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Upcoming Events
19th June - IAA / UAS / NIEA
Solstice Event
15th August - WWT
Castle Espie - Solar Day
22nd August - NT Mount
Stewart - Solar Day TBC
16-19 Sept
- International Meteor Conference - Armagh
Observatory
13th October - WWT
Castle Espie – Evening Observing with Mobile Planetarium
IAA on the Web
Front Page Archive
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Summer with the IAA
Just because observing, at least Deep Sky objects, has become a little difficult due to the twilight lasting all night, it doesn't mean there's nothing to see or do!
During the Summer the IAA will hold a joint Solstice Event with the Ulster Archaeological Society and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency on Saturday 19th June - details to follow, as well as two Solar Days at Castle Espie (Sun 15th August) and Mount Stewart (Sun 22nd August) - the former being a new venue for this event previously held at Carnfunnock.
Ballynoe Event - Sat 19th June
This was an excellent day out - Picture gallery here...
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Image: Paul Evans
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A binocular comet visible June/July
COMET McNAUGHT (C/2009 R1). This comet should gradually brighten as it moves closer to both Earth and Sun
over the next few days, with minimum comet-Earth distance on 15/16 June.
It then moves slightly further away from Earth, but continues to get
closer to the Sun until perihelion on July 2. However it will always be
low down in the Northern twilight for observers in Ireland, so I doubt
if it's ever going to be easily visible to the unaided eye.
Terry Moseley and Paul Evans have seen this comet in binoculars however.
But with comets you never can tell, so we can only hope!
Here's a finder chart....
Chart: Jodrell Bank
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IAA ‘Snap
the Logo’ Competition
This is a simple
competition anyone can enter over the holiday period!
Simply download an
image of the I.A.A. LOGO and take an unusual or quirky snap
incorporating the logo. It could be with a personality, up in a hot
air balloon, underwater - the choice is yours. The photograph that
raises awareness of the Association and produces some publicity may
get extra points! The winning entry will be chosen by the I.A.A.
President and the prize will be a £25.00 book token. The winner will
be announced the October meeting.
How to enter.
Take your photograph
and either ‘post’ it on the I.A.A. forum at www.irishastro.org,
or e-mail it to iaaphil@googlemail.com
Rules
Entries to be
received by 30/09/10.
No Photoshop,
Paintshop Pro, etc. to be used.
Only one entry per
person, so pick your best!
All entries,
including the winning one, are free for use by the I.A.A. for display
in our magazine ‘Stardust’, as well as on our web page or in any
other I.A.A. publication.
Good Luck!
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Revised Membership Rates
Regrettably due to rising costs we have had to increase the subscriptions for IAA membership. For the 2010/2011 season these will be as follows:-
Single membership: £20 or €25
Family Membership (all members of a family at one address): £25 or €30
Note that this is the first rate increase in five years and still includes an unmatched programme of lectures, observing nights, other events and a subscription to our highly regarded quarterly magazine, "Stardust", delivered to your door.
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Noctilucent Cloud (NLC) Season begins
Eyes to the North! From the beginning of June until the end of July it is possible to see Noctilucent Clouds (NLCs) from Northern Ireland - indeed we are ideally placed being between 50 and 60 degrees North.
It should be an interesting season. Many believe that NLCs are tied into
the Solar Cycle in some as yet not understood way, and that increased
solar activity may bring a reduction in the number and intensity of NLC
displays - though some evidence suggests there is a lag of a year or two, on which basis given last year's lack of Solar activity, we should be in for a treat!
Here's one from last year.
Image: Paul Evans
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