Images and Sketches of Uranus

Season 2021/22

Season 2020/21

Season 2019/20

Observers’ Group Activities

The next Observers Group Meeting will be held on February 27th. at the Killumney Inn at 8. PM.

The Observers Group covers a number of activities that are carried out collectively by a select number of individuals from within the group. the group meets formally on a set night each month at a published location .

Short reports of the groups activities are set out below however the Group’s main activities cover the following discrete subjects:

Observing – Physically looking at the sky with and without optical instruments. This may be from known local sites in Cork to foreign trips to other observatories. Takes place at least once a month weather depending.

Observing Presentations: When the skies are overcast on the observing night the group holds discussions and presentations of astronomy subjects – normally several 10 – 15 minute talks with slides.

Astrophotography – at dark sky and other sites those interested in this subject meet to take images via terrestrial or astronomy cameras. The club also published a monthly astrophotography newsletter, the Image Board, comprising images from club members.

Radio Astronomy – a small group within the club are experimenting with radio detection apparatus.

Light Pollution – the club is carrying out a planned project to measure light levels at a variety of Cork locations.

Club Observatory – this has a 13″ reflector telescope. Use of this is by prior invitation/arrangement

Equipment, Domes and Observatories

Club Exhibition of Astrophotography at City Hall

Set up at Jans — Club Exhibition of Astrophotography at City Hall

Planets

Select a planet from the Gallery dropdown menu

Image above by By WP – Planets2008.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45708230

Winter Solstice 2018 at Drombeg Stone Circle

The weather on Friday 21st December looked unpromising for a visit to Drombeg stone circle–but perseverance was rewarded when about 25 members and their friends briefly witnessed–or almost witnessed–the solstice sunset there. Just about 4 in the afternoon, twenty minutes or so before official sunset, the sun briefly broke through the clouds fractionally to the left of a notch in the hills which really made the day. Club member Michael O’Keeffe gave a tour of the site, telling its history, the excavation of the site which took place in the 1950’s, and the relevance of the winter and summer solstice.

USEFUL LINKS & RESOURCES COMPILATION

Select the category of link or Resource Information you require below to access the relevant PDF file where you can save it for later perusal or browse immediately a selection of links, articles and/or blogs that cover the subject.

Inside the PDF file clicking on a link will take you to a website on the same page. Right clicking on a link, in most cases, will offer you the choice of opening the link on a separate page or separate tab

Fri 16 Nov – Blackrock Castle open night

The open night will be hosting workshops, a Gravity Well to show how space is warped by large objects, demonstrations on Stellarium (a free software that helps you to explore the night sky) and observing in the courtyard with telescopes brought by Club members. (weather dependent!)

Schedule of events:

19:00 – 20:00 – Prof Robert Walsh: A talk in the area of solar science and our relationship with the Sun
20:15 – 22:00 – Cork Skeptics host Kevin Mitchell: Destiny and Chance – How the Wiring of Our Brains Shapes Who We Are
19:00 – 22:00 – Stargazing with Cork Astronomy Club*

Workshops and other activities will run throughout the night from 19:00