From: TerryMoselaol.com

Date: 4 February 2015 16:55:08 GMT

Subject: Lecture tonight, TV, Jupiter & Venus, ISS, Science Events, Galway SP, IFAS AofY

Hi all,

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1:ˆàIAA LECTURE: Next IAA public lecture: TONIGHT,ˆàFeb 04, 7.30 p.m. by Tom O'Donoghue

"Astrophotography: From Single Pane to Mega-mosaic". This will look at medium focal length Deep Sky Astrophotography.

ˆàˆà Tom O'Donoghue, from Dublin,ˆàtakes some of the best deep sky astrophotos you will ever see taken by any amateur astronomer. Visitors to any of the recent Irish Star Parties will have seen the amazing quality of his images.ˆàHe is totally dedicated, indeed obsessed, to get the best quality images possible! Frustrated by the sky conditions in Ireland, he started travelling first to Southern France, and then Spain, to get the best possible conditions.

ˆàˆà As well as taking the superb shots you can see on his website www.astrophotography.ie he is now working on a 'mega-mosaic' of the whole Orion constellation and all its associated nebulosity, of which the best known are of course the Orion Nebula itself (M42), the 'Running Man Nebula', and the Horsehead Nebula. But there's much more!

ˆàˆà In this talk he will describe how he acquired his skills and his equipment, how he takes and processes the images, and describeˆàhis Orion Mega-Mosaic."

ˆàˆà Tom will have some of his smaller size, but sameˆàhigh quality, prints available for sale at ˆã15 each.

ˆàˆàˆà The lectureˆàis free and open to all, including free refreshments.ˆàVenue: Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, Queen's University, Belfast, at 7.30 p.m.ˆàˆà

ˆàˆà Thanks to the Astrophysics Research Centre, QUB, for help in hosting these lectures.

N.B:ˆàOur last lecture on Wednesdayˆà21 January,ˆàbyˆàwell-knownˆàQUB astronomer, Professor Alan Fitzsimmons, "Rosetta at comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko", was probablyˆàour best-attended 'normal' lecture ever, with about 130 people present: almost every seat was taken!. All thoroughly enjoyed an amazing and veryˆàentertaining presentation - thanks Alan.

ˆàˆàˆàˆà

2.ˆàDocumentary on Newgrange tonight:

3. Jupiter at opposition, Feb 6, Venus rising.ˆà Jupiter will beˆàat opposition on Feb 6, appearing atˆàits biggest and brightest for the yearˆàmag -2.6, diam = 45.3" (arcsecs)

MUTUAL SATELLITE EVENT: Feb 7ˆàIo will beˆàeclipsed by theˆàshadow of Europa: 22.05 - 22.13, Mag drop 0.7. And again on Feb 14-15, 00.20 - 00.27. Mag drop 0.8.ˆà

Venus isˆànow very prominent in theˆàSW evening twilight, and getting higher in the sky at any given level of twilight.

ˆà Watch it close in on much fainter Mars over the new few weeks, leading to a very close conjunction on Feb 21 & 22, and they will also be joined by a lovely thin crescent Moon.

ˆà On Febˆà5 Venus will lie 7.5 degrees below and right of ruddy Mars: watch that separation shrink to less than half a degree on the 21st & 22nd.

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4. ISS The ISSˆàwill commence a newˆàseries of evening passes over Ireland on February 7. Full details for your own location, along with lots of other up to date astronomical information, on the excellent FREE site www.heavens-above.com.ˆàAlso try the ISS Spotter by Mediapilot https://appsto.re/gb/os8mF.iˆà

ˆàˆà When it's making daytime passes over Ireland, youˆàcanˆàsee Ireland live from downloaded images fromˆàthe ISS

ˆà.ˆà

Tonight, at 9.30pm, TG4 will be showing a documentary exploring some theories about Newgrange and comets etc., including interviews with Mike Baillie, David Asher, Dave Brown and IAA memberˆàPatrick McCaffertyˆàetc. English subtitles available.

