Blackrock Castle Observatory first Space Camp for kids

I spent two days down in Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork.
They were holding their first Space Camp for kids.
The facilities are some of the best in this country for outreach.



Children having a look at the sun for the first time in h alpha, thankfully there was a nice big prom on the limb Thursday afternoon.



Children observing and carefully drawing Enceladus plumes in the classroom at Blackrock Castle.


Clair McSweeney , Deirdre Kelleghan, Frances McCarthy and some of the children who attended my "Deadly Moons" drawing session on Friday morning.

The magnificent 16th Century Blackrock Castle Observatory Cork

Many thanks to Clair McSweeney, ( Facilities Manager) ( Frances McCarthy Education Outreach ) and Alan Giltinan BCO Labs

If you are down in Cork drop in and have a look.

Blackrock Castle Observatory will be taking part in 100 Hours of Astronomy in IYA 2009 perhaps if you live in the area you could support what they are doing.

Deirdre Kelleghan
Irish Astronomical Society

Looks like a great time was had by all! I'm also socked at how nice the castle is, what a setting for observing!

Bart.

Nice work Dee. Great to see so many children taken part in astronomy and having fun!

Great work Dee.
The Castle looks like a great place for this kind of event.

Another view from inside the courtyard, the dome on the turret is home to a 16 inch Meade used for research.



Here is a shot from the main turret of the courtyard and restaurant area.




Here is a shot of the 10foot Dome , difficult to stand back on a turret.



This is a little 10 inch SC also for research.


They have some dobs for first quarter moon viewing, we would have looked at the daytime moon only for the dam clouds.

Deirdre Kelleghan
Irish Astronomical Society

Good stuff, glad to hear - and see - that Blackrock is becoming a kernel of astronomical learning.