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Armagh Observatory and Planetarium's Stellar Blog!

Latest News

August 2023 Weather in Armagh

AUGUST WARMER, WETTER AND SUNNIER THAN AVERAGE.  SUMMER FOURTH WARMEST ON RECORD AT ARMAGH, ALSO WETTER AND SUNNIER THAN AVERAGE Armagh Observatory reports that August 2023 was warmer, wetter and sunnier than average. Unusually, this month also recorded the first Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 2 weeks ago
History and Heritage

UK WIDE ASTRONOMY CONFERENCE RETURNS TO ARMAGH BIRTHPLACE AFTER 15 YEARS

British Association of Planetaria Event Kicks off Series of Four Conferences at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium   September 2023 Leading astronomical research centre, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, recently hosted the British Association of Planetaria (BAP) Conference for the first time Read more…

By Anna Taylor, 2 weeks ago
Latest News

September Night Sky 2023

Written by Sinéad Mackle As the warm days of summer gradually give way to the crisp autumn air, the September night sky presents an exquisite canvas of celestial wonders for stargazers. With longer nights and clearer skies, this time of Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 3 weeksSeptember 1, 2023 ago
Latest News

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM LAUNCHES NEW INTERACTIVE OUTDOOR ACTIVITY  

AOP recently announced the introduction of a new interactive outdoor activity comprised of two routes. The astronomy-themed Cosmo Lost in Space trail is for children, whilst Astropark Journey, an augmented reality trail, is for an adult audience. Designed by Brilliant Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 1 monthAugust 11, 2023 ago
Latest News

July 2023 Weather in Armagh

Armagh Observatory reports that July 2023 was much wetter than average, and cooler than June.  It was also duller than average, and had an exceptionally low mean atmospheric pressure for July. Total precipitation was 138.75 mm (5.46 inches) including three Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 1 month ago
Latest News

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium set to livestream world famous CHRISTMAS LECTURES

The world-famous CHRISTMAS LECTURES are coming to Armagh Observatory and Planetarium in December, when AOP streams the live filming, direct from the Royal Institution (Ri) theatre in London. Watched by millions on the BBC, the annual CHRISTMAS LECTURES are a Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 2 months ago
Monthly Sky Notes

August Night Sky 2023

  This month will hopefully have pleasant weather and allow us to go stargazing at night. While the days are still long and less harsh than the winter months, it will be easier to see the stars later, when it Read more…

By Anna Taylor, 2 monthsAugust 4, 2023 ago
Latest News

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM LAUNCHES BRITISH AND IRISH SIGN LANGUAGE ACCESSIBILITY DOME SHOWS

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM LAUNCHES BRITISH AND IRISH SIGN LANGUAGE ACCESSIBILITY DOME SHOWS Leading astronomical research centre, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, screened its CAPCOM GO! The Apollo Story Dome Show in British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL) Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 2 months ago
Press Releases

June Weather Report 2023

FLAMING JUNE: HOTTEST JUNE ON RECORD AT ARMAGH, DRIEST FOR 8 YEARS AND SUNNIEST FOR 14 YEARS Armagh Observatory reports that June 2023 was the warmest June at Armagh for at least 228 years.  The month was also much sunnier Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 2 months ago
Latest News

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM SPEARHEADS GROUNDBREAKING STUDY OF MASSIVE STARS

An international collaboration of astronomers led by Armagh Observatory and Planetarium has launched a groundbreaking study into the most massive stars in our local dwarf galaxies, the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds. Led by the organisation’s Professor Jorick Vink, the Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 2 monthsJuly 19, 2023 ago
Latest News

ESA’s Plato mission selects first patch of sky to observe

The first planet to be discovered around a regular star was made in 1995 and orbits its host star 51 Peg every 4.2 days. In the nearly 30 years since the first discovery of an exoplanet (as planets orbiting stars Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 2 months ago
Press Releases