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5. Major Science Event, 23 February (+ 24th in Dublin): Booking Openˆà Another major science eventˆàasˆàpart ofˆàthe 'OriginsˆàProject"ˆàwill be taking place onˆàthe 23rd of February at UU Jordanstown. Seeˆàhttp://youtu.be/2uvQoiPjF6s

ˆàBooking for the Belfast event at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1525789667672746/ˆàand

ˆàhttp://www.outersurface.com/product/origins-project-dialogue-belfast/

"Outer Surface, The Origins Project", facilitates the creation of new knowledge by asking fundamental questions to better grasp our era's greatest challenges.ˆàˆà

ˆàˆà Richard Dawkins and Lawrence Krauss, two internationally famous scientists, will talk about "Life & The Universe" in Belfast on Feb 23 and in Dublin on Feb 24ˆà

Tickets are ˆã35 each.ˆàDetails of Belfast event are on Belfast event pageˆàhttps://www.facebook.com/events/1525789667672746/

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6. Comet Lovejoy very close to Gamma Andromedae:ˆàTerry Lovejoy'sˆà5th comet,ˆàofficial name C/2014 Q2,ˆàis nowˆàhigh up in theˆàNorthern skyˆàand after reaching naked-eye visibility, will soon start to fade as it moves away from both Earth and Sun. Currently it shines at betweenˆà4th and 5th magnitude,ˆàjust visible toˆàunaided eyes in a dark sky, but relatively easy in binoculars. It's currently passing through Andromeda, and tonight will pass within a binocular field of 2nd mag Gamma And.

ˆàˆàIAA members have got some lovely photos of it - see the website: www.irishastro.org.ˆà

ˆàSee http://www.opednews.com/Generic/Astronomy_Dec_25_2014ˆàand

http://www.universetoday.com/117412/comet-q2-lovejoy-set-to-ring-in-the-new-year-reader-images-and-more/ˆà

ˆàPositions and finder chartsˆàfor the comet on a daily basis are on the excellent free site www.heavens-above.comˆà

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7. New free online astronomy course via the Planetary Society

The planetary society are starting an online course introducing people to astronomy and planetary science. It's free and thought members might want to know about it. It starts today but all the lectures are archived and can be watched at a later date. Thanks to Kris Ballance for info.

http://www.planetary.org/blogs/bruce-betts/2015/20150204-take-my-free-online-course.html

http://www.planetary.org/multimedia/video/bettsclass/

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8. SKY AT NIGHT BROADCAST:ˆàˆàSunday 8th February at 22:00 on BBC4. They will be asking: What Have UFOs Done for Us? http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b052hpydˆà(A: sold lots of books,ˆàDVDs, ˆàcinema tickets, generated lots of websites, and lately, via the Web, proved just how gullible lots of people are!)

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9.ˆàˆàIAA Observing Nights at Delamont Country Park

These very popular weekendˆàobserving sessionsˆàhave recommenced,ˆàwith the nights ofˆàFeb 13 & 14ˆàasˆànext option. Delamont is well signposted off the A22 just South of Killyleagh, (North of Downpatrick)ˆàCo Down. They are suitable for anyone, but are aimed especially at beginners. We bring our own large telescopes; bring your own if you have a portable one. The eventsˆàwork like this: If it's clear on the Friday night, the event goes ahead. If not, we try again on the Saturday night. If both are cloudy, we try again on the following weekend, same procedure. To check if it's going ahead, check the IAA website: www.irishastro.org up to 6.0 p.m.ˆàon each day, and forˆàdates forˆànext session:ˆàIf cloudy, we'll try again on the next date on the list.òÀæ

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10. IFAS Astronomer of the Year:

The nominations came in for the coveted IFAS Astronomer of the Year 2014 accolade, with this year's winner rewarded to the person for helping create an astronomy event in the Northern Hemisphere's ONLY Gold Standard Dark Sky Reserve - Kerry.

