From: TerryMoselaol.com
Date: 1 May 2006 11:12:44 BDT
Subject: Comet, ISS, New IAA Council, Lectures, Charity Observing event

Hi all,

1. DEATH OF A COMET: Comet 37P Schwassmann-Wachmann continues to break
up -some of the existing fragments are breaking up further! That makes
it difficult to predict the exact path of each fragment, so if you are
looking for either Fragment B or C on the basis of the ephemeris in my
previous email, or the map that was attached, allow some leeway! Also
note that the pieces may not be as bright as originally predicted. But
do have a look - it's a fascinating sight to see the 'death' of a
comet'!  Andy McCrea, immediate past president of the IAA, has a
really superb photo of the comet on the IAA website,
www.irishastronomicalassociation.com.
 Martin McKenna of Maghera has
reported seeing fragment C with the unaided eye at 00.30 on 28 April - a
world first n-e sighting! Well done Martin!

2. The ISS continues its series of evening passes over Ireland until
about 5 May. Details on www.heavens-above.com.

3. NEW IAA COUNCIL: Belated announcement of the new IAA Council, elected
at the AGM on 19 April - apologies! We thank Andy McCrea for 3 years of
sterling service, and welcome Pat O'Neill into the hot seat! Details:
President: Pat O'Neill. Vice Presidents: Philip Baxter, George Brannan
Secretary: Danny Collins Treasurer & Membership Secretary: John Hall
Members: Robert Campbell, Robert Cobain, David Collins,йRobert Hill,
Andy McCrea, Terry Moseley. Ex Officio: Prof Mark Bailey, Dr Tom Mason.
 We also thank Ken Doyle, Jacquie Milligan and Seamus Quinn who had to
stand down due to pressure of other commitments.

4. FITZGERALD AWARD: I'm delighted to announce, also belatedly
(apologies again!) that the IAA's "Aidan P. Fitzgerald Award" for
"Outstanding Service to the IAA" was presented to Robert Hill at the IAA
AGM. Robert is not only an amazing and incredibly enthusiastic presenter
and ambassador for Armagh Planetarium, but he has given unstinting and
unselfish service to the IAA through many lectures and other
presentations, help with various events and speakers, and particularly
his very popular 'star shows' in the portable planetarium at many many
of our public events. He has sometimes given 4 shows on the trot - after
a full days Planetarium work! Thanks Robert - it's very well deserved.

5. IAA MEMBER WINS ASTRONOMY NOW COMPETITION.    I only found out about
this last night! - Congrats to Albert Patton, IAA member from Belfast,
who won the Astronomy Now Competition for the best mnemonics for the
order of the planets in the Solar System. Albert's entry was "Most Voles
Eat Messily, Just Some Use Napkins Properly". He won a copy of the
amazing & beautiful new book from Dorling-Kindersley "Universe - The
Definitive Visual Guide". There was another Irish winner: Henry Keenan
from Monaghan, with "Moon Voyage Every Month, Just Sign Up Now Please".
  How about another one including Xena? - Or perhaps we should wait
until the name is officiallly announced....

 LECTURES: 6.  SAC Lecture, LIMERICKй. Wed. 3rd May 2006, 8:00 p.m.,
University of Limerick, John Holland Lecture Theatre, Room:  D105:  "The
Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn and Titan", by Caitriona Jackman.
Sponsors: Shannonside Astronomy Club, and  Dept. of Physics UL

7.  Public Lecture  Space Science in Europe , Friday 5 May 2006, 8.0
p.m. Rotunda Lecture Theatre, St. Patrick's Trian, Armagh. The Lecture
will be delivered by Professor David Southwood, Director of Science at
the European Space Agency. It is scheduled to end at 9.00 pm with
questions, followed by tea and coffee.    Abstract: 'Space Science in
Europe'. The last few years have brought back to public attention the
fact that Europeans are involved in space exploration. The results
returned from Mars and the successful landing on Titan are only part of
the story and much is still to come. The universe beyond our planet is
slowly being unveiled and space science has played and will continue to
play a primary part in this. Why should we all in Europe be involved?
One motive is basic, namely, to understand our Earth's part in the grand
scheme of things and how life (as represented by ourselves) came to
evolve. Is such inspiration the end of it or are there also more
down-to-Earth reasons for going into space?    If you wish to attend
this free event, please contact Mrs Aileen McKee as soon as possible, at
ambnarm.ac.uk

8. The Irish Astronomical Society in association with Chernobyl
Children's Project International invites you to come along to Sandymount
in Dublin, Martello Tower Car Park, May 5th and May 6th 2006. 9:00 pm
till 10:30pm ish.............. We will show you the first quarter moon,
the planet Saturn and maybe the planet Jupiter, all weather permitting
of course.    This event is free, but we would urge you to consider
donating to this charity in this the Twentieth year of the disaster to
help relieve the ongoing suffering of the victims.   You can see details
on www.irishastrosoc.org    
If you can not make it to Dublin perhaps you
would put something in the charity's bank account, just mark "Sun Moon
and Stars Fundraiser" somewhere on the lodgement slip or cheque. Name
of Bank: Permanent TSB, 1 Lapp's Quay, Cork, Ireland. Sort Code:
99-07-01. Account No  36410021. Chernobyl Children's Project
International
www.chernobyl-international.com

Clear Skies,

Terry Moseley.

Last Revised: 2006 May 2nd WWW contact:webmaster@arm.ac.uk

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