Well, it’s official that this Summer was wetter than normal (again!) The Met Office have released statistics showing that some areas experienced twice the average rainfall during June, July, and August. Read the full story at http://www.met.ie/news/display.asp?ID=23
On a more positive note the SDAS are about to resume its monthly meetings. I’ve to speak to the school about the exact date we can start back but I can confirm it will NOT be this Thursday (our meetings are generally the first Thursday in a month.) I’ll post out more details about our first meeting as soon as they are available.

Meanwhile, you might like to attend some of the following events during the coming few weeks.

September 7th: The first IAS talk of their new lecture season will be held in Dunsink Observatory, Castleknock at 8pm. John O’Neill will speak about his recent trip to China to view the total solar eclipse in July.

September 14th: Astronomy Ireland talk “Searching for exoplanets: modern methods and future prospects” by Dr. Christopher Allan Watson, Astrophysics Research Centre, Queen’s University Belfast. More details at http://www.astronomy.ie/lecture200909.html

September 16th: The Royal Irish Academy will host a public lecture in conjunction with the 9th European Symposium for the Protection of the Night Sky. Well-known broadcaster and science populariser Leo Enright will give a talk titled “What is Light?” at the RIA building on Dawson Street. More details at http://ria.ie/committees/astronomy/new.html

September 17th to 19th: The 9th European Symposium for the Protection of the Night Sky will take place in the Market Place Theatre, Armagh. More details from http://www.lightpollution2009.eu

September 18th: A major exhibition collated by Deirdre Kelleghan will launch at Birr Castle, County Offaly. Titled “In the Footsteps of Galileo”, the exhibition will feature drawings and sketches of the Moon created by Irish, American, and many many more children along with lunar, solar, planetary, and deep sky sketches made by well known observers and artists such as Sir Patrick Moore, Sally Russell, Jeremey Perez, Sue French, Dan Davis, Jeff Young and many many more. More details about Deirdre’s outreach work are on her web site at http://www.deirdrekelleghan.com/
September 23rd: The IAA are delighted to announce that the opening lecture of the Irish Astronomical Association’s new season will be given by Prof Tom Ray of the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies and the Royal Irish Academy. It is entitled “Planning Hubble’s Successor, the James Webb Space Telescope”. Prof Ray is eminently qualified to talk on this topic, as he is involved in the design of some of the instrumentation which will be going on the telescope! We have had several excellent lectures from Tom before, and we are delighted to welcome him back again. It’s on WEDNESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER, at 7.30 p.m., in the Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, Queen’s University, Belfast. ADMISSION IS FREE, as always, and includes light refreshments. Everyone is welcome. Full details of the rest of the programme are on the website: www.irishastro.org

September 26th: Shannonside Astronomy Club hosts the inaugural Burren Star Party in Ballyvaughan, County Clare. More details at http://www.shannonsideastronomyclub.com/sac_burren_starparty.htm
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I am doing another bit of a clear out of the bookshelf and have attached a list of books for sale. Feel free to e-mail me if any pique the interestI may have another list to add to this in the next week or so.

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The SDAS web site www.southdublinastronomy.org has moved to a different format (WordPress I think) but I have not had time get to grips yet with putting some structure on it. Hope to get to do so shortly. [Yes it is John! But don't worry I'll post up your emails until you have time to get to it! ~albert]
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Sky Guide 2010 is about half complete at the moment and should be available for download in another month or so. If there is any aspect of the 2009 guide you would like revised or described in more detail then get in touch!

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All the best,

John
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South Dublin Astronomical Society

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