Galway Astronomy Festival Jan 30-31 2009

Rachel3478

Galway Astronomy club are pleased to announce details of their
forthcoming Astronomy Festival to be held at the 4* Westwood House
Hotel (www.westwoodhousehotel.com) from January 30 to 31st 2009. In
recognition of the Centre for Astronomy at NUI Galway taking centre
stage to co-ordinate the Irish activities of International Year of
Astronomy 2009 , we at GAC are organising our most comprehensive
AstroFest to date with no less than ten speakers. The talks are spread
over a wide range of Astronomical topics that will hopefully suit all
tastes. Getting to Here: Galway Airport (6 kilometres east of the
city) has scheduled services connecting Galway to the other major
airports in Ireland and with the new Motorway to Athlone, Galway is
only a 2 hr drive from Dublin. Hope to see you there.

Entry fee's remain same as last year. Any Queries, Feedback and
suggestions are most welcome and please email them to us at
galwayastronomyclub@gmail.com

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Provisional Timetable:

Friday January 30th 8pm Westwood House Hotel

8pm: Robert Hensey, Department of Archaeology, NUI Galway:
"5000 Years of Ritual Astronomy and Archaeology: Cosmology in
Prehistoric Ireland'

Robert Hensey is a PhD student at the Dept of Archaeology at NUI
Galway. His interests focus around Megalithic monuments of Neolithic
Ireland. The talk will focus on why archaeological monuments were
aligned at all? What was the motivation? The discussion will
necessarily involve a history of archaeoastronomy, a few famous sites,
where alignments and orientations were sometimes wrongly concluded,
and the often times fraught relationship between archaeology and
archaeoastronomy.www.irishmegaliths.org.uk/galway.htm

Observing afterwards weather permitting at Barna Golf Club, (Dark sky
site 5 minute drive from Hotel)
……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Saturday January 31st: Main Hall Westwood Hotel

9.30-10.15am: Registration

10.15: Official Welcome by GAC President

10.20: Professor Luke Drury "The New Gamma Ray Sky"

Head of the Astrophysics section of the School of Cosmic Physics at
the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.

A new observational window on the extreme non-thermal Universe has
recently been opened by the development of the atmospheric imaging
cherenkov technique. This allows astronomers do real astronomy at the
unprecedented photon energies around a TeV. The window of TeV
Gamma-Ray Astrophysics was opened less than two decades ago, when the
Crab Nebula was detected for the first time. After several years of
development, the technique used by imaging atmospheric Cherenkov
telescopes like HESS, MAGIC or VERITAS, is now allowing astronomers to
conduct sensitive observations in the TeV regime.

The talk will outline how this technique works, why it is significant
and show some highlights from the last few years of observations by
the HESS collaboration. He will also discuss the new Fermi Gamma-Ray
Space Telescope launched in June by NASA. It is designed to study
energetic phenomena from a variety of celestial sources and to
understand how particles are accelerated in pulsars, supernovae, and
active galaxies. He will also discuss prospects for the proposed large
European project, the Cherenkov Telescope Array which will be an
advanced facility for ground-based gamma-ray astronomy.
fermi.gsfc.nasa.gov www.mpi-hd.mpg.de/hfm/CTA/



11.05: Gregg Hallinan, Centre for Astronomy NUI Galway: "Looking for a
Pulse, the search for Radio Emissions from Extra Solar Planets"