The IFAS Astronomer of the Year 2014 is Roy Stewart!

Well done Roy, this is richly deserved recognition from your peers of your commitment to Irish Astronomy over the years.

Other nominations included:

Terry Moseley

Mike Foylan

Seanie Morris

John Flannery

NB: a big vote of thanks are also due to Julie Ormonde who did sterling work in getting the Kerry Gold Standard Dark Sky Reserve! T. M.

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11. Galway Astrofest: Feb 21, 2015: Cdr Chris Hadfield will launch this event - by videolink!ˆàˆà

òÀâ

Theme: "New Worlds - New Horizons"ˆà

òÀâ

Dark sky observing, Friday evening, BrigitòÀÙs Garden (if clear)ˆà

òÀâ

Excellent speaker line-up, includingˆà

òÀâ

Professor Michael Perryman (UCD) will talk about the GAIA mission,ˆà

òÀâ

Professor Susan McKenna Lawlor (NUIM) will look at the Rosetta Comet mission for which her team built an instrument for the Philae lander.ˆàSee http://www.galwayastronomyclub.ie/index.php/archiveˆàˆà

òÀâ

Damian Peach: superb planetary photographerˆà

òÀâ

Dr Chris Watson, QUB, on Exoplanetsˆà

òÀâ

Eclipse chaser Daniel Lynchˆà

òÀâ

Nick Howes, Kielder Observatory, observer and science writerˆà

òÀâ

Dave Grennan, discoverer of 2 asteroids and 3 supernovae òÀÓ from Dublin!ˆà

òÀâ

Brian McGabhann, Galway: Building an Observatoryˆà

òÀâ

+ good craic, dark sky observing, trade and book stands, raffle, moreˆà

òÀâ

Venue: Westwood Hotel, Galwayˆà

òÀâ

Details http://www.galwayastronomyclub.ieˆàˆà

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òÀâ

12. IAA / QUB Solar day, 28 February

IAA in conjunction with QUB. Free.ˆà

òÀâ

11.30 òÀÓ 16.00, in front of main buildingˆà

òÀâ

Solar Observing, visual, H-alpha, Calciumˆà

òÀâ

Live links to Solar satellites such as SOHO Talks in the Council Chamber in the main building.

òÀâ

ˆàAll members with solartelescopes, or a projection system, please bring them.ˆà

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13. Safe Solar viewingˆàmaterial available: Baader safe viewing foil nowˆàin stock ... just in time for the big eclipse! ˆã19 for an A4 sheet delivered. Contact Dr Andy McCrea at >s.mccrea980btinternet.com

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14. IAA Event at Bangor, 27 March, 7 p.m:ˆàˆàˆàStars and Mars, Moon and Jupiter @ Night at The Museumˆà

See North Down Museum Come Alive at Night!

Bring along your telescope and get some expert advice.

Observing highlights will be a spectacular First Quarter Moon, plus Jupiter and its moons, the Pleiades and lots of other stellar wonders.

Inflatable indoor star dome

Meteorites on display.

Only ˆã1:00 per person admission.

Coffee Cure @ The Museum will remain open until 9:00pm.

For further information telephone 028 9127 1200

www.northdownmuseum.com

ˆà

15. Light Workshop at Blackrock Castle Observatory:

There is a partial solar eclipse in the morning of March 20. Do you know how to safely view this? Make and take away a pinhole camera and a spectroscope. Explore how lenses are used to make telescopes, experiment with prisms and use solar telescopes (weather permitting). For ages 8+. February 17 & 19. 11:00 - 12:30. òÂì10 each.ˆàBooking and pre-payment essential Details at www.BCO.ie

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16. ARCHAEOASTRONOMY TRIP TO NEWGRANGE and KNOWTH, 2015, These trips have proved so popular that as soon as I got back from the last one,ˆàStranmillis UniversityˆàCollege Institute of LifeLong Learning asked me to lead another one next spring!ˆàˆàLike the last one, the next trip willˆàinclude a visit to the Knowth Tomb as well. It has the largest collection of Megalithic art anywhere in Europe in one single site, some of which is reckoned to be astronomical. Booking for thus very popular, non-technical trip will open later, but if you want to go, note the date in your diary: Sat 9 May. More details when the new brochure comes out.

