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Upcoming IAA Events:
17th October - I.A.A. Castle Espie. IYA event - Evening observing.
22nd October - Ulster Museum Opens
22nd October - Public Lecture “Why Are We Here?” - St. Patrick’s Trian, Armagh.
Tickets Aileen McKee 02837522928
24th October - I.A.A. at St. Patrick’s Academy Dungannon . IYA event solar and evening observing.
14th November - I.A.A. at Armagh Planetarium. IYA event with solar and evening observing.
Nov TBC - I.A.A at Roe Valley Country Park. IYA event with evening observing.
Further details on IAA News
Front Page Archive
Sept 2009
August/Sept 2009
July/August 2009
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The Irish Astronomical Association was formed in 1974 and
draws its 200 members from both the UK and Ireland. The IAA membership ranges from
complete beginners to accomplished observers and astro photographers.
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‘Stargazing for Pleasure’
Call for interest – it is intended that this lecture series will be held in Bangor, subject to the level of interest;
Bangor, Hamilton House
Tuesday evenings 7pm to 9pm
November to December 2009
Lecturer: Dr Andy McCrea
Full details here...
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Sunspots!
Resident IAA Solar imaging expert Peter Paice has sent these excellent images of the only sunspots to be seen for quite a while!
Delamont Observing session a success!
A hearty group of astronomers arrived at Delamont
Country Park on the 25-9-09 for some observing, and even though the
weather forecast wasn't very favourable, a little observing was achieved before the clouds rolled in (and the craic was good too)
IAA/IYA 2009 -"Space and Aliens Competition"
There is still time to enter this competition - deadline now 30th November!
As part of International Year of Astronomy 2009, the Irish
Astronomical Association (IAA) is running a major public
competition, with substantial prizes, for all ages, and in various
categories, so that anyone can enter. Full details here...
Excellent Season Opener by Professor Tom Ray
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Image: Paul Evans
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The opening lecture of the Irish Astronomical Association's new season
was given by Prof Tom Ray of the Dublin Institute of Advanced
Studies and the Royal Irish Academy. It was entitled "Planning Hubble's
Successor, the James Webb Space Telescope".
Prof Ray is involved in the design of
some of the instrumentation which will be going on the telescope! We
have had several excellent lectures from Tom before, and this one was no exception!
The warm-up talk was provided by Dr Andy McCrea and this can be seen on our YouTube channel here...
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9th European Dark Skies Symposium a great success
The 9th European Symposium for the Protection of the Night Sky took place in Armagh from 17th-19th September - many members of the IAA were involved in the organisation of the event and were present in the audience along with may others from all over the world which included not just Astronomers but also those with interests in Energy Conservation and the Environment - Light Pollution is a subject which cuts across many disciplines. One particular emphasis
was on the aspect of energy - the amount of light radiated upward not only spoils our view of the heavens, it also represents millions of watts of wasted energy which could be far better used. Fortunately those who matter do seem to be listening and there are improved designs of lights which both use less power and direct the light more effectively, but there is still a long way to go!
Here's the IAA's own Terry Moseley with Irish Broadcaster Leo Enright and Professor Mark Bailey of Armagh Observatory.
More information including links to video replays of the talks here...
Image: Paul Evans
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