GOTO Kilonova Seekers Citizen Science Project Launched

Regular readers of these notes may have heard of the Gravitational-wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO) project which aims to detect the optical counterpart of Gravitational Wave events. These events are due to the collision of neutron stars, or a neutron Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 2 monthsJuly 12, 2023 ago
Latest News

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM CELEBRATES AS ASTEROIDS ARE NAMED AFTER ASTRONOMERS

Leading astronomical research and education centre, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, has announced that two of its Visiting Astronomers, Aswin Sekhar and Galin Borisov, have had asteroids named after them by the International Astronomical Union on June 21st. The honours were Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 2 monthsJuly 10, 2023 ago
Latest News

PUPILS CELEBRATE GRADUATION FROM ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM’S INAUGURAL AFTER SCHOOL CLUB

Leading Astronomical Research Centre Concludes STEM Programme For 7 to 11 Year Olds June 2023 Globally recognised astronomical research centre, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, held a graduation ceremony on June 27th in its 360-degree dome to mark the conclusion of Read more…

By Anna Taylor, 3 monthsJuly 5, 2023 ago
July

July Night Sky

Hopefully during this month we will have some nice, dry weather for stargazing and warmer evenings to do it with! As July have longer days, you will be well into the night before you will get to see anything in Read more…

By Lovisa Redpath, 3 monthsJuly 1, 2023 ago
Gavin Ramsay

ESA due to launch Euclid this weekend

The first launch window for the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Euclid satellite will come into view on Saturday July 1st at 16.12 BST. Euclid should originally have been launched on a Soyuz launcher from French Guyana, but because of the Russian Read more…

By Gavin Ramsay, 3 monthsJune 30, 2023 ago
Press Releases

WARM, DRY MAY, DULLER THAN AVERAGE. WETTEST SPRING FOR 21 YEARS, WARMEST FOR 6 YEARS AND DULLER THAN AVERAGE

Armagh Observatory, 15th June 2023: Armagh Observatory reports that May 2023 was much warmer and drier than average, but slightly duller. Taking March, April, and May together the meteorological spring was the wettest at Armagh for 21 years, the warmest Read more…

By Anna Taylor, 3 monthsJune 22, 2023 ago
Latest News

AOP awarded funding through the “Our World from Space” programme

Space science programme ‘Our World From Space’ will be launching in 22 science centres and museums this summer! This exciting 2-year national programme, created and developed by the Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC) and a specialist project team, Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 3 months ago
History and Heritage

Science and the Arts meet at AOP

As a long-standing Arts & Humanities student, it’s typically assumed that we don’t have much of an interest in or know much about science (and attending the fascinating and complex student discussions here at the AOP certainly didn’t disprove the Read more…

By Anna Taylor, 3 monthsJune 9, 2023 ago
Latest News

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM ANNOUNCES SERIES OF SUMMER EVENTS

We have announced a number of family friendly events that will take place on site during the summer holidays of July and August 2023. These will include: Planet Roar Live Dinosaur Show. Running at 10:30am, 12:30pm and 3:00pm from 18th Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 4 months ago
Latest News

Join our Board as a Boardroom Apprentice

Applications For Boardroom Apprentice 2023 Are Open Applications for this year’s Boardroom Apprentice programme are now open and available on the official Boardroom Apprentice website. Open to those aged 16 or over from all backgrounds and all abilities, this unique Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 4 months ago
Latest News

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM ANNOUNCES UNPRECEDENTED FOOTFALL INCREASE

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium have welcomed a record 72,000 visitors during 2022/23. This is a significant increase from the annual average of between 50,000 and 55,000 visitors and includes a surge in non term time footfall. The unprecedented rise in Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 4 months ago
June

June Night Sky

Welcome to another edition of the night sky for the month of June! If like me you’re glad to have finally shaken off the coldest of this year’s weather to date -then the thought of some comfortable longer periods of Read more…

By Nick Parke, 4 monthsJune 2, 2023 ago
Press Releases

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium to present Robinson Medal for Science to Astronomer Royal

