Athlone to host major astronomy event
COSMOS, Ireland's longest running star party, will be held in Athlone this week.
The event, hosted by the Midlands Astronomy Club, is one of the highlights of the Irish astronomical event calendar every year. Attracting international guest speakers and visitors alike, this star party is one of the most exciting, educational and friendly in Western Europe.
COSMOS takes place at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel from Friday, March 31 to Sunday, April 2.
Friday night's events include a lecture and workshop, by Seanie Morris, of Midlands Astronomy Club, aimed at kids on how to make and launch a rocket.
On Saturday, space writer, author and broadcaster Dr Brian Harvey will speak on the subject Soviet Lunar Exploration on Saturday morning, at 10.30am while Prof Nigel Henbest will deliver a talk Cosmic Pursuits at 12 noon.
Former chair of Midlands Astronomy Club Michael O'Connell will speak on the topic Radio and Video Observations of Meteors at 2.45pm while the science of Building a Low Frequency Array Radio Telescope in Ireland will be discussed by Joe McCauley from the School of Physics at Trinity College Dublin
On Saturday night, there will be an opportunity for astronomy observing at an off-side location in Athlone, weather permitting. Bring your own telescope or look through the ones there.
Sunday's programme includes a lecture on Solar Activity Space Weather and Disaster Prediction by Ivan Merrick, Solar Astronomer, Midlands Astronomy Club and a talk by Dr Mary Bourke, Senior Scientist at the Planetary Science Insitute
Finally, Stephen Corcoran of K-Tec Telescopes, one of COSMOS's main sponsors will talk about meteorites in how they are formed, how they reach Earth, and the many varieties on display that you can see and touch during his presentation. Lunar and Martian samples included!
Admission rates: Weekend: €40; Saturday only €30; Sunday only: €20; Friday workshop only: €3; Single lecture: €10. Children under 13 are free with a paying adult (maximum of 2 children per adult)
For full details, complete programme etc, visit www.cosmosstarparty.ie