Open Telescope Night with Tullamore A.S. - Tues May 30th

On Tuesday night, May 30th, Tullamore Astronomical Society will offer anyone who wants to know how to use their telescope to the fullest the chance to do so! The location to be will be in the Heritage Centre, Bury Quay, Tullamore at 8pm. Bring along your telescope or binoculars, and have a look at the other ones on display.

TAS will demonstrate how to use recent models such as the Bresser Skylux and Meade ETX-70AT, as well other models and types.

TAS will give everyone a look at how the telescope came about, its myriad of designs and uses through the ages, and how they play a part in understanding the Universe around us. It will also feature how best to use certain sized-scopes, and what is viewable within its limiting power. It will show an array of photographs taken by other amateur astronomers all over Ireland with the same telescopes.

TAS will have its own telescopes on display – two 6 inch reflectors and one 12 inch reflector. It will give out information on how to carefully maintain and clean your instrument, the Do’s and Don’ts of observing, and what to look out for to get the most enjoyment out of it.

If the weather is favourable on the night, TAS is offering people to come out for an observing session, either from the park near the Heritage Centre, or even at its Observatory Site out in Clonminch, away from the light pollution.

This event is completely informal, and is meant to help. Bring along your questions, or even tips you have learned, and even your own telescope. Admission is €2.00, with a chance of refreshments afterwards.

For more information, see www.tullamoreastronomy.com or get in touch with the Secretary, Seanie Morris, on 087 6825910.


Copied and pasted from a short article sent to the papers.

Seanie.

Seanie

best of luck with it and dont forget to let us know how it went

Thanks for that Trevor. With luck, we will have more people than usual turn up. The papers have expressed an interest in sending people down to cover it. So we hope it goes well too!

I'll keep you posted afterwards!

How did ye get on with the telescope night

Sorry for the late reply Trevor!

We had a good night. About 35 people turning up in a small room in the Heritage Centre. We had a nice array of scopes, some of which were brought by members of the public that came along. We had a couple of small talks - I gave one about the history of the telescope and its designs to date, Michael gave one showing how easy it is to build an observatory at home, Frank talked about how to best use the different designs, and Darren talked us through the latest technology with his Celestron set up. We had scores of leaflets and handouts, 'before and after' 8 inch mirrors, lots of Q&A, and also demonstrated the use of the ETX-70's and Skylux's there and then (as they are the most common ones found today for some reason! ).

We also had a small raffle for a couple of nice astronomy books to help get people started, or push them that little bit further.

In all, we were pleased, and we learned some more from it ourselves for the next the we host it.

The next 'big' event we are looking forward to is our Perseids Star-B-Q in August - should be a treat!

Seanie.