even small planets, which fall onto their surfaces. I will describe the recent discovery of a white dwarf where the debris of an asteroid similar to Vesta in size have been funneled by the star's magnetic field, and concentrated around the magnetic poles, creating a phenomenon reminiscent or Earth's auroras. I will explain what these observations tell us about exo-solar planets, and about the atmospheres of white dwarfs. I will also describe the telescopes that enabled this discovery, and provide insight, more in general, into the modern methods used for astronomical observations.
Biography: Stefano Bagnulo studied Physics at the University of Florence in Italy, and obtained his PhD at QUB, Belfast, in 1996. He has worked at the University of Vienna, and at the Paranal Observatory in Chile, where he was a member of the Science Operations Team of the ESO Very Large Telescope. He joined Armagh Observatory in 2007.
Professor Tom Ray, School of Cosmic Physics, DIAS: "Building the Extremely Large Telescope: Challenges and Hopes for the Future"
Abstract: The Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) is over half-way to completion. Its construction will not only be a
milestone in the history of the European Southern Observatory but also for Astronomy. In my talk I will explain the challenges we have faced, the novel solutions, and the hoped-for scientific return. I will also describe the first set of instruments and what we hope they will achieve.
Biography: Professor Tom Ray is a senior professor in the DIAS School of Cosmic Physics,
He is Co-Principal Investigator of the Mid-Infrared Instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope, and also leads a group in DIAS developing optical/near-infrared Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) for use in Astronomy. He is an ERC Advanced Grant Laureate and his other interests include ancient astronomical sites, like Newgrange, and Historical Astronomy.
Tom received his primary degree in Theoretical Physics from Trinity College Dublin in 1978, followed by an MSc and PhD from the University of Manchester while carrying out research in Radio Astronomy at Jodrell Bank. He subsequently became a research fellow at the University of Sussex, an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg and then returned to Ireland as a Lecturer in University College Dublin. He became one of the youngest professors in the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies in 1986.
Tom is the Robert Ball Professor in Trinity College Dublin, a member of the Royal Irish Academy (MRIA), a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (FRAS), and a Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Professor Alan Fitzsimmons, Astrophysics Research Centre, QUB "Exocomets"
Abstract: Every year roughly 60 more comets are discovered orbiting our Sun. But for decades, astronomers have been discovering comet-like objects in other Solar systems. Slowly but surely astronomers have been uncovering their secrets. This talk will briefly review how astronomers discover and understand comets formed in other Solar systems, some light-years away and some a bit closer, and how much we understand about them at present.
Biography: Professor Alan Fitzsimmons has been an astronomer at Queen's University Belfast for almost half the orbit of Halley's Comet. His research has mainly involved finding that asteroids and comets are red, or gassy, or red and gassy. His current interests are finding marks to give in student's exam papers, and planning a holiday. (This is what Alan supplied – needless to say he is being FAR too modest, as we all know!)
DINNER: After the Dinner in the Armagh City Hotel, there will be a presentation by members of some historic photos, and the recent Total Solar Eclipse in North America, and some of the best recent aurora photos.
COST:
Full event, including lunch and morning and afternoon light refreshments, plus evening dinner, including wine: £65 adults, £30 children
Day events only as above, but excluding dinner: Adults £20, children £10.
PAYMENT: Must be received NO LATER than Thursday 16 May!
By cheque, payable to Irish Astronomical Association, to IAA Secretary, Mary Kirwan-Mackey, 89 Old Gransha Rd, Bangor, Co Down, BT19 7HA. or
Paypal: Go to www.irishastro.org and click the donate button or
Bank Transfer: To; Irish Astronomical Association, Sort code 950114, Account No 20095443, or contact secretary at: Callistoboxer@hotmail.com for advice/details
NB: IF you turn up on the day, with payment, we won't turn you away provided that there are still places available.
TIMETABLE:
09.30: Registration, tea coffee.
10.00: Stardome – welcome by Director of AOP, Professor Michael Burton, and IAA President Paul Bates
10.15: Stardome – Show "CapCom Go"
11.00: Stardome – Show "Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon"
11.40: Stardome – Show: Special Showcase production by AOP
12.00: Copernicus Hall: Lunch – Soup and Sandwiches
13.00: Copernicus Hall: Lecture: Prof Peter Gallagher – 'Solar Orbiter'
13.50: Copernicus Hall: Lecture: Prof Stefano Bagnulo – 'Aurorae and Metal Scars on White Dwarfs'
14.40: Copernicus Hall: Tea, Coffee, light snacks
15.00: Copernicus Hall: Lecture: Prof Tom Ray – 'Building the Extremely Large Telescope'
15.50: Copernicus Hall: Lecture: Prof Alan Fitzsimmons: "Exocomets"
16.40: Copernicus Hall: Closing comments + outline of rest of programme
17.00: All must be out of the Planetarium!