For further info see astro.nuigalway.ie/ astro.nuigalway.ie/news.html#exoplindia

For a podcast www.nuigalway.ie/research/astronomy/documents/gregg_radio3.mp3

Gregg Hallinan is an Astrophysicist at the Centre of Astronomy at NUI
Galway. His research interests include Magnetic activity in Planets,
Brown dwarfs and Computational modelling of plasma emission processes.
He is presently involved in searching for Radio Emissions from Extra
Solar Planets. Recently in his research his team used all the 27
dishes of the Very Large Array (VLA) in New Mexico, the Arecibo dish
in Puerto Rico, the Green Bank dish in West Virginia, the Effelsberg
dish in Germany and the 10 dishes of the Very Long Baseline Array
(VLBA) spaced all over the USA simultaneously. Their target was the
giant Jupiter-like planet orbiting Tau Bootis, a star 50 light years
away in the constellation Bootes and visible to the naked eye. The
planet, Tau Bootis b should behave rather like Jupiter does and was
the first of the so-called 'hot Jupiters' to be detected, orbiting
every 3.3 days and whizzing by the stellar surface at an astonishing
0.05 Astronomical Units, nearly ten times closer than Mercury is to
our own Sun.

Detection of radio emission from Tau Bootis b would be the first such
detection from another planet orbiting another star in the galaxy.
This would allow us to ask many questions about the conditions
associated with this particular exoplanet, such as the rotation rate
of the planet and the strength of its magnetic field. More
importantly, it would open up a new way to explore planets using radio
astronomy, and considering that one of the key ingredients for a
planet to host an environment suitable for the development of life is
a stable magnetic field,

11.50: Patrick Browne Dept of Mathematical, NUI Galway: "Celestial Mechanics"

Patrick Browne is a PhD student in the School of Mathematics at NUI
Galway. He has a BSc in Mathematical physics and has interests in both
amateur astronomy and the mathematical models of observable
phenomenon.

His talk will show how basic mathematics along with Newton's Law's
gives us the laws that we have used for centuries to determine
planetary motion, and predict many stellar events (e.g. transits,
close approaches of planets, etc...). This talk should be of interest
to anyone especially to those with an interest in stellar maps focus
specifically on showing the following points.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celestial_mechanics

1 That the planets do indeed orbit in a plane

2 To show how some of Kepler's Laws are derived


3 That the planet's orbits follow elliptic paths


12.30 -2.00.: Lunch. Food served in bar


(1.00-1.35): Astronomy Workshop:

Frank Ryan Jnr "Digital Astrophotography- An Artistic Approach"

Frank is the current secretary of Shannonside Astronomy Club and is an
avid amateur astronomer and astrophotographer. He first became
interested in astronomy around the age of 10 during the time of the
first shuttle launches and this interest soon turned into a lifelong
obsession with all things astronomical. A graduate of the Limerick
College of Art & Design, Frank specialised in printmaking and fine
art. Three years ago he took up astrophotography and in that time a
lot of his images have been printed in astronomical and scientific
magazines. Frank recently had a full page image of his published in
Sky & Telescope.See his superb images @ www.frankryanjr.com/


2.00: Dr Andy Shearer, Centre for Astronomy, NUI Galway: "What we don't know"

Dr Andy Shearer is an astronomer from the Centre for Astronomy NUI,
Galway. His main research interest is in the area of pulsars and
particularly optical observations of pulsars and magnetars. He has
also worked on computational models of pulsar magnetospheres in an
attempt to understand how these end-points of a star's life work. His
other research interests include developing techniques to enhance
medical rays based upon astronomical processing techniques.

Most speakers concentrate, understandably, on what they have just
discovered that is what they now know. Yet the driving force behind
research is what we don't know. This talk will look at what don't know
in astronomy, but are likely to find out in the coming decade using
the next generation of astronomical telescopes including the James
Webb Space Telescope, Giant Magellan Telescope & the European
Extremely Large Telescope. The things we don't know include: When did
the first galaxies form? What is Dark Matter? What is Dark Energy and
does it exist? How many Earth like planets are there and is there life
on them? And finally to bring it back to his own research, to how do
pulsars work? www.jwst.nasa.gov www.gmto.org
www.eso.org/sci/facilities/eelt



2.50: Dr Tigran Khanzadyan Centre for Astronomy, NUI Galway:

"Looking at the Universe through Infrared Spectacles"

Dr Tigran Khanzadyan a native of Armenia and is currently a
Post-Doctoral Researcher in the Centre for Astronomy at the National
University of Ireland in Galway (NUIG). He graduated from with a
Diploma in Physics from Yerevan State University in 1997 and went on
to receive an MSc in Physics & a PhD in Astrophysics from Armagh
Observatory. His research involves massive star formation along with
molecular clouds and their environments and is currently involved in a
multi-wavelength study of the Cygnus molecular cloud region using many
world leading telescopes like Subaru, JCMT, UKIRT and others.
Previously he has worked at observatories including the Calar Alto
3.5m telescope, Spain, ESO - NTT at La Silla and the BAO 2.6m
telescope, Armenia.