Leading Astronomical Research Centre to Give Accolade in Dublin on May 26th Globally recognised astronomical research institute, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, is set to present the Robinson Medal for Science to the Astronomer Royal, Lord Martin Rees, at a formal Read more…

By Heather Alexander, 4 months ago
Gavin Ramsay

Armagh Astronomers hunting for Cosmic Explosions

Armagh is a partner in two telescope projects whose key goal is to detect the optical counterpart of colliding massive dead stars. Albert Einstein predicted that when two massive objects spiral around each other, eventually merging to become one more Read more…

By Gavin Ramsay, 4 months ago
Press Releases

APRIL WARMER, DULLER AND WETTER THAN AVERAGE

Armagh Observatory, 6th May 2023: Armagh Observatory reports that April 2023 was warmer than average but slightly duller and wetter. The mean temperature was 9.50 degrees Celsius (49.11 Fahrenheit), approximately 1.6 C warmer than the 225-year long-term (1796–2020) April average Read more…

By Anna Taylor, 4 monthsMay 10, 2023 ago
May

May Night Sky 2023

“To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter. To be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest Read more…

By Anna Taylor, 5 monthsMay 1, 2023 ago
Human Exploration

Top 5 Scariest Exoplanets

We all know about the planets in our solar system inside and out (especially if you’ve been to the planetarium!), but what about those mysterious and spooky bodies in a galaxy far far away…? There are many planets outside our Read more…

By Anna Taylor, 5 monthsApril 28, 2023 ago
Latest News

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM CREATES BOLD FUTURE FOR LOCAL SEN COMMUNITY

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, was recently announced as one of seven organisations to have been awarded a Bold Futures grant by the Association for Science and Discovery Centres. The organisation will use the grant to engage with the local special Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 5 months ago
Gavin Ramsay

ESA successfully launches JUICE probe

by AOP Astronomer Gavin Ramsay Today the European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launched its Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission from Kourou in French Guiana on an Ariane 5 launcher after it was delayed for a day due to a Read more…

By Apostolos Christou, 5 months ago
Human Exploration

The Absurdity and Possible Reality of a Radio Telescope on the Moon   

What once sounded like a story from science fiction is now quickly becoming a scientific reality, with privately funded projects and NASA-supported studies into the feasibility of a radio dish nestled inside a lunar crater.   There are two issues which Read more…

By Anna Taylor, 5 monthsApril 14, 2023 ago
Latest News

WETTEST MARCH ON RECORD AT ARMAGH, DULLER AND SLIGHTLY WARMER THAN AVERAGE

Armagh Observatory, 3rd April 2023:  Armagh Observatory reports that March 2023 was the wettest March on record at Armagh, that is, since daily rainfall measurements began at Armagh in 1838. The month was also duller and slightly warmer than average. Read more…

By Anna Taylor, 6 monthsApril 7, 2023 ago
Latest News

April Night Sky 2023

“April is the kindest month. April gets you out of your head and out working in the garden.” – Marty Rubin, Author. It is Springtime, and I’m sure we are all very glad to see the back of winter. With Read more…

By Heather Alexander, 6 monthsApril 1, 2023 ago
Latest News

Asteroid Bites the Dust

Astronomers of the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (AOP) have been part of one of the many teams around the world studying the outcome of the Double-Asteroid Redirection Test (DART): a space mission designed to test the human capability of deflecting Read more…

By Anna Taylor, 6 monthsMarch 30, 2023 ago
Solar System

Hot off the press: Venus has active volcanoes

Those of us out and about on Spring evenings have been treated to a brilliant beacon of light above the western horizon. This is the planet Venus, our closest solar system neighbour. Venus has been called Earth’s “evil twin”, in Read more…

By Apostolos Christou, 6 monthsMarch 28, 2023 ago
Latest News

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM LAUNCHES IRISH LANGUAGE ACCESSIBILITY DOME SHOW

Leading astronomical research centre, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, screened its CapCom Go Dome Show in Irish for the first time during global Irish language festival, Seachtain na Gaeilge, The launch of CapCom Go as Gaeilge, on 8th March 2023, was Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 6 months ago
Latest News

Asteroid 2023DW – football pitch sized asteroid to strike in 2046?

