Next meeting: 8PM on Monday August 28th 2006 at the Forster Court Hotel.
Speaker: John Flannery (Chairman, South Dublin Astronomical Society)
"The Story of Sunspots"
Features of the Sun or intra-Mercurial planets? These were just some of the questions that vexed astronomers down through the centuries as they attempted to unravel the nature of the dark patches seen regularly on the solar disk. The importance that such explanations dovetailed with Church dogma that the Sun was unblemished made for some of the more interesting and explosive episodes in the history of astronomy such as the deep divisions that arose between Scheiner and Galileo. Subsequently, the slow understanding of the nature of sunspots led to a greater insight into the Sun and clues to its past, present, and future. The story of sunspots is interesting and varied with many characters involved in peeling away the mysteries of our nearest star. This talk will unfold this fascinating tale.
Tea & Coffee will be served afterwards.
Admission: Members €2.50. Non-members €5.00. Newcomers welcome.
www.galwayastronomyclub.ie
  