Irish Astronomical Association

Upcoming Events

20th November - I.A.A at Roe Valley Country Park nr Limvady. IYA event with evening observing.

2nd January 2010 - I.A.A New Year Party - book here...

Q1 2010 TBC - I.A.A. at St. Patrick’s Academy Dungannon . IYA event solar and evening observing.

Further details on IAA News

Join the IAA Group on Facebook

Front Page Archive

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.

IAA/IYA2009 event -‘A Night under the Stars’

at Roe Valley Country Park, nr Limavady, Friday 20th November

Join Astronomers from the IAA for a look at the stars through binoculars and telescopes, and if it rains, don't worry, the Stardome will be available with your guide to the Night Sky, Dr Andy McCrea MBE!

We will show members of the public the wonders of the night sky, including mighty Jupiter, the largest planet in the Solar System, with its four big Galilean Moons, and lovely double stars, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies from far across the universe. We may even get a quick view of Mars, although not until late in the evening.

We will also have an exhibition, meteorites, and starshows in a mobile planetarium, so there will be plenty to enjoy, even if it's cloudy. Wrap up warm in any case, especially if the sky is clear.

There is a cafe on site, where light meals, hot snacks and drinks are available, and it will be open at least for the first part of the evening.

IAA Lecture 18th November

Dr Simon Jeffrey, Armagh Observatory - "Smoking Stars"

The next lecture of the Irish Astronomical Association's new season will be given by Dr Simon Jeffery of Armagh Observatory.

His talk is entitled "Smoking Stars". (And it's not about Marlene Dietrich etc......) It's on WEDNESDAY 18 NOVEMBER, 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!

2010 Sky Guide now available

John Flannery from the South Dublin Astronomical Society has produced a top quality guide to the sky from Ireland in 2010. This 41 page guide includes features on different aspects of Irish Astronomy as well as a Calendar of Astronomical Events covering the whole year! We are most grateful to John for producing this guide which is hosted on our website under the "Activities" menu or here....

Astronomy exhibition in Armagh

An interdisciplinary exhibition bringing together science, education and art, named "Over us All is the SElfsame Sky" (OASES) will open at 11:00 on Monday 9 November in the Rotunda Gallery, St Patrick's Trian, Armagh. The exhibition is part of a series of Astro-Art events held to celebrate the UN International Year of Astronomy 2009 and it will be launched with a performance of music, poetry and dance by pupils from Mount St. Catherine's Primary School, Armagh and the Armagh Rhymers.

The astronomy-themed exhibition contains paintings by astronomer Miruna Popescu of Armagh Observatory and artist Dara Vallely of the Armagh Rhymers, as well as work done in Astro-Art Fun workshops by children from schools as far apart as Omagh, Armagh and Dublin. The launch is open to the public and everyone is welcome to attend.

more info: http://astronomy2009.ie/official_press_releases/oases_exhibition_launch.html

IAA New Year Party 2nd January 2010 - Book Now!

The Irish Astronomical Association New Year Party will be held as usual in the Tudor Cinema, Drumhirk, Comber on Saturday 2nd of January 2010. A buffet meal will be available in Mc Brides the Square, Comber, starting at 6.00pm. After the buffet, members and guests will then make their way to the Tudor Cinema, Drumhirk for the feature film and quiz which will start at approx 8.00pm. Due to seating capacity at the Tudor Cinema numbers are limited to 60, so early booking is essential.

The booking form can be downloaded from here...

Brian Harvey - "The Chinese Space Programme" - 4th Nov

This talk by Irish Space Historian and Author Brian Harvey covered the complete history of the Chinese Space Programme from the invention of the rocket in 1272 through the beginning of the programme in 1956 right up to the present day and then into the planned future including Lunar Rover missions. So will the next man on the Moon be a Chinaman? Certainly it appears that stories of a Chinese manned Moon landing by 2019 are a little wide of the mark, but it may happen in the decade thereafter! This was a fascinating talk and we thank Brian for coming up from Dublin to talk to us.

Pictured: Brian Harvey with IAA President Philip Baxter and renowned Irish Astronomer John C McConnell

IAA/IYA 2009 -"Space and Aliens Competition"

Last chance to enter this competition - deadline 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...