Article written by: Prof. Jorick Vink, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium.   According to the European Space Agency (ESA) there is a 1-in-625 chance that Asteroid 2023DW, with the size of a Football pitch, can strike Earth on Valentine’s Day 2046. Read more…

By Heather Alexander, 6 months ago
Latest News

Family Friendly Events to Take Place on Site at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium

We have announced that a number of family friendly Dome Shows will take place on site during the Easter break, from 5th to 16th April 2023. These will include: The Astronaut George Toddler Dome Show. Running daily at 10:30am from Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 6 monthsMarch 13, 2023 ago
History and Heritage

The Objects Collection- Brass and Glass  

Article by: Matthew McMahon, Museum Collections Officer    Brass might not have the appeal of other rich metals, like gold or silver, but ask anyone that has spent time around an old observatory and they will tell you that brass Read more…

By Heather Alexander, 7 monthsMarch 10, 2023 ago
Latest News

FEBRUARY DULLER THAN AVERAGE BUT DRIEST AND WARMEST AT ARMAGH FOR 25 YEARS

FEBRUARY DULLER THAN AVERAGE BUT DRIEST AND WARMEST AT ARMAGH FOR 25 YEARS. WINTER 2022/2023 DRIER AND WARMER THAN AVERAGE, WITH ABOUT AVERAGE SUNSHINE. Armagh Observatory reports that February 2023 was duller than average but the driest and warmest February Read more…

By Heather Alexander, 7 months ago
History and Heritage

The Life of Thomas Romney Robinson

Article by: Mark Grimley Thomas Romney-Robinson was the third director of the Armagh Observatory, long before the building of the Planetarium. He was born in Dublin in 1792 and became director of the Armagh Observatory in 1823. An office that Read more…

By Anna Taylor, 7 monthsMarch 3, 2023 ago
Latest News

March Night Sky 2023

Article by: Mark Grimley   To make things a little easier for us to stargaze it will be helpful to head out of town for a bit, somewhere with less light pollution will allow us to see more stars. For Read more…

By Heather Alexander, 7 months ago
Latest News

JANUARY WARMER, DRIER AND SUNNIER THAN AVERAGE

Armagh Observatory, 3rd February 2023: Armagh Observatory reports that January 2023 was warmer and slightly drier than average, though feeling damp, and sunnier than average. Total precipitation was 65.1 mm (2.56 inches) including 4 trace values, that is, 64.9 mm Read more…

By Heather Alexander, 8 monthsFebruary 6, 2023 ago
Latest News

Ultra-hot Hydrogen Molecules in Interstellar Space – Part 1

Solving a 40 year cosmic mystery about interstellar gas only to uncover an even deeper one. Author: Michael Burton, Director of the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium Hydrogen molecules have been found in clouds of shocked gas in interstellar space that Read more…

By Michael Burton, 8 monthsFebruary 6, 2023 ago
Milky Way

Ultra-hot Hydrogen Molecules in Interstellar Space – Part 2

Want to know more detail about the research described in this Astronotes article on ultra-hot hydrogen molecules? Here are five papers spanning more than four decades of research that helped lead to this discovery of ultra-hot molecular hydrogen: Velocity profiles in the 2.1 Read more…

By Michael Burton, 8 monthsFebruary 6, 2023 ago
Latest News

February Night Sky 2023

Article by: Lovisa Redpath   Thankfully, the LONGEST month in the year is behind us, we finally have money again, and we are in February! With, hopefully, nice clear night skies I will tell you what you can see throughout Read more…

