From: TerryMoselaol.com

Date: 6 October 2009 01:43:23 GMT+01:00

Subject: Meteorites talk, Lunar Impacts, Cassini Comp, BCO, Sir P.M., ISS, Astron course

Hi all,

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1. ˆàOct 07: IAA FREE PUBLIC LECTURE, BELFAST:ˆàTheˆànext lecture of the Irish Astronomical Association's new season will be given by Dr MikeˆàSimms of the Ulster Museum.ˆàIt is entitled "To Here From Eternity: The story of the Bovedy, Sprucefield and Crumlin Meteorites".ˆàMike is eminently qualified to talk on this topic, as he is the recognized expert on meteorites at the Ulster Museum. He is also currently President of the Belfast Geologists Society.ˆàWe have had several excellent lectures fromˆàMike before, and we are delighted to welcome him back again. It's on WEDNESDAYˆà7 OCTOBER, at 7.30 p.m., in the Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, Queen's University, Belfast. ADMISSION IS FREE, as always, and includes light refreshments. Everyone is welcome. Full details of the rest of the programme are on the website: www.irishastro.org

2.ˆà SEE LUNAR IMPACTS: On Friday morning, Oct. 9th, you can watch a pair of spacecraft crash into the Moon with your own eyes. The purposeful impacts are the climax of NASA's LCROSS mission to unearth signs of water in lunar soil.ˆàHere's how and where to look. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/05oct_lcrossvg.htm?list724598

3. CASSINI COMPETITION: Be a Cassini Scientist for a day! Contact l.f.thomasqmul.ac.uk for more details.

4. Blackrock Castle Observatory Events: For details of the latest forthcoming events at BCO, Cork, covering the period up to Xmas,ˆàsee: www.bco.ie

5. SIR PATRICK MOORE, FRS, AT THE ROYAL INSTITUTION. A special event has been organised to mark Sir Patrick Moore's 75 years membership of the British Astronomical Assopciation.ˆàIt will be held in the Faraday Lecture Theatre, Royal Institution, 21 Albemarle St, London W1, on Sat 21 November. The title is: "DEVELOPMENTS IN AMATEUR ASTRONOMY, PAST PRESENT AND FUTURE".

Organised by Dr John Mason MBE, (who gave a superb keynote lecture at the recent European Light Polluition Conference in Armagh), it will run from 10.00 to 17.00. Speakers include Sir Patrick himself along with Dr Peter Cattermole, well known lunar gelogy expert, on "The Craters of the Moon: From Pre-Apollo to Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter". Others include manyˆàwell-known professional and amateur astronomers. The full programme can be found on the BAA website: www.britastro.org, or email officebritastro.org. The cost is a mere ˆã10 for BAA member or ˆã15 for non-members, including tea & coffee.

Further details & booking formˆàfrom: Jean Felles, Office Manager, The British Astronomical Association, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0DU,ˆà Tel: 020 7734 4145, Fax: 020 7439 4629, E-mail: officebritastro.org, Website: www.britastro.org

6. ISS MORNING PASSES: The International Space Station will start another series of morning passesˆàon 12/13 October. You can generate predictions for your location via www.heavens-above.com

7.ˆàSTARGAZING FOR PLEASURE. In Association with the Bangor Spectatorˆà

Bangor, Hamilton House

Tuesday evenings 7pm to 9pm

November to December 2009

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A series of eight illustrated evening lectures and practical demonstrations all aimed at beginners or those with a background interest. The lectures will cover;

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1.ˆàˆàˆàˆàˆàˆà The Night Sky Constellations òÀÓ an introduction to the night sky and the basic principles òÀÓ how to find your way around the night sky!

2.ˆàˆàˆàˆàˆàˆà The History of Astronomy òÀÓ how did our understanding of the universe and our place in it develop from Plato to Copernicus?

3.ˆàˆàˆàˆàˆàˆà Our Nearest Star, the Sun òÀÓ all our light and heat comes from our star, the Sun!

4.ˆàˆàˆàˆàˆàˆà Planets of our Solar System òÀÓ a romp through the planets, moons and dwarf planets of our SunòÀÙs family

5.ˆàˆàˆàˆàˆàˆà Meteors, Comets and Asteroids òÀÓ a look at the òÀØleft oversòÀÙ from the solar systemòÀÙs creation

6.ˆàˆàˆàˆàˆàˆà The Milky Way and other Galaxies òÀÓ our star city and its relationship to the others

7.ˆàˆàˆàˆàˆàˆà Cosmology and the Universe òÀÓ latest thinking on our place in the universe

8.ˆàˆàˆàˆàˆàˆà Telescopes and Binoculars òÀÓ will cover the purchase and setting up of astronomical equipment.

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The series will be conducted by well known local amateur astronomer and monthly òÀØHeavens AboveòÀÙ columnist with the Bangor Spectator, Dr Andy McCrea, past President of the Irish Astronomical Association. ˆàEach evening session will be in two halves with a short break at 7.45. There will be an introduction with a description of what is visible in the night sky and there will be observing through telescopes and binoculars if weather conditions permit.

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Special introductory cost for the complete series will be ˆã90 per person

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If you would be interested in attending this lecture series, please contact 91 273584 after 6 pm as soon as possible. Once numbers have been established, bookings andˆà commencement dates will be confirmed.

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Clear skies,

ˆà

Terry Moseley