"Ireland: The Final Frontier" is the theme for the 10th annual Galway Astronomy Festival which takes place on February 2nd
The greatest scientific undertakings and events of Mankind have long been solely associated with some of the world’s greatest nations and organisations but the minds behind some of these achievements can be found in some of the most unlikely places. The theme for this one day Celestial extravaganza is “Ireland: The Final Frontier of Science” with an emphasis is on Irish Academic and Amateur astronomers who are involved in cutting edge scientific research. Academic speakers like Andy Shearer involved with the Kepler mission and its search for habitable planets around other stars, Astrophysicist; Tom Ray on Making Stars and Planets and from UCD, Lorraine O’Hanlon with a FREE PUBLIC Talk on the Global Robotic Telescopes Intelligent Array (GLORIA) at 4pm, a network of small telescopes for research looking for Exoplanets among other things. Maybe there are opportunities for amateur astronomers in Ireland to join this network and produce amazing results.
Amateur astronomers include Irish Supernova hunter Dave Grennan and his quest for these stellar explosions, Dave Gradwell owner of one of Irelands most unique Solar observatories, Ronan Newman, one of the our most prolific Aurora hunters on how to catch the elusive Irish Aurora and from Dublin John Flannery who is so excellently versed in the history of astronomy, will provide the community with an answer to the question of what makes a “Great Comet” by preparing us for Comet Pan-stars in March and Comet ISON in November. Finally Sir Patrick Moore will not be forgotten, from Belfast; Terry Moseley knows some untold stories of Sir Patrick which he will tell us after dinner. There is no doubt that his talk will make the most famous amateur of recent times come alive.
Tickets for the event are available at the door from 9.15am, there will also be observing on two nights, information stands and as Bonus attendees will get a chance to visit the “state of the art” NUI Galway Observatory. For details of the Festival (including accommodation) see the GAC homepage at
www.galwayastronomyclub.ie
or phone 0868434003. We look forward to seeing you, hopefully under clear skies
Launch by Professor Michael Redfern
(Morning Session)
Dave Grennan: “Hunting Extra-Galactic Supernovae from Ireland”
www.webtreatz.com
Tom Ray: (Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies) “Making Stars and Planets: The First Three Billion Years”John Flannery: (South Dublin AS) “What makes a Great Comet?”
Dave Gradwell: “OSCAR: A Unique Irish Solar Observatory”
www.davegradwell.com
Ronan Newman: (Galway Astronomy Club) Optional Lunchtime Workshop: “Celestial Light: Catching the elusive Aurora Borealis from Ireland”
www.facebook.com/CelestialLightIrishAuroraHuntersHomepage
(Afternoon Session)
Dr. Andrew Shearer (President of the Centre for Astronomy, NUI Galway) "Kepler: The Search for Habitable Planets"Prof.
John Flannery: (South Dublin AS) “What makes a Great Comet?”
Professor Lorraine O’Hanlon (UCD): "The Gloria Project: The Future of Virtual E-science Telescopes”
gloria-project.eu/en/
Patrick Moore themed dinner and small exhibition
Short film on lighter side of Patrick Moore
Terry Moseley (IAA): Untold Stories of Sir Patrick Moore FRAS
Entry only €20
Hope to see you there, full information along with details of our very busy club schedule is available at
www.galwayastronomyclub.ie
Thanks For Reading
Ronan Newman
Secretary
Galway Astronomy Club