By Heather Alexander, 8 monthsFebruary 1, 2023 ago
Latest News

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM ANNOUNCES A SERIES OF EVENTS TO KICK OFF THE NEW YEAR

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium has announced that a number of family friendly events will take place on site from 26 to 28 January 2023. These will be: A Star Tracker evening, which will take place on 26th January. Suitable for Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 8 monthsJanuary 20, 2023 ago
Latest News

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM SPEARHEADS DISCOVERY OF NEW STARS

World renowned astronomical research centre, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, has co-authored a research paper that announces the discovery of eight new and very hot stars with effective temperatures exceeding 100,000K.   Published by the Royal Astronomical Society, the paper* is Read more…

By Anna Taylor, 9 monthsJanuary 9, 2023 ago
Latest News

DECEMBER COOLER, SUNNIER AND DRIER THAN AVERAGE. 2O22 CALENDAR YEAR: WARMEST YEAR ON RECORD AT ARMAGH, SUNNIER THAN AVERAGE AND WITH NEAR AVERAGE RAINFALL

Armagh Observatory, 7th January 2023. Armagh Observatory reports that December 2022 was cooler, sunnier and drier than average. This was the coolest December at Armagh for 12 years and the fourth-coolest December at Armagh during the last 40 years. Considering Read more…

By Heather Alexander, 9 months ago
Image of Crab Nebula
Milky Way

January Night Sky 2023

So, party season is over and we’re looking towards a long, cold January before the weather starts to heat up again. However, January is a great time to go stargazing as the nights are long and we can start our Read more…

By Anna Taylor, 9 monthsJanuary 9, 2023 ago
Latest News

RECORD-BREAKING NOVEMBER. SUNNIEST NOVEMBER AT ARMAGH FOR 98 YEARS!

RECORD-BREAKING NOVEMBER.  SUNNIEST NOVEMBER AT ARMAGH FOR 98 YEARS, WARMEST FOR 11 YEARS, AND WETTEST FOR 4 YEARS.  AUTUMN 2022 THE SECOND WARMEST ON RECORD AT ARMAGH, THE THIRD WETTEST AND THE SUNNIEST AT ARMAGH FOR 19 YEARS.   Armagh Read more…

By Heather Alexander, 9 months ago
Latest News

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium to mark Apollo 17 Anniversary

We are set to celebrate the 50th anniversary of NASA’s Apollo 17 Moon landing with a Star Tracker Evening on December 14th. The event will include a talk, a Dome Show and stargazing. During the talk, visitors will learn about The Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 9 months ago
History and Heritage

The William Frederick Archdale Ellison Collection

Written by Matthew McMahon, Museum Collections Officer  On the 15 October 1918, a new Director took up the reins of Armagh Observatory. William Frederick Archdale Ellison arrived in Armagh having visited over the summer before formerly taking up his appointment. Read more…

By Courtney Allison, 10 monthsDecember 9, 2022 ago
December

December Night Sky 2022

Written by Education Assistant Mark Grimley Looking At The Stars  Festive lights to starlight might be the setting for us to relax to at the end of the year. During these darker months we might get the chance to see Read more…

By Courtney Allison, 10 months ago
Press Releases

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium to live screen famed Christmas lectures from The Royal Institution

Event to Take Place on Site in the Planetarium on 13th and 15th December Armagh Observatory and Planetarium has announced that it is set to live screen the famous Christmas Lectures from the Royal Institution. The screenings will take place in the Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 10 months ago
Press Releases

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY RECEIVES UK WIDE MUSEUM ACCREDITATION

Astronomical Research Centre Recognised by UK Museum Accreditation Scheme Leading centre for astronomical research, Armagh Observatory, has today announced that it has received accreditation from the NI Museums Council under the UK Museum Accreditation Scheme. The Observatory now joins a Read more…

By Courtney Allison, 10 monthsNovember 25, 2022 ago
astronomers

An Astronomer’s Trip

Written by AOP PhD Candidate Chris Duffy Although much of the work of a modern astronomer is behind a desk number crunching and working out what our data is telling us, there are also opportunities to be involved in taking Read more…