17.15: Tours of Observatory, Astropark and Hill of Infinity. (NB, the latter involves walking on grass uphill: wear suitable footwear!). Because of space limitations, only a small group can enter the main observatory building at one time, so there will be several groups, and the tours will operate in rotation. Unfortunately, the tour inside the building, and the Hill of Infinity, are not suitable for wheelchair users, or anyone with severe mobility restrictions.
18.30 (approx). Walking visit to the Celestial Sphere, Upper English Street.
19.15 (approx) Make your way to the Armagh City Hotel: for check in, comfort breaks, relaxation
20.00 Dinner in Armagh City Hotel
Followed by presentation by members of some historic events, the recent total solar eclipse and aurora
2. Astrophoto competition. There's still time to enter for this year's event, sponsored by DIAS, Closing date is Friday 17 May at 5 p.m. Details at www.reachforthestars.ie
3. NEWS FROM ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM:
New Dome Show: Our Night Sky, 2pm Tues - Sun
Have you ever looked up into the night sky and wondered 'what is that star called?' or 'how many constellations are there?' Created and produced by Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, this interactive show will showcase the best of our night sky! It will showcase all our seasonal skies offer and let you ask all your stargazing questions.
Our World From Space
One Saturday a Month
Embark on a captivating journey through the wonders of our home planet, as seen from space, at our family Our World from Space Club.
Learn together with your child (perfect for KS2 children) in this fun and interesting club at the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium!
Each session will involve learning in our digital theatre, an indoor activity and an outdoor activity.
4. Dark Sky Ireland Newsletter
Welcome to our Spring 2024 Newsletter (mailchi.mp)
5. ESA SCIENCE DIRECTORATE, Online Meeting Tuesday, 28 May, 09.30 – 12.30, CEST (NB – Not GMT or BST!): The Director of Science at the European Space Agency, Professor Carole Mundell, is delighted to invite you to join her for her first Science Directorate Town Hall.
During this Town Hall, we will provide an introduction to ESA's world leading Science Programme, which is co-developed in a bottom-up approach from within the Member States. This will be followed by a presentation about the role of the Directorate's Advisory Structure, the status of the Cosmic Vision programme, including LISA and NewAthena, and the status of and plans for Voyage 2050.
The Town Hall will provide an opportunity for direct exchange between the Directorate's Executive and the broader scientific community, including current and future users of ESA's missions. In introducing the long-term vision of ESA's Science Programme and preparations for future funding, the event will provide a channel to hear the views and ambitions of the scientific community.
The event will be held fully online to ensure maximum accessibility. All members of the scientific community, independent of their career stage or affiliation, are invited to attend. There will be opportunity to learn about ways in which community members of different career levels can benefit from and engage with the Science Programme, with ample time for Q&A with the Director of Science, her leadership team, and key members of the Advisory Structure.
The meeting will be run as a virtual event. Visit the web page: https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/dsci_townhall_2024/home
6. Online & Live: Lecture, Conway Hall, Wednesday, 29 May 2024 - 19:00 First light: Revealing the Early Universe
By Professor Chris Lintott, Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Oxford, and a Research Fellow at New College. Chris was educated at Magdalene College, Cambridge.
No Registration Required: https://app.sli.do/event/9UHpm5FESC2KPM6nBcGJcj
The final lecture in the series returns to the theme of how insight is derived from observations, considering the cosmic microwave background.
This oldest light in the Universe, emitted just 400,000 years after the Big Bang, contains the seeds of the structures we see around us, and tells us about conditions at the Universe's beginning. It will also consider how measurements of the Universe's expansion, made using the CMB, are leading to unexpected results, creating tension in modern cosmology.
7. COMET
Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) is currently around 10th magnitude in Virgo, moving slowly towards Leo, but may become as bright as first magnitude in the autumn. But as we all know, predicting comet magnitudes is notoriously difficult!
8. Paul Bates' Astronomy & Physics Lectures at BMC
Class enrolments are now open at the Belfast Met for the evening classes in GCSE Astronomy and GCSE Physics that I will be teaching, beginning in September 2024.
