|
Post by stevie on May 7, 2016 9:15:32 GMT
|
|
|
Post by jonathan on May 7, 2016 20:04:51 GMT
Field trip ?!!!!
|
|
|
Post by Neill on May 8, 2016 22:09:34 GMT
|
|
|
Post by skymoo on May 10, 2016 12:03:50 GMT
Looks very good and not that far away
|
|
|
Post by Simon on May 11, 2016 9:00:20 GMT
Count me on board for any observing trips to there. That's a comfortable drive for me.
It's a great bit of news.
|
|
|
Post by stevie on May 11, 2016 21:38:28 GMT
In my humble opinion, this place will be even darker than Kerry (although not as dark as Connemara). But, we would need to pick a site carefully to get the best southern views.
Strange that there has been no mention of it on the IFAS website, not the last time I looked anyway.
|
|
|
Post by Neill on May 12, 2016 12:49:27 GMT
Terry Moseley mentioned recently in his regular email updates, that the formal launch of the dark sky park is coming soon:
"The Mayo International Dark Sky Park already has some exciting events planned for the coming months, including The Mayo Dark-Sky Festival to be held 28-30 October. A formal launch event will be announced shortly and a full schedule of dark sky events and educational programmes will be available from Ballycroy National Park."
Maybe once events have confirmed, there may be more on the IFAS site.
|
|
|
Post by jasonf1 on May 12, 2016 15:57:39 GMT
Definitely worth some investigation
|
|
|
Post by Simon on May 12, 2016 19:03:11 GMT
Maybe we should plan our own party down there so it won't be over crowed. I'd be happy to go to an event but I suspect there will too many people and not enough space.
|
|
|
Post by skymoo on May 14, 2016 10:21:55 GMT
I have registered with the mayo dark sky site. Ronan Newman will send me any updates on it and i will pass them on. I hope to get down to it even for the one night.
|
|
|
Post by skymoo on Jun 21, 2016 14:53:01 GMT
Got this update from Ronan about the event looks good
Thursday. October 27th: Newport Astronomy Club meeting (speaker TBA) _____________________________________ Friday, October 28th Wine and Cheese reception for opening of the Astrophotography exhibition at the National School
Opening and Talk by Georgia MacMillan (Project Leader of the Mayo Dark Sky Park)
Talk by Martin Byrne (Sligo) on “Ancient Irish Astronomical Alignments” ______________________________________
Saturday October 28th at Hotel Newport
Talks by leading Scientists and Amateur astronomers
Entry Price only €15
1.Leo Enright (Broadcaster and Space Journalist) 2.Norah Patten (Dr. Norah Patten is adjunct faculty at the International Space University and Co-Chair of the Space Humanities Department for the Space Studies Program) 3.Tony O'Hanlon (Shannonside AC) 4.Nick James (Comet Section, British Astronomical Association, UK) 5. Eamonn Ansbro (Kingsland Observatory)
Evening dinner
After dinner talk by John O'Mahony (Shannonside AC) “Amateur Astronomy from the Southern Hemisphere” ______________________________________
Sunday October 29th
"Sunday Basics" 5x Advanced amateur astronomy 40 min workshops upstairs at the Graine Uaile Pub Entry €3 to cover refreshments
1. John McKeon "High Resolution Planetary Astrophotography" 2. Nick James: “Observing the Moon” 3. Samuel Nielsen “The Dark Art of Solar Imaging”
Two more TBA ______________________________________ Free Family afternoon
Exhibits and displays, Solar Observing, Model rocket building etc Big Bear Planetarium hourly shows
Afternoon Public Talk by Lorraine Hanlon, UCD: From Atoms to Astrophysics - How we know what we know about the Universe
Evening “Masters of the Universe” Charity Table Quiz
______________________________________
During our Dark Sky Weekend and to acknowledge our unpredictable weather we intend to hold three official observing sessions at two locations simultaneously, firstly for serious astronomers with bulky equipment in the Letterkeen wood (places limited - pre-booking required) and secondly a public event at the Burrishoole Abbey car park.
Readings from SQM meters at the Letterkeen wood regularly exceeded 21.9 mpsas and proved that under clear skies, this site excels in Visual Limiting Magnitude, Bortle Scale and Unihedron Sky Quality Meters. Here there is an old stone hut that was rebuilt in recent years and marks the trailhead of the Bangor Trail. The car park is surrounded by one of the largest forest blocks in the country and offers spectacular views of the night sky in all directions. ______________________________________
Accommodation make ref. to Dark Sky Festival
Hotel Newport Double/Twin B&B only €45 PPS p/night Approved Bord Failte local Guest Houses €40 PPS p/night
Hostels
Brannens 'Luxury guest rooms - room only - €30 PPS p/night Greenway Hostel, Dormitory rooms €20 PPS p/night
|
|
|
Post by jonathan on Jun 21, 2016 18:44:41 GMT
Definatly going to head down for the SAT night,thanks for keeping us updated Geraldine.
|
|
rn1
Cygnus
Posts: 17
|
Post by rn1 on Jun 21, 2016 21:28:09 GMT
Hi, it Ronan Newman, the organiser of the Mayo event. Yes the skies are darker than Connemara, some of the readings at Letterkeen wood were off the scale practically. Weather permitting there will be two observing sites, one at Letterkeen about 15 minutes drive from Newport, this will be for the Advanced amateur astronomers and a strictly red light event. While a second public at a local ancient Abbey carpark. Closcks go back an hour on the Saturday night too! The event I'm planning is a bit different from the normal "Starparty/Astrofest" and a mix of both. As with Galway I always had a theme and this one will be "Our Place in the Cosmos" with a conference on the Saturday and a Amateur Astronomy workshop day on the Sunday. Also doing a family day with Planetarium and a public talk, an astrophotography exhibition with two talks on the Friday evening. Ye are most welcome and I enjoyed meeting some of ye in Galway two years ago and again at the Skelligs Star Party last year. There is a hostel here in the town too and plenty of bargain priced accommodation but book early. Many thanks again for the interest in the event.If ye have any questions in relating to anything please email me at mayodarkskyfestival@gmail.com or check the updated website at mayodarkskyfestival.wordpress.com/Best Regards Ronan
|
|
|
Post by Simon on Jun 22, 2016 21:33:24 GMT
Just wanted to point out that the dates are wrong. Friday is the 26th, Saturday is the 27th etc. I was getting confused when looking up the prices of hotels.
|
|
|
Post by skymoo on Jun 23, 2016 17:23:40 GMT
Thanks Simon never noticed that!!!
|
|