By Courtney Allison, 10 monthsNovember 25, 2022 ago
Press Releases

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM RECEIVES BRONZE DIVERSITY MARK ACCREDITATION

Accolade Recognises Organisation’s Inclusive Culture World renowned astronomical research centre, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, has been awarded Bronze Diversity Mark accreditation by Diversity Mark NI. The organisation was recognised for its efforts to embody diversity, equality and inclusion. The awarding Read more…

By Courtney Allison, 10 months ago
History and Heritage

Rare Books in Focus – Part One

Matthew McMahon – Museum Collections Officer Armagh Observatory and Planetarium holds 249 books that have been designated as part of a specific Rare and Antiquarian Book collection. There are many more books in the historic collection that are also very Read more…

By Courtney Allison, 10 monthsNovember 11, 2022 ago
Latest News

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM SHOW TO BE SCREENED AT FDUK 2022 FESTIVAL

Globally renowned astronomical research centre, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, has announced that its planetarium full dome show, ‘Our Place in the Cosmos’ is set to be screened at the Fulldome UK 2022 (FDUK 2022) festival in Plymouth between 4th to Read more…

By Courtney Allison, 11 months ago
Press Releases

WETTEST OCTOBER FOR 11 YEARS, MUCH WARMER THAN AVERAGE, ABOUT AVERAGE SUNSHINE

Armagh Observatory reports that October 2022 was much wetter and warmer than average and with roughly average sunshine. This was the wettest October at Armagh for 11 years and probably the fourth-wettest October at Armagh since daily rainfall records began Read more…

By Courtney Allison, 11 months ago
November

November Night Sky 2022

Written by Senior Education Officer Ria Mee The cold and dark nights have well and truly settled in, and if you’re anything like me you have the fire going every night and the kettle is never off! Oh, I do Read more…

By Courtney Allison, 11 monthsNovember 4, 2022 ago
Earth

A Halloween Meteor Shower Special: The Taurid Swarm

At certain times of the year, the Earth passes through streams of dust left behind by comets, leading to a natural fireworks display: a meteor shower. One of the best-known is the August Perseids; at the peak of the shower, Read more…

By Apostolos Christou, 11 monthsOctober 28, 2022 ago
Press Releases

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM EMPLOYEE TAKES ADDITIONAL ROLE WITH PLANETARIA ASSOCIATION

Education and Outreach Manager, Sinead Mackle, Takes Up UK Wide Post Sinead Mackle, Education and Outreach Manager at world renowned astronomical research centre, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, is set to take up the voluntary post of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Read more…

By Courtney Allison, 11 months ago
Press Releases

WETTEST SEPTEMBER AT ARMAGH FOR 12 YEARS, WARMER THAN AVERAGE AND SUNNIEST FOR 25 YEARS

Armagh Observatory, 6th October 2022:  Armagh Observatory reports that September 2022 was much wetter than average, the wettest September at Armagh for 12 years.  It was also warmer and sunnier than average, the sunniest September at Armagh since 1997.   Read more…

By Courtney Allison, 11 months ago
History and Heritage

William Herschel — Measuring Sunspots With A Field of Wheat

Written by Chris Duffy, PhD Candidate AOP William Herschel, who died 200 years ago this year, is famous for a number of things we take for granted in modern astronomy, not least his discovery of Uranus in 1781 the first Read more…

By Courtney Allison, 11 monthsOctober 14, 2022 ago
Solar System

JWST First Light – What is it and What Will We do with it?

