IAA + IAS/IFAS event, Dunsink Observatory, Sat Feb 13th

Hello All,

You are cordially invited to a one-off astronomcial event among friends and amateur astronomers at Dunsink Obervatory, Castleknock, Dublin this Saturday February 13th. This major event is being arranged jointly by the Irish Astronomical Association (IAA) and other Irish amateur astronomy groups. This is a FREE EVENT but your intention on coming is desired to be known. Thus far, the programme is as follows:

Morning half: it is encouraged to take in a visit to the Images of Starlight Exhibition at the nearby National Botanic Gardens.

13.00 - Gates/Doors open: Solar observing if clear.
14.00 - Welcome & opening remarks
14.15 - Talk: John Flannery IAS and IFAS HISTORY of Irish Astronomy culminating in DUNSINK OBSERVATORY
15.00 - Talk: Emmet Mordaunt, MAC: Galileo: Hero or Heretic
16.00 - 16.20 Tea / coffee
16.20 - 16.45: Tours of Observatory - Two groups, one does main building, other does South Dome + Refractor, then groups swap.
16.45 - 17.40 - Talk: Paul Evans, IAA: Observing Highlights of 2016 and how to photograph them

17.40 - 18.30 - Break for food. Options

*Bring your own. You can reheat food in the large microwave or the oven. More tea and coffee and soft drinks will be available.
*There are other local eating options, including the Travelodge just on the Dunsink side of the main roundabout, or the Halfway House at Ashtown on the main N3, on the Dublin side of the M50.
*It may be possible to arrange for some finger buffet food to be supplied on site, for a small charge. Final notice on this shortly.

18.30 - 19.20: Observing or Talk: Samuel Bleyen, IAS: Solar observation: a history from Galileo to Solar Orbiter including a brief overview of the 3 main visible amateur observation options, namely white light, H-alpha and Calcium-K.
19.20 - 20.20 - Observing or Quiz: Hosted by Quizmaster Seanie Morris, MAC and IFAS
20.20 - 21.00: Talk no 5 (Speaker TBC), or Observing.
21.00 - Close of formal programme + socialising or observing Jupiter etc.

Ktec Telescopes
Ktec Telescopes will also be exhibiting some of their amazing selection of telescopes and equipment at this event. www.ktectelescopes.ie/

Observing is possible from 18.30. Moon is waxing crescent, phase 34%; best viewed from 18.30 to 20.00. Jupiter rises at 19.52; best observed after 21.00. Since there is a limit to the numbers that can observe with the South refractor, visitors are encouraged to take turns in the dome, and to support the speakers when not observing!

IAS/IFAS PHOTO EXHIBITION: Why not combine this event with a visit to the superb, and free, AstroPhoto Exhibition at Botanic Gardens nearby that morning, particularly if you are traveling some distance?

ALL WELCOME - TOTALLY FREE EVENT!

To give an idea of numbers for catering, please email Terry Moseley to advise if you will be attending: terrymosel@aol.com

Hope to see you there!


Clear Skies,

Seanie Morris,
IFAS Chairperson.

Great stuff Seanie, see you there

Dave_Lillis wrote: Great stuff Seanie, see you there

I can't take any credit for it Dave, I was posting it on behalf of Terry Moseley!

UPDATE:
I'll be presenting a lecture on Saturday evening, as follows (keeping it light and family-friendly):

19.20 - 20.20 - Talk: Seanie Morris, IFAS and MAC: What was it REALLY like on Apollo 11?


Regards,

Seanie.

Excellent news Seanie - instead of the Quiz or as well?

Paul Evans wrote: Excellent news Seanie - instead of the Quiz or as well?

Instead of the quiz, Terry made a call on it a few days ago. I was thinking of bring the quiz as a back-up but then thought it might be difficult to set up, in a similar way to the table quiz at COSMOS (teams, ability to write on a surface, etc.).

Seanie.

Here's the final programme for the event....

Saturday, February 13th: IAA/IFAS event at Dunsink Observatory


· (13.00 Gates/Doors open and solar observing if clear).



· 14.00 Welcome & opening remarks: DIAS / IAA / IAS / IFAS



· 14.15 - 15.00: “A History of Dunsink Observatory”, by John Flannery, IAS



· 15:00 – 15:45: “Galileo: Hero or Heretic”, by Emmet Mordaunt, MAC



· 15.45 - 16.15 Tea / coffee



· 16.15 - 16.45: Tours of Observatory - Two groups, one does main building, other does South Dome + Refractor. Then the groups swap around.



· 16.45 - 17.40 – “Observing Highlights of 2016 & Photographing Them”, Paul Evans, IAA



· 17.40 - 18.30 - Break for food. Attendees are welcome to bring their own or there are locations nearby (Travelodge or Halfway House pub) which provide food.



· 18.30 - 19.20: “Solar Observing: A History”, by Samuel Bleyen, Meath Astronomy Club



· 19.20 - 20.10: “The Northern Lights in Irish History – from Superstition to the Digital Age”, by Ronan Newman, GAC.



· 20.10 – 21.00 – “What was it really like on Apollo 11?”, by Seanie Morris, MAC



· 21.00 - Close of formal programme + socialising or observing Jupiter etc.

Looking forward to seeing everyone there, should be a fun day out!