His talk will look at the latest advances in the Infrared Universe
through the eyes of the Spitzer and other Infrared telescopes.
www.spitzer.caltech.edu en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared_astronomy


3.40- 4.00 Tea/coffee break/sale of raffle tickets

4.00: Dave Mc Donald "Celtic Rock - Hunting for Asteroids"

Dave McDonald of County Kildare regularly contributes asteroid data to
the Minor Planet Center and the JPL (Dawn Mission) from J65, Celbridge
Observatory. As well as running ad-hoc supernova searches and
producing light-curves for extra solar planets, Dave is keen to
promote science to youngsters in his role as a Science Ambassador for
Discover Science and Engineering. Dave recently discovered the second
asteroid from Ireland (2008 TM9) - the first was discovered from
County Sligo by Andrew Graham in 1848. So, as well as having an
asteroid named after himself (21782 Davemcdonald), he now has a
discovery which he can name himself



4.30 Professor Mark Sims, Space Research Centre. Leicester University
UK: "Is there or Was there Life on Mars"

The problem of whether there was Life or might still be Life on Mars
will be examined by reviewing what we know about Mars from the various
space missions and what the limits of carbon water based Life might
be. Future missions that may answer this question will be briefly
reviewed. The problems associated with answering the question will be
addressed.

Throughout his career Professor Mark Sims has worked on all steps in
the design, construction, test, flight and data analysis of space
instruments. Mark has been part of the team for eight space missions
including the Spacelab-1 STS-9 flight. Most recently he worked as
mission manager for Beagle 2, Europe's first planetary lander. He held
a Royal Society Industry Fellowship with EADS Astrium a key partner
for the European Space Agency's (ESA) major scientific programmes and
the company that designed and built Mars Express, the craft that
carried Beagle 2 to Mars and also lead the industrial team involved in
building Beagle 2. As Mission Manager for Beagle 2 Mark had
responsibility for the instrument procurement and interfaces along
with the Flight Operations planning and execution. Recently he was
appointed as chair of the UK Aurora Advisory Committee helping to
shape the European Space Agency's programme of space exploration and
define the case for UK participation in Aurora, taking account of UK
expertise, science priorities and technology developments . He is now
working on instrumentation for future Mars rover missions such as
NASA's planned Astrobiology Field Laboratory and ESA's ExoMars
mission.
www.beagle2.com/ mars.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ExoMars

6.00: Tour of NUI Galway Telescopic/Radio Observatory with Professor
Mike Redfern


8.00: Galway Astronomy Festival Banquet


8.45: Carl O' Beirnes "An Evening with the Sky at Night"

Carl O'Beirnes is from Balbriggan in Co Dublin and has been an amateur
astronomer for many. His passion is for is Astrophotography and uses
C14 telescope at his backyard observatory. His ambition is to venture
to Australia to see Southern Milky Way and Orion upside down.. While
his biggest achievement so far was being twice asked to participate in
the BBC Sky at night television programme with Sir Patrick Moore. See
Carl's images at www.webtreatz.com

Carl and his friend Dave Grennan a fellow Astrophotographer will be
telling us all about their trips to Selsey for the recording of the
popular TV series that has been running since 1957 and which is
non-controversial, goes out late and unlike any other regular
programme, has a faithful following. Sky at Night website is at
www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/skyatnight/


10.00-1am: Observing at Barna Golf Club (Hot refreshments Tea/coffee
etc available) or Astro Table Quiz


Ronan Newman galwayastronomyclub.blogspot.com


Monthly Meetings are held at the Claddagh Hall. (Free Parking!) next. Monday Nov 17th

Free talk part of Galway Science Week: Prof. Dick Butler, formerly of Dept of Chemistry, NUIG.

