Dublin / Wicklow / Belfast - Astronomy Ireland Summer Events

13 July 2009 - 22 August 2009

Summer Events
As Summer hots up, there are several special events organised by Astronomy Ireland in the coming weeks:

Monday, July 13 - Trinity College Dublin - "Dark Matter"
Professor Gerry Gilmore <http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture200907.html> speaks about the dark matter which provides the gravity holding galaxies together and built the structure we see in the universe today. Drawing on research from the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, Gerry will explain how astronomy is the way to discover how Nature works on the grandest of scales. Book seats HERE <https://astro1.securesites.com/sub/200907lectickets.htm> . Order DVD HERE <http://www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html> .

Thursday, July 23 - Moon Landing 40th Anniversary Lecture and DVD
A lecture and book-signing to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Apollo Moon landings. Dan Parry, former BBC journalist and author of 'Moonshot: The Inside Story of Mankind's Greatest Adventure', will treat us to some of the amazing stories behind the mission, and an insight into his publication. Book-signing will take place before the talk. Book seats HERE <https://astro1.securesites.com/sub/200907blectickets.htm> . Order DVD HERE <http://www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html> .

Monday, August 10 - Trinity College Dublin - "Mad about Meteorites"
Dr. Matthew Parkes, assistant keeper with earth sciences in the National Museum of Ireland, will explain the origins of meteorites from outer space, the characteristics of these space rocks, and the threat posed by larger meteorites hitting our planet. Book seats HERE <https://astro1.securesites.com/sub/200908lectickets.htm> . Order DVD HERE <http://www.astronomy.ie/lectureDVD.html> .

Saturday, August 22 - Roundwood, Co. Wicklow - Annual STAR-B-Q.
On August 22 we have our biggest national event, held in Roundwood, Co. Wicklow - the highest village in Ireland. The annual Star-B-Q is by far the biggest gathering of telescopes and astronomy fans in Ireland each year, and a great star party. If there is one astronomy event that you should attend this year, THIS IS IT! For more details visit www.astronomy.ie/sbq <http://www.astronomy.ie/sbq> . There is a special early bird rate for members who book before July 31st. To book tickets click HERE <https://astro1.securesites.com/sub/SBQaug09.htm> .

2. Belfast Carnival celebrates International Year of Astronomy
The annual Belfast Carnival takes place on Saturday June 27 and this year celebrates the International Year of Astronomy. The festival will see giant floats, puppets and hundreds of costumed performers take to the streets and parade through the city centre, encouraging participants and onlookers alike to look to the sky and explore the wonders of the universe. The Carnival also coincides with the outdoor IYA exhibition 'From Earth To The Universe', which takes place in the grounds of Belfast City Hall.

For more information about this event click HERE <http://www.belfastcarnival.com/events> .
To view the official poster for the event click HERE <http://www.belfastcarnival.com/news/view/19> .

3. James May on the Moon - Tonight on BBC2
In a special documentary commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Apollo Moon landings, James May meets three of the men who walked on the moon, experiences weightlessness and the bone-crushing G forces of a Saturn V rocket launch, and dons a space suit to fly to the edge of space where he observes the earth's curvature, and the infinite vastness of space.

This documentary is on BBC2 tonight at 11:20pm. To read more about it and see some exciting previews click HERE < http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00lfdbv> .

4. Ocean on Saturn's Enceladus
Read ESA's announcement of a possible ocean on one of Saturn's moons HERE <http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMH0X0P0WF_index_0.html> .
Listen to David Moore speak about the discovery in a radio interview HERE <http://www.astronomy.ie/audio/> .