17. IAA Telescopes for loan: TheˆàIAA has telescopes available to borrow,ˆàfor any paid up memberˆà Enquiries to David Stewart david.stewart22ntlworld.comˆàorˆàAndy McCrea s.mccrea980btinternet.com.ˆà

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18. STAR PARTIES and OTHER EVENTS:ˆàˆà

COSMOS: April 17th to 19th 2015, Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone.

SKELLIGS Star Party: 14-16 August,ˆàBallinskelligs, Co Kerry.ˆà This is a Gold Medal winning Dark Sky site.ˆà see www.skelligstarparty.comˆà

AI 'Star-B-Q': 15 August, An Tochar GAA Grounds, Roundwood, Co. Wicklow.

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19: Interesting Weblinks:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2936608/Can-spot-nebula-image-Video-reveals-methods-Nasa-uses-make-galaxies-nebulae-visible.htmlˆà

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2938076/Will-travelling-Mars-body-elderly-person-Spaceflight-ages-immune-study-claims.htmlˆà

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2938278/Is-future-space-NUCLEAR-Nasa-developing-new-rockets-send-astronauts-new-corners-solar-system.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2938483/Across-solar-speed-light-Breathtaking-video-takes-viewers-sun-s-surface-Jupiter-45-minutes.htmlˆàAmazing! It shows just how big our 'tiny' Solar System is!ˆà

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/02/03/planet-x-large-synoptic-survey_n_6602072.html?ir=UK+Tech

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2936986/A-glimpse-future-sun-Scientists-snap-Jupiter-s-ghost-shedding-outer-layers-1-500-miles-second.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2934859/Rocket-blasts-carrying-NASA-satellite-help-improve-weather-forecasts-track-global-climate-change.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2931725/ISS-moves-closer-home-Space-station-lowers-orbit-make-commute-Earth-space-shorter.htmlˆà

Gravitational Waves still not found: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150131111007.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fspace_time+%28Space+%26+Time+News+--+ScienceDaily%29

NASA launches new space observatory http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150131110641.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fearth_climate+%28Earth+%26+Climate+News+--+ScienceDaily%29ˆà

Live Fast, Die Young galaxies http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150201203221.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_science+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Science+News%29

New details in M51 Whirlpool http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150203155923.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fspace_time+%28Space+%26+Time+News+--+ScienceDaily%29ˆà

Mining the Moon: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150202114634.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Fspace_time+%28Space+%26+Time+News+--+ScienceDaily%29

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20. UFOlogists Laughs section:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2938340/Is-new-footage-Roswell-Video-uncovered-UFO-magazine-claims-provide-proof-aliens-Area-51.html

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21. TWITTER:ˆàFollow theˆàIAAˆàon Twitter: IaaAstro.

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22. JOINING the IRISH ASTRONOMICAL ASSOCIATION is easy: This link downloads a Word document to join the IAA. http://documents.irishastro.org.uk/iaamembership.doc

ˆàˆà ˆàIf you are a UK taxpayer, please tick the 'gift-aid' box, as that enables us to reclaim the standard rate of tax on your subscription, at no cost to you.ˆàYou can also make aˆàdonation via Paypal if you wish: just click on the 'Donate' button.ˆàˆàSee also www.irishastro.org.ˆà

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Clear skies,

Terry Moseley

mob: (0044) (0) 7979 300842

I'm now back on Twitter (occasionally - I don't have enough time!), after some temporary hiccups: terrymoseley2

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