*** Solarfest 2013 - Dunsink - June 29th ***

Another speaker now confirmed:

Sreejith Padinhateeri of the Solar Physics Group TCD (Peter Gallagher)

Speaker Details:

John Flannery

John Flannery is a Dublin-based software engineer by day with a particular interest in binocular observing, the history of astronomy, atmospheric optics, and clouds. Despite the latter being the bane of many amateur astronomers, John often considers Irish skies to be a constant source of wonder for both himself and fellow members of the Cloud Appreciation Society!

Often we just hear about the planned astronomical observatories that will probe the distant reaches of the Universe. Rarely do we come across information about future solar telescopes being built or on the drawing board that will exclusively study the Sun. John's talk hopes to introduce the audience to recent and concept observatories which promise the best views yet of our daytime star. A number of nations and consortia are working on proposals such as the European Solar Telescope, the Chinese Giant Solar Telescope, and the Indian National Solar Telescope. We will also learn about some of the exciting space missions such as Solar Probe Plus and SolO that will venture closer than any other spacecraft before to the Sun. Astronomers hope these new tools will reveal yet more about our nearest star and solve some of the many puzzles in solar science.

Terry Moseley

A lifetime's interest in amateur astronomy; from early very active general observing to more specialised interests now, including eclipses. Terry led Irish eclipse trips to Bulgaria (1999), Turkey (2006) and China (2009). Terry also successfully observed totality in Australia in November 2012. Terry was Past President of the Irish Astronomical Association for a record 3 x 3 year terms. Elected FRAS in 1967. Honoured by IAU in naming of Minor Planet 16693 Moseley. Founding President of IFAS. Author, lecturer and broadcaster. Currently PR Officer, and Meetings Organiser, for the IAA.

Draft Solarfest 2013 Schedule

10:45 Registration - Tea/Coffee
11:10 Welcome Address
11:15 Speaker 1 - TBC
12:00 Speaker 2 - Sreejith Padinhatteeri "Physics of the Sun - Unsolved Mysteries"
12:45 Lunch
13:15 Observatory Tour & Solar Observing (Weather Permitting)
13:45 Workshop: Construct A Simple Magnetometer - Michael OConnell
14:00 Speaker 3 - John Flannery "The Next Generation Solar Telescopes - New Views on the Daytime Sky"
14:45 Coffee Break
15:00 Speaker 4 - John O'Neill "Chasing the Shadow for more than a Saros"
15:45 Speaker 5 - Terry Moseley "Moon Shadows: Irish and other coming Total Solar Eclipses"
16:30 Conference Close

Sreejith Padinhatteeri

The sun is the Rosetta stone astronomy. It is the closest star, and the only star whose surface structures and the activities can be observed in detail. Hence, study of the sun and physics of the solar activities is one of the oldest branch of science. Apart from all these scientific curiosities, the sun also influences our day today life and existence. Sreejith's talk will cover our current understanding of the Sun and solar activities. The unsolved mysteries of the sun and how activities on the sun affect earth's space weather also will be discussed. Recent observations of the sun and solar activities using satellites, have produced large amount of beautiful images and movies. Some of these observations, relevant to the topic, also will be shown during the talk.








John O'Neill
As with many others, John’s love of astronomy developed out of his interest in spaceflight when he was young. He first began observing with binoculars from the back garden of his home in Dundrum, Co. Dublin, learning constellations and finding deep-sky objects with the help of a 1973 edition of Norton’s Star Atlas.

John’s main interests in astronomy include variable stars, comets, deep-sky objects, and of course, total solar eclipses – of which he’s seen ten since his first in 1991.
John resides and observes with his wife Sara in Rush, Co. Dublin and is completing his astronomy degree with the Open University. He is an active member and past President of the IAS as well as lead editor of their annual publication Sky High and the quarterly magazine Orbit.

In his talk, alternatively titled, “20 Total Solar Eclipse Phenomena”, John will convey a bit of the magic associated with this most spectacular event and explain how it is that he has become an “umbraphile”.

Seats are still available.
If you want to reserve one (or more), please send an email to ifas.solarfest@gmail.com