"Iapetus & the Black Stuff: Strange Moons of Saturn & Secrets of the Early Solar System"

Iapetus is the third-largest moon of Saturn, and eleventh in the solar system, discovered by Giovanni Domenico Cassini in 1671 and is named after the Titan Iapetus from Greek mythology. It is also designated Saturn VIII. Iapetus is best known for its dramatic 'two-tone' coloration, but recent discoveries by the Cassini mission have revealed several other unusual physical characteristics. The dark material is believed to have come from outside Iapetus, but now it consists principally of lag from the sublimation of ice from the warmer areas of Iapetus's surface. It contains organic compounds similar to the substances found in primitive meteorites or on the surfaces of comets. On September 10, 2007, the Cassini orbiter passed within 1,640 kilometres (1,000 miles) of Iapetus NASA scientists now believe that the dark material may be lag (residue) from the sublimation (evaporation) of water ice on the surface of Iapetus, possibly darkened further upon exposure to sunlight. Because of its slow rotation of 79 days (equal to its revolution and the longest in the Saturnian system), Iapetus likely had the warmest daytime surface temperature and coldest night time temperature in the Saturnian system.

Professor R.N Butler was Director of the Chemistry Department at NUI Galway. As well as teaching and administrative work, he carried out research in organic synthesis and mechanisms particularly with nitrogen, oxygen, sulphur and selenium systems. Originally from Cork, he received his B.Sc. from UCC in 1964 and his Ph.D. and D.Sc. from NUI Galway. In 1971 he became professor and lecturer in Galway at the Chemistry Dept. He has had over 200 papers published in refereed international journals & has previously been awarded the Boyle Higgins Gold medal from the Institute of Chemistry in Ireland in recognition of his outstanding work. He is a well-known speaker around Galway and has enlightened us on many occasions with his wonderful talks.

galwayrush

Excellent. :cool:

Steyr

Sounds fun.

DEmeant0r

Cool, what's the entry fee?

Rachel3478

Hi Just a reminder

Our festival is very well supported by Astronomy enthusiasts from all
over Ireland and NUI Galway, we would be delighted to see more locals
attend our festival as it is a fantastic opportunity for them to gain
insight into the wonderful world of Astronomy

"This year Galway City has been crowned the Astronomy Capital of
Ireland during Global celebrations for the UN sponsored International
Year of Astronomy 2009 ( IYA09) with its theme "Universe Yours to
Discover". Next weekend (30th and 31st of January) Galway Astronomy
Club hosts a Celestial Extravaganza at the Westwood House Hotel
showcasing the research being done at NUI Galway on all aspects of
this sophisticated & high-tech science

It will commence on Friday night at 7.30pm. Professor Mike Redfern of
NUI Galway, will launch the festival with an informative talk on the
events leading to the IYA09 to be followed by a talk by Robert Hensey
on "5000 years of Ritual Astronomy and Archaeology: Cosmology in
Prehistoric Ireland" Friday night talks are free


There will be workshops, information stands and for the first time in
Ireland an exhibition entitled "From Earth to the Universe", a
collection of astronomical images that represent the incredible
variety of astronomical objects that are known to exist. As a Bonus
attendees will get a chance to visit the "state of the art " NUI
Galway Observatory. Weather permitting some of Ireland's biggest
telescopes will be assembled for a special viewing session to be
organized several miles outside the city.

Saturday 9 talks: Entry Free to U16's,Students €15, waged €25 (€20 if you come with a brochure availible at the reception and around city) For more information on how
to attend the Galway Astronomy Festival go to
www.galwayastronomyclub.ie or phone 0868434003".

big b

Did you enjoy our very reasonable advertising rates? :cool: