Upcoming Events

Hi there,

The Galway astronomy club are having an observing session (Perseid meteor watch) tomorrow night 10th Aug at 11pm at the rear car park at Barna Golf Club, Galway.
we were to hold a Perseid watch on Saturday night but due to the poor weather forecast this has been moved to Friday.

All welcome.

The next Midlands Astronomy Club (MAC) public lecture takes place in the Presbyterian Hall, High Street, Tullamore, as follows:

Date & Time: Tuesday September 4th @ 8pm.
Speaker/Topic: Mr. Terry Moseley, IAA
Title: E.T. Where Are You?
Admission: €2.00, all are welcome.

Terry makes a well-looked after return to our neck of the woods to present this lecture! The latest club magazine (Réalta) and September's SkyMaps will also be available on the night. See www.midlandsastronomy.com for more details.

Clear Skies,

Seanie Morris,
MAC Secretary.

Hello All,

Just a note to say that our first Sandymount evening will be held on Friday 21st at 8PM. Details of the location are on the IAS website. If you have a telescope please feel free to bring it along.

As this event is weather dependent, please check back on the site after 6PM on Friday to check that the event is going ahead.

Michael.

Hi,

The historic observatory buildings and telescope in Dunsink (Dublin) will be open to the public tonight for Culture Night. There's also a series of astronomy talks.

All details here.

The next Midlands Astronomy Club (MAC) public lecture takes place in the Presbyterian Hall, High Street, Tullamore, as follows:

Date & Time: Tuesday October 2nd @ 8pm.
Speaker/Topic: Mr. Laurence Rigney, MAC
Title: 'And yet it moves': The role of Science in Astronomy
Admission: €2.00, all are welcome.

Laurence is a relatively new member to the club. he is a teacher of physics by day, so Astronomy would naturally fit in with his life (or so we tell him)! The latest club magazine (Réalta) and October's SkyMaps will also be available on the night. See www.midlandsastronomy.com for more details.

Clear Skies,

Seanie Morris.

Hi all,

Hope you have been well.

The next IAS/SDAS meeting will be on Monday, November 5th at 8pm in Gonzaga College, Ranelagh. The topic will be “What makes a comet Great?” and the speaker is John Flannery. All are welcome and admission is free.

An additional talk this month will be given on November 29th by Professor George Miley, a past-pupil of Gonzaga, and former Director of Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands. More details can be found below and we hope you can make it along to this special lecture which will be held in the main Theatre within Gonzaga College.

Talk soon,

John


Thursday, November 29th – “Observing the Universe” lecture in Gonzaga College, Ranelagh
Professor George K Miley, former Director of Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands, and currently Chair of the International Astronomical Union’s Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), will give a public lecture on Thursday, November 29th at 8pm in Gonzaga College, Ranelagh, Dublin.

We hope you can make it along to this very special lecture by Professor Miley who is a past-pupil of Gonzaga College and a pioneer in the field of Radio Astronomy. He was recently named a Knight of the Order of the Dutch Lion, the Netherlands’ highest public distinction, and has received numerous other awards.


Thursday, November 1st – “The Reality of Science Fiction” panel discussion @ Science Gallery Join writer Michael Carroll (2000AD, Judge Dredd), DCU's Pat Brereton (Hollywood Utopia, Smart Cinema), and Head of Zoology at TCD, Nicola Marples to find out how important scientific accuracy is in science fiction, and how much of an impact science fiction can have on scientific research, public opinion, and even funding decisions. Admission is FREE and you can register at sciencegallery.com/events


Monday, November 5th -- IAS/SDAS lecture “What makes a comet Great?” Comets PANSTARRS and ISON are expected to be brilliant objects in our skies during 2013. But will they perform as expected or turn out to be a disappointment? “What makes a comet Great?” is a talk by John Flannery that will explore the history of comets through the ages, their origins, and the characteristics that leads some comets to be deserving of the title “Great”. Venue is Gonzaga College, Ranelagh at 8pm and admission is FREE.


November 11th to 18th – Science Week 2012 Hundreds of events are listed that will be happening countrywide for Science Week 2012 which this year has the theme “Everyday Experimenting”. Read more at scienceweek.ie


Monday, November 12th – Astronomy Ireland lecture
Dr Nicholas Walton of Cambridge University will deliver Astronomy Ireland's November Public Lecture in Trinity College Dublin on November 12th at 8pm. The topic will be “Gaia: Mapping the Milky Way” and more details are at www.astronomy.ie/lecture201211.php


Tuesday, November 13th – The Alchemist Cafe, Dublin
The Mercantile, Dame St, Dublin is the venue for this month’s Cafe which will feature a panel of experts discussing the human brain. More details at www.alchemistcafedublin.com/


Wednesday, November 14th – Royal Irish Academy lunchtime series lecture
“Scientific Collections in the Edward Worth Library” is the title of a lecture to be given by Elizabethanne Boran, Librarian, The Edward Worth Library, from 1-2pm on November 14th at Academy House, Dawson Street. More details at www.ria.ie/Events/Events-Listing/Autumn-...ime-lecture-series--(3).aspx


Wednesday, November 14th (and Friday, November 16th) – Mars Science Laboratory talks
The Planetary Society, in association with the School of Physics NUI Galway, Galway Astronomy Club and CIT/Blackrock Castle Observatory, Cork will present a public lecture, in both Galway and Cork, during Science Week 2012 titled “The Mars Science Laboratory ‘Curiosity’ – In Search of Origins”.

The talk will describe how the mission is currently proceeding, show the latest images, outline the geography of Mars for those attending to become more familiar with the planet itself and invite discussion from the audience on topical matters of space exploration and its value to society.

• Galway Talk: 8.00pm, Wednesday 14th November 2012, O'Tnuathail Theatre, NUI Galway
• Cork Talk: 8.00pm, Friday 16th November 2012, Blackrock Castle Observatory, Blackrock, Cork

Admission is FREE and places allocated on a first come first served basis - simply turn up on the night! The talk is suitable for the general public and expert alike, and for children of about eight years and older. The presenter is Kevin Nolan, Coordinator to Ireland for The Planetary Society and author of the book “Mars, A Cosmic Stepping Stone”. Contact Kevin Nolan at info@planetary.ie This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or on 087-238-6141 for media relate matters. Full details on the lectures, including media and lecture based downloadable resources available at: www.planetary.ie


Wednesday, November 14th – “Hunting the Higgs Boson” lecture in NUI, Maynooth
NUI Maynooth are hosting a wide range of evening lectures during Science Week 2012. An especially topical talk on the Higgs Boson will be given by Dr Stephen Haywood of CERN at 7:30pm on Wednesday, November 14th in the Hume Building (room LT2) on the University Campus. More details at sciencefaculty.nuim.ie/scienceweek2012.shtml


Saturday, November 17th – Irish Meteorological Society One Day Conference
“Weather and Health” is the subject of this year’s IMS One-Day Conference which will be held on Saturday, November 17th in the wonderful venue of the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin. More details can be found at www.irishmetsociety.org/latest/iop-ims-conference-17-november


Monday, November 19th – Lecture by Professor Martin Rees
The DIAS School of Theoretical Physics Statutory Public Lecture 2012 in association with the School of Cosmic Physics will be given this year by Professor Martin Rees on Monday, November 19th at 6pm in Theatre L, Newman Building, Arts Block, UCD. The title of the lecture is “Cosmic perspectives: from planets to the multiverse” and admission is FREE. More details can be found at www.dias.ie/index.php?option=com_content...emid=103&lang=en


Tuesday, November 20th – “Exploring the Nano-flatlands” lecture in the RDS
Professor Valeria Nicolosi, ERC Research Professor at the School of Physics and the School of Chemistry in TCD and Principal Investigator at CRANN, TCD, will present this public lecture on “Exploring the Nano-flatlands: New frontiers opened by the world’s thinnest materials” on 20 November at 7pm. Admission is FREE but you need to book at events.rds.ie/?eventID=18794


Tuesday, November 20th – EPA lecture series “From a Distance: Observing Earth from Space”
In November, the Environmental Protection Agency is hosting another Climate Change lecture in its popular series. These lectures are aimed at providing updates on the science of climate change, as well as the policy and political responses to this global challenge. The speakers are top international experts and practitioners in aspects of climate change. The lecture will be chaired by Dr John Bowman. The venue is The Round Room at the Mansion House, Dawson St., Dublin at 6:30pm. Admission is FREE but you need to book via the details page linked to at www.epa.ie/news/events/


Thursday, November 22nd – Robinson Lecture “To Mars, Titan, and beyond!” in Armagh
From Terry Moseley: The eleventh Robinson Lecture will be held on Thursday, November 22nd in The Armagh City Hotel, 2 Friary Road, Armagh. The title is “To Mars, Titan and the Universe Beyond! Europe's Arrival on the Space Frontier” and will be delivered by Professor David Southwood, Imperial College London. Professor Southwood has recently retired from the position of Director of Science and Robotic Exploration at the European Space Agency and is now President of the Royal Astronomical Society. The lecture will begin at 8pm and is scheduled to end at 9pm, followed by light refreshments. Attendance at the Robinson Lecture is FREE but if you would like to attend, please contact the Armagh Observatory to obtain tickets. Please write, telephone, or send an e-mail to: Mrs Aileen McKee, Armagh Observatory, College Hill, Armagh, BT61 9DG; Tel: 028-3752-2928; Fax: 028-3752-7174; e-mail: ambn@arm.ac.uk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


Wednesday, November 28th – “How Did We Get Here?” lecture in the RDS
Sandra Delamer will give a talk on The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) at 6pm in the RDS on Wednesday, November 28th. The JWST is the successor to the Hubble and will look beyond where Hubble can see, for a glimpse of the first light sources in the early universe and the formation of the first stars. The talk, aimed at a general audience, will look at the broad goals of the JWST mission and how it follows on from Hubble, and the excitement and challenges of working with a science and engineering team of many different disciplines to bring one part of the telescope from design, through build and test, to delivery. Admission is FREE but you need to book at www.rds.ie/cat_event_detail.jsp?itemID=1099908


Wednesday, November 28th – Irish Geological Association lecture at the GSI, Dublin
“Tectono-Magmatic Evolution of the Antarctic Peninsula” is the title of a talk to be given by Conor Ryan (Tullow Oil) to the IGA on Wednesday, November 28th at 7pm in the Geological Survey of Ireland building in Beggars Bush, Dublin. More details about the Association’s program can be found at www.geology.ie/2012/07/programme-octobe-december-2012/ -- there’s a very intriguing field trip being organised on December 1st to go gold panning.

Name of Club: Galway Astronomy Club
Type of Event: Club meetings
Date: November 5th 2012
Location and Directions: Westwood House Hotel, N59 Road, Galway City
Admission Fee: €2 (Members) €3.50 non membrs

Brief synopsis:

For our November lecture we welcome Dr Ian Elliott, a leading Irish scientist now retired from the staff of Dunsink Observatory, Has a long standing interest in the influence of solar activity on the Earth's climate and written many articles on the history of astronomy in Ireland. His chosen talk is entitled "Solar activity and our climate - cold winters ahead!" Solar physicists have recently announced a prediction that the Sun might enter an extended period of low activity (a ‘grand minimum’) similar to the Maunder Minimum in the 17th century. In this talk Ian will explore the background of this prediction and discuss implications for Earth’s climate.


We also hold hold free Practical Astronomy Workshops at Room 220 in the Physics Dept, NUI Galway, both meetings and practical workshops are very informative and usually very well attended, hope to see you there. Ronan Newman





Website Link if available: www.galwayastronomy.ie

hi all,

Professor George K Miley, former Director of Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands, and currently Chair of the International Astronomical Union’s Office of Astronomy for Development (OAD), will give a public lecture on Thursday, November 29th at 7:30pm in Gonzaga College, Ranelagh, Dublin.

The talk is titled "A Gonzaga Boy's Adventure in the Wonderful Solar System" and will be held in the Main Theatre of the College. All are welcome and admission is FREE.

We hope you can make it along to this very special lecture by Professor Miley who is a past-pupil of Gonzaga College and a pioneer in the field of Radio Astronomy. He was recently named a Knight of the Order of the Dutch Lion, the Netherlands’ highest public distinction, and has received numerous other awards.

Following Prof Miley's talk, Daniel Lynch and some students will present results of their expedition to observe and video the recenttotal solar eclipse that passed over Cairns, Australia.

See you there!

john

many thanks to Paul Nugent of the IoP for the following information ...

The School of Mathematics cordially invites you to the Eleventh JL Synge Public Lecture entitled "From Here To Infinity: Gravity and the Cosmos" to be given by Professor Lord Martin J. Rees of the University of Cambridge.

The lecture will be given in the MacNeill Lecture Theatre 3, Hamilton Building, Trinity College Dublin on Friday, 7 December, 2012, at 8.00 p.m. There will be a wine reception afterwards in the O'Reilly Building.

The next Midlands Astronomy Club (MAC) public lecture takes place in the Presbyterian Hall, High Street, Tullamore, as follows:

Date & Time: Tuesday January 8th @ 8pm.
Speaker/Topic: MAC Members
Title: 'Telescope Night for Beginners'
Admission: €2.00, all are welcome.

The latest club magazine (Réalta) and January's SkyMaps will also be available on the night. We also plan to have copies of our 2013 Calendar on sale that night (€5 each, full colour high quality print). See www.midlandsastronomy.com for more details.

Clear Skies,

Seanie Morris.

The greatest scientific undertakings and events of Mankind have long been solely associated with some of the world’s greatest nations and organisations but the minds behind some of these achievements can be found in some of the most unlikely places. The theme for this one day Celestial extravaganza is “Ireland: The Final Frontier” with an emphasis is on Irish Academic and Amateur astronomers who are involved in cutting edge scientific research. Academic speakers like Andy Shearer involved with the Kepler mission and its search for habitable planets around other stars, Astrophysicist; Tom Ray on Making Stars and Planets and from UCD, Lorraine O’Hanlon with a FREE PUBLIC Talk on the Global Robotic Telescopes Intelligent Array (GLORIA) at 4pm, a network of small telescopes for research looking for Exoplanets among other things. Maybe there are opportunities for amateur astronomers in Ireland to join this network and produce amazing results.

Amateur astronomers include Irish Supernova hunter Dave Grennan and his quest for these stellar explosions, Dave Gradwell owner of one of Irelands most unique Solar observatories, Ronan Newman, one of the our most prolific Aurora hunters on how to catch the elusive Irish Aurora and from Dublin John Flannery who is so excellently versed in the history of astronomy, will provide the community with an answer to the question of what makes a “Great Comet” by preparing us for Comet Pan-stars in March and Comet ISON in November. Finally Sir Patrick Moore will not be forgotten, from Belfast; Terry Moseley knows some untold stories of Sir Patrick which he will tell us after dinner. There is no doubt that his talk will make the most famous amateur of recent times come alive.

There will also be observing on two nights, information stands and as Bonus attendees will get a chance to visit the “state of the art” NUI Galway Observatory. For details of the Festival (including accommodation) see the GAC homepage at www.galwayastronomyclub.ie or phone 0868434003. We look forward to seeing you, hopefully under clear skies

Launch by Professor Michael Redfern

(Morning Session)

Dave Grennan: “Hunting Extra-Galactic Supernovae from Ireland”
www.webtreatz.com

Tom Ray: (Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies) “Making Stars and Planets: The First Three Billion Years”John Flannery: (South Dublin AS) “What makes a Great Comet?”

Dave Gradwell: “OSCAR: A Unique Irish Solar Observatory”
www.davegradwell.com

---

Ronan Newman: (Galway Astronomy Club) Optional Lunchtime Workshop: “Celestial Light: Catching the elusive Aurora Borealis from Ireland” www.facebook.com/CelestialLightIrishAuroraHuntersHomepage

---

(Afternoon Session)

Dr. Andrew Shearer (President of the Centre for Astronomy, NUI Galway) "Kepler: The Search for Habitable Planets"Prof.

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

Professor Lorraine O’Hanlon (UCD): "The Gloria Project: The Future of Virtual E-science Telescopes” gloria-project.eu/en/

---

(Evening Session)


Patrick Moore themed Banquet and Exhibition

Short film on lighter side of Patrick Moore

Terry Moseley (IAA): Untold Stories of Sir Patrick Moore FRA

Your correct, the Westwood House Hotel, February 2nd, starting at 09.45.