The Physics course contains a limited amount of astronomy content whereas the Astronomy course spends the entire academic year delving into the details of the subject.
Website URLs link to the course enrolment website.
GCSE Physics (Tuesday evening 6pm to 8:30pm, September 2024 to June 2025)
https://www.belfastmet.ac.uk/course/p00371-aa/gcse-physics-ccea-evening/
GCSE Astronomy (Thursday evening 6pm to 8:30pm, September 2024 to June 2025)
https://www.belfastmet.ac.uk/course/p00700-aa/pearson-edexcel-gcse-in-astronomy/
9, ISS. The ISS continues its series of evening passes, until 25 May. See www.heavens_above.com for details
10. Recurrent Nova T Corona Borealis.
You may have read in some social media in early March that T CrB was due to explode again in the next week or two: I stuck my neck out, and said that we couldn't predict the next outburst with that degree of accuracy. That period has now passed, so I was right.
There have now been several more reports, saying much the same thing. The position remains the same - It could explode tomorrow – or not for another year or more! It's normally around magnitude 10, but at outburst it reaches mag 2.0 or 2.5.
The first outburst was discovered by Irish astronomer John Birmingham in Tuam, Co Galway, in May 1866. It erupted again in February 1946, indicating an approximate 80 year period. BUT you can't estimate a period from only 2 events! However, in the year before the 1946 outburst, it dimmed to magnitude 12.3, and this has happened again recently, suggesting a possible outburst is imminent. BUT, once again, you can't predict from a single event!
So it's certainly well worth keeping an eye on it - comparison charts can be found on the websites of the BAA Variable Star Section, or the AAVSO.
(BTW, don't confuse it with the other nearby famous variable star, R CrB, which does the opposite – it stays normally around 6th magnitude, but occasionally dims to as faint as magnitude 14 or 15!)
(And for comparison, the other not quite so well-known recurrent nova, RS Oph, was seen, or is thought to have, erupted 9 times since 1898 – with intervals of approximately 9, 26, 12, 13, 9, 18, 21 and 18 years; so its period is by no means constant.)
Anyway, do keep an eye out – T CrB lies just outside the East side of the circle of the 'Crown', but you really do need charts to observe it properly. It's rising in the NE as the twilight ends, about 25 degrees to the left of Arcturus.
11. NEW DIFFICULT TEASER
What's next in this sequence: 81, 770, 4200, …?
No correct answers yet, so I'll give a clue: It's astronomical rather than mathematical/
12. NEW EASY TEASER
What's next in this sequence: Mercury, Mars, Saturn, Jupiter….?
Clue: It's not something to do with the actual physical nature of the planets themselves.
Remember, only send answers to me at my aol address: terrymosel@aol.com.
13. 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:
Scientists prove that plunging regions exist around black holes in space (msn.com)
Giant structure found in deep space throws our understanding of the universe into doubt (msn.com)
COSMOLOGY:
Expansion Rate: The Hubble Tension | Watch (msn.com)
Giant structure found in deep space throws our understanding of the universe into doubt (msn.com)
EXOPLANETS
New Earth-sized planet discovered next to star that will outlive the Sun (msn.com)
The surface of this volcanic exoplanet is hotter than some stars | Space
SOLAR SYSTEM
Jupiter's elusive 5th moon caught crossing the Great Red Spot in new NASA images (msn.com)
SPACE
Blue Origin targeting May 19 for next crewed spaceflight | Space
Artemis 2 astronauts simulated a day in the life on their moon mission. Here's what they learned (exclusive) | Space
Helium leak delays Boeing's 1st Starliner astronaut launch to May 21 | Space
How SpaceX's private Polaris Dawn astronauts will attempt the 1st-ever 'all-civilian' spacewalk | Space
The $1,400,000,000 Dream Chaser plane that will take humans to space (msn.com)
SUN Sun launches strongest solar flare of current cycle in monster X8.7-class eruption | Live Science
TELESCOPES, EQUIPMENT & TECHNIQUES
https://www.ukri.org/news/uk-team-to-start-work-on-worlds-largest-telescope/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
FINAL WORD:
"The treasures hidden in the heavens are so rich that the human mind shall never be lacking in fresh nourishment." - Johannes Kepler
14. JOINING the IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION. This link gives options to join the IAA.
https://irishastro.org/join-the-iaa/ If you are a UK taxpayer, please select 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 http://www.irishastro.org/https://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