See ya'll there!
PRESS RELEASE
Don’t miss First Fridays at the Castle at CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory.
CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory prides itself as a centre that provides “scientific stimulation in a fun and unique environment”. This energetic concept is highlighted through BCO’s regular astro-related events. The most popular of these entertaining windows for science are First Fridays at the Castle held on the first Friday of every month.
First Fridays at the Castle is a free event held in association with Cork Astronomy Club that features lectures by visiting scholars, guided stargazing in Blackrock Castle’s courtyard and workshop activities for children. The next First Fridays at the Castle event will run from 6-10pm on the 3rd September. The theme for September is Asteroids and at 8pm Dave McDonald will give a presentation called “Celtic Rock” that looks at the place of asteroids within our solar system and precisely how one should go about looking for them.
Dave McDonald discovered the second asteroid from Ireland (2008 TM9) back in October 2008 - the first was discovered from County Sligo by Andrew Graham in 1848. He then went on to discover 2009 FM14 in March of this year. “Celtic Rock” covers both the historic discovery of Metis back in 1848 and the recent discoveries made by Dave McDonald and also Dave Grennan of Raheny Observatory, Dublin.
This Friday CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory will also launch Astronomical Use of Cameras, an exciting photography exhibition by Denis Walsh.
Denis Walsh is a scientist who has for many years been taking photographs of the night sky, landscapes and his dog. He started teaching astronomy with Blackrock Castle Observatory two years ago, and has since honed his skill with long exposure and telephoto work. Astronomical telescopes have proved phenomenal in the field of photography, as cameras have in astronomy. Some examples of the results can be seen here, educationally themed and technically detailed, as well as being, to the artist, aesthetically uplifting. The exhibition will run for the months of September and October at BCO.
The exhibit Cosmos at the Castle is open and free to visitors at First Fridays at the Castle.
Join us stargazing in the courtyard with Jupiter and Capella visible weather dependant.
There is ample free parking and the Castle Bar and Trattoria is open till late.
Images and Media Contact
Clair McSweeney,
Facilities Manager, Blackrock Castle Observatory, Blackrock, Cork.
T - 021-4357917 M - 086-8165162 E - clairmcsweeney@bco.ie W -
www.bco.ie
About Blackrock Castle Observatory
Blackrock Castle was originally built on the Lee in 1582 by the citizens of Cork as a watch tower and fort to guard the river entrance against pirates and other invaders.
Now in an exciting collaboration between Cork City Council and the Cork Institute of Technology, Blackrock Castle Observatory, the Space for Science, watches the skies above, the world around us and the future in its quest to bring new adventures in science to its many visitors.
Cosmos at the Castle is the international award-winning interactive astronomy exhibit at Blackrock Castle Observatory. It is also home to BCO Research Labs, the Cork Science Café, the Open Night First Fridays at the Castle, Movies by Moonlight and Pulse, a monthly performance showcase where science meets art and technology.
Visitors enjoy local and Italian dishes at the Castle Bar and Trattoria in the fine surrounds of our riverside courtyard.