Entry is 20 euro, but if you arrive at 4pm the final talk is Free

Thanks

See details at www.galwayastronomyclub.ie

hi all,

Author and Planetary Society coordinator for Ireland, Kevin Nolan, will give the next IAS/SDAS talk on Monday, February 4th at 8pm in Gonzaga College, Ranelagh, Dublin.

Kevin's talk is titled "Mars Science Laboratory: In Search of Origins".

All are welcome and admission is FREE.

Hope to see you there,

John

COSMOS 2013 - April 12th to 14th


This Spring, the 21st annual COSMOS Star Party will once again take place in the rural and secluded surroundings of Annaharvey Equestrian Farm, Tullamore in County Offaly. This location affords MAC many advantages, such as being 3 miles from Tullamore on the Portarlington Road, and thus away from most of the light pollution, private surroundings, secure location, and overall a great and relaxed atmosphere.

Our Guest Speakers This Year:



Prof. Ian Morison, Emeritus Gresham Professor of Astronomy, Fellow of Gresham College and Honorary Professor Jodrell Bank Observatory.
"Black Holes - no need to be afraid!"



Sara Beck of the American Association of Variable Star Observers from Boston, USA.
"Variable Stars: Fun and Science"


Simon Jeffrey, Reseach Astronomer at Armagh Observatory.

Declan Molloy, Midlands Astronomy Club.

Simon Todd, renowned Irish astrophotographer.
"Digital Astrophotography Tips and Tricks"


Dave McDonald, IFAS Chairperson and renowned asteroid hunter.

Albert White, South Dublin AS and ILPAC
"Searching for Earth-sized planets with NASA's Kepler space telescope."


About the Cosmos Star Party

The talks are interspersed with tea breaks and lunches, and throughout the weekend you can avail of:
• Displays & Exhibits from individuals and clubs
• Guided Astro Trek on the farm
• Astrohophotography
• Astro Buy & Sell
• Spot prizes & raffles
• Cosmic Dinner
• Observing Sessions
• Good fun and relaxation




Admissions Pricing

COSMOS 2013 is NOT a ticket event, so do not worry about booking a place. The prices for this years event are as follows: Note: Regular = Adult and 3rd Level Student, Concession = secondary school students, and Retired/OAP. Children under 12 are gladly welcomed for free as long as they are accompanied with an adult. All admissions include complimentary tea/coffee breaks, but exclude lunches and dinner. The lunch and dinner prices will be added here soon.

How To Get Here

All roads lead to Tullamore:
M6/M4 East
M6 West
N52 South
N52 North
N54/55 North
M4 West
M7 West
M8/N8 South
N80 South

A26
M1/A1
A25
Dublin-Maynooth-Kinnegad-Tullamore
Galway-Loughrea-Ballinasloe-Athlone-Tullamore
Nenagh-Birr-Tullamore
Dundalk-Kells-Mullingar-Tullamore
Monoghan-Cavan (N55)-Granard-Mullingar-Tullamore
Sligo-Boyle-Longford-Mullingar-Tullamore
(N52 South)
Cork-Mitchelstown-Cashel-Abbeyleix-Portlaoise (M80 on to the N80)
Wexford-Carlow-Portlaoise-Tullamore

Colerain-Ballymena-Belfast (M1)
Belfast-Newry-Dundalk (N52 North)
Derry-Strabane-Omagh-Monoghan (N54/55 North)



Directions From Tullamore

From Tullamore, take the R420 to Portarlington. Continue for 3 miles and on the left will be Annaharvey Equestrian Farm. Signs will be erected on the soft shoulder from both directions approaching Annaharvey Farm. Give plenty of notice to the driver(s) behind you that you will be turning!

Accommodation

It is highly recommended that you book your accommodation if travelling from afar as soon as possible. There are many B&B's in the town and surrounding areas - you can view the accommodation list here. Please Note: accommodation in Annaharvey itself is fully booked out!

Annaharvey Farm

Click to find out more information about Annaharvey Farm (www.annaharveyfarm.ie)

<<To see what Cosmos 2012 was all about, click here>>

Any Questions?