Experience Truly Dark SkiesA 'No frills' Starparty
|
This year SAC are delighted to announce a new dark-sky location for our annual weekend starparty.
The beautiful Loop Head Peninsula in Co.Clare! To be held over 2 nights this September Friday 14th & Saturday 15th. This years venue is St. Cuan's N.S. Kilbaha. (20 min from Kilkee). |
What's happening
|
Friday 14th - Public talk & Observing.
8-9 PM Astronomy talk: ''You are here'' - a journey from our home planet through the solar system and beyond. Afterwards - Weather Permitting! - Club telescopes provided with guided views of The Moon, Saturn, Mars, The Andromeda Galaxy and other stellar gems. |
Saturday 15th - Observing
9PM onwards - Club scopes will also be on offer for a few hours while more experienced observes will set up their scopes and enjoy the near perfect dark condition into the wee hours. |
The Dark Skies above |
Loop Head is one of the remaining places in Ireland where you can still experience truly dark skies above.
When the weather plays ball you can see the Milky Way arching brightly overhead from horizon to horizon. expect a limiting magnitude of +7. The area has SQM reading of 22 mag./arc sec² meaning it is a Class 2 dark sky site on the Bortle Scale. |
Where to stay
There are a variety of Hotels, B&B's and Guesthouses available from Kilkee right along the peninsula as far as Loop Head lighthouse itself. Mention the Loop Head Starparty when you are booking!
About Shannonside Astronomy Club
Shannonside Astronomy Club was founded on 6th Feb 1986. We were a founding member of IFAS (The Irish Federation of Astronomical Societies). The federation encompasses clubs and societies from all over the island of Ireland with a view to mutual benefit and co-operation.
As part of our commitment to bringing astronomy to the public in the region, we provide talks for Schools, etc., and arrange occasional public gatherings for major celestial events. The main clubs activities include;
Monthly Club Meetings
Meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month in Mary Immacualte College, Limerick. The main topics are varied and are presented by both our own members and by the occasional guest speaker. New members are always welcome to come and join us. They normally take the form of the following:
Observing Sessions
Observation sessions are organized to coincide with various eventsor clear nights on a weekend night. The club has a 12" Dobsonian telescopea and a Meade 10" Schmidt Cassegrain telescope, our members also bring their own instruments. We usually observe, weather permitting of course, from one of a few dark sky sites around Limerick, from the Burren carpark in county Clare and O'Callaghans strand in Limerick city.
Yearly Starparty and Public Observing Events
Each year the club runs an annual StarParty in Clare and also public observing events throughout the counties of Limerick, Clare and Tipperary.
As part of our commitment to bringing astronomy to the public in the region, we provide talks for Schools, etc., and arrange occasional public gatherings for major celestial events. The main clubs activities include;
Monthly Club Meetings
Meetings are held on the first Thursday of every month in Mary Immacualte College, Limerick. The main topics are varied and are presented by both our own members and by the occasional guest speaker. New members are always welcome to come and join us. They normally take the form of the following:
- All the new astronomy related news and events
- A presentation detailing the night sky for the coming month.
- Tea break with light refreshments (a great chance to chat and mingle)
- Main speakers talk
Observing Sessions
Observation sessions are organized to coincide with various eventsor clear nights on a weekend night. The club has a 12" Dobsonian telescopea and a Meade 10" Schmidt Cassegrain telescope, our members also bring their own instruments. We usually observe, weather permitting of course, from one of a few dark sky sites around Limerick, from the Burren carpark in county Clare and O'Callaghans strand in Limerick city.
Yearly Starparty and Public Observing Events
Each year the club runs an annual StarParty in Clare and also public observing events throughout the counties of Limerick, Clare and Tipperary.
Room 202, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.
|
Phone: 087 6775281
|
shannonsideastroclub@gmail.com
|
