From: TerryMosel
aol.com
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 18:58:38 EST
Subject: IAA Lecture, Armagh Obs Events
Hi all,
1. The next IAA meeting will be on Wed 3 March, when David Sinden will give a
public lecture entitled "Massive Optics". The meeting commences at 7.30 p.m.,
in Lecture Room 5, Stranmillis College, Stranmillis Road, Belfast.
David is director of Sinden Optical Co, which 'took over' the bulk of the
famous Grubb-Parsons Optical Works in England, after a long association with
that firm. And of course Grubb Parsons originated in Ireland: two of the most
famous telescope makers in the history of astronomy. David has been involved in
making the optics of some of the world's great telescopes, and what he
doesn't know about the subject could be written on the back of an eyepiece.
He will be bringing various optical items with him, so it promises to be a
fascinating evening!
Admission is free, including light refreshments,and all are welcome.
2. Prof Mark Bailey, Director of Armagh Observatory, has asked me to
circulate the following information:
Armagh Observatory Future Events
In the period leading up to Easter, the Armagh Observatory is hosting, or
co-hosting as part of other events, two Public Lectures (both in the Rotunda
Lecture Theatre, St Patrick's Trian, Armagh) and two Tours of the Armagh
Observatory and the Armagh Observatory Grounds and Astropark.
The Public Lectures are as follows:
1. Wednesday, 17 March 2004 (St. Patrick's Day); @ 19:30 in The Rotunda
Lecture Theatre, St Patrick's Trian, Armagh: "Patrick, Comets and Christianity"
by Professor Mike Baillie (Queen's University Belfast).
2. Thursday, 1 April 2004, @ 20:00 in The Rotunda Lecture Theatre, St
Patrick's Trian, Armagh: "Mars: New Opportunities and Challenges for European
Space Science" by Michael McKay (European Space Agency, ESTEC, The
Netherlands)
The Tours of the Armagh Observatory and the Armagh Observatory Grounds and
Astropark are on Wednesday 17 March 2004 and Saturday 3 April 2004.
Please note that advance booking is necessary in order to guarantee a
place on any of these tours, although all who turn up on the day will be
accommodated if possible. Tours of the Observatory will last approximately 45 minutes;
tours of the Observatory Grounds and Astropark will last a similar amount of
time.
* Tours on Wednesday 17 March will be provided at: 11:00, 12:00, 14:00,
15:00 and 16:00
* Tours on Saturday 3 April will be provided at: 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00
In order to obtain tickets for any of these events, please write, telephone
or send an e-mail to: Mrs Aileen McKee, Armagh Observatory, College Hill,
Armagh, BT61 9DG; Tel: 028-3752-2928; Fax: 028-3752-7174; e-mail:
ambn@arm.ac.uk.
[Note: Mike Baillie is the author of "Exodus to Arthur", one of the most
fascinating books I have ever read: in spite of the title, it has a strongly
astronomical theme: IAA members have been lucky enough to hear one of his excellent
lectures already. Mike McKay, with local connections, has also given an
excellent lecture here before, so both should be well worth hearing. T.M.]
Clear Skies,
Terry Moseley
