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The Irish Astronomical Association was formed in 1974 and draws its 200 members from both the UK and Ireland. The IAA membership ranges from complete beginners to accomplished observers and astrophotographers.
IAA Events in June
We have a packed programme of events coming up in June!
Weds 15th June - Total Lunar Eclipse
On 15th June the Moon will rise in the East already totally eclipsed. We will be observing this from Scrabo Tower.
We will start with a Barbeque from 7:30pm onwards with the Moon rising
at 9:55pm with totality ending at 10:02pm. Late stayers will be able to
view the partial phases and Saturn which will be very close to the star
Porrima
 
Note this is a weather dependent event so please check the IAA Forum at 6pm on the evening for a go/no-go decision.
Sat 18th June - Stardome and Solar Observing at Glenavy Fun Day
As part of the Glenavy Festival Week we will be attending with the Stardome and, if the weather holds up, Solar telescopes.
We
will be running star shows from 11am until 4pm as well as solar
observing and exhibitions of meteorites and other astronomical
paraphenalia.
The
event is being held in and outside The Village Hall adjacent to St
Aidan's Church in the middle of Glenavy - map and photo below.....
Google Maps link...
This should be a fun day for all who attend!
Sat 25th June - Barbeque at Armagh Observatory
Our annual midsummer BBQ will be returning to one of its most popular locations this year - the beautiful grounds of Armagh Observatory.
Admission
is free to all IAA members and guests, but bring all your own food and
drink, and eating items (cutlery, plates, glasses (preferably plastic),
BBQ tongs etc if you have them) and folding chairs or
waterproof rugs. We will provide the actual BBQs for cooking. We will aim to eat around 4 p.m., and finish about 6 p.m.
There
will be a tour of the Observatory, which we hope will include the new
'State of the Art' robotic telescope, and the world-famous Human
Orrery, and the fascinating Astropark and 'Hill of Infinity'. We may
also have a quiz and or/other competitions.
We will have at least one large gazebo to provide shelter if necessary.
If you are planning to attend, please email Terry Moseley so we will have some idea of numbers.
If the weather looks like being really bad, check the IAA forum in advance for the Go/No-go decision.
All night ISS Passes
The International Space Station is currently making a series of
excellent late-night passes, on some nights being visible four times
during the night! See here...
STS-134 - Endeavour's Last Flight - latest news
The STS-134 Endeavour mission is now complete.
The
STS-135 Atlantis mission has been approved - this will carry a four man
crew since there will be no backup shuttle available - in the event of
Atlantis being unfit to return to Earth the crew will return from the
ISS on a Soyuz capsule. Launch is currently scheduled for 8th July
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The remaining mission schedule is thus as follows:-
8th July
Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-135
Launch Time: TBA
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Image: NASA
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Membership renewals and New Joiners
Members are reminded that subscriptions for the 2011/12 Year are due from September 1st.
New Joiners can download an application form here...
Anyone joining the Association from now onwards will get membership through 'til August 2012
Membership fees are as follows:-
Single membership: £20 or €25
Family Membership (all members of a family at one address): £25 or €30
The benefits of membership include 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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