Written by Nick Parke, Education Officer Yes, the JWST is now in space! You may be pinching yourself to be sure the images we are seeing from the James Webb Space Telescope are actually real – don’t worry, they are! Read more…

By Courtney Allison, 11 monthsOctober 14, 2022 ago
Solar System

Everything You Need to Know About Dwarf Planets

Written by Education Assistant Mark Grimley Today we are going to talk about some lesser-known bodies in our solar system – and one that you might still be upset about. These are the dwarf planets in our part of the Read more…

By Courtney Allison, 12 monthsOctober 7, 2022 ago
Latest News

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium exhibits innovative intern display

An innovative ‘Puffersphere’ display created by an Armagh Observatory and Planetarium summer intern was unveiled in the Planetarium exhibition space this month.  Titled ‘Observatories of the World,’ the spherical exhibit was created by Daniella Belo, a pupil at St Patrick’s Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 12 months ago
Latest News

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium unveils new Climate Exhibition

We have unveiled a new Climate Exhibition, inspired by the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26,) the permanent display was created by the organisation to raise awareness of climate change. Currently situated onsite in The Copernicus Hall, the mobile exhibit explores Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 12 monthsOctober 4, 2022 ago
October

October Night Sky 2022

Written by Anna Taylor   Well, folks, the nights are drawing in again and it really feels like autumn now. The autumn equinox has come and gone, and we are slowly heading towards the winter solstice; the very shortest day Read more…

By Anna Taylor, 12 monthsOctober 1, 2022 ago
Latest News

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM HOSTS GLOBAL RESEARCH CONFERENCE

World Renowned Astronomical Research Centre Welcomed UK and International Delegates Globally recognised astronomical research centre, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, recently played host to research networking project, Observatory Sites and Networks since 1780. The initiative, which united UK and international scholars Read more…

By Courtney Allison, 12 months ago
September

September Night Sky 2022

Written by Nick Parke Well hello again and welcome to another edition of the night sky for the month of September! Hoping that you’ve been able to enjoy plenty of long summer days and sunshine over the summer period. Perhaps Read more…

By Courtney Allison, 1 yearSeptember 14, 2022 ago
Press Releases

August Weather 2022

RECORD-BREAKING AUGUST AT ARMAGH: DRIEST FOR 19 YEARS, WARMEST FOR 25 YEARS, AND SUNNIEST FOR 27 YEARS. SUMMER 2022 MUCH WARMER THAN AVERAGE, DRIEST FOR 27 YEARS, AND SLIGHTLY SUNNIER THAN AVERAGE. Armagh Observatory reports that August 2022 was the Read more…

By Courtney Allison, 1 year ago
Latest News

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY ANNOUNCES RECORD FOOTFALL

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (AOP) has announced record footfall as it marks its first anniversary since unveiling its newly redeveloped visitor experience. The globally recognised astronomical research facility saw footfall reach a decade high of 17,000 in July 2022. The Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 1 yearSeptember 8, 2022 ago
Press Releases

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM ANNOUNCES NEXT BOARDROOM APPRENTICE

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (AOP) has announced 34-year-old Armagh native, Peter McNeill as its next Boardroom Apprentice. Appointed in June 2022, Peter is the fourth person to have been selected for the role in as many years. Peter, who has Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 1 yearSeptember 8, 2022 ago
Latest News

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM TO INSPIRE PRIMARY PUPILS WITH STEM TOURS

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium has recommenced its popular two-hour visits for primary school pupils. Led by one of the organisation’s Education team members, each tour will consist of one hour spent in the Dome Theatre, a 30-minute workshop and a Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 1 yearSeptember 8, 2022 ago
Latest News

“MISSION SANTA” BLASTS OFF AGAIN FOR CHRISTMAS 2022

Following on from last year’s success, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is once again planning an out of this world experience for families across Northern Ireland as it launches this year’s Mission Santa event. Ready to blast off for its third Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 1 yearSeptember 1, 2022 ago
Latest News

Translink teams up with local charities to give families in need the gift of summer

Translink has teamed up with The Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul to offer free family travel and attraction passes to selected families in need as part of its Little Explorers campaign. Several local attractions have generously donated family Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 1 year ago
Latest News

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM TO LIVESTREAM ARTEMIS I LAUNCH

Astronomy Facility to Showcase Historic NASA Event on 29th August Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is set to live stream NASA’s Artemis I Mission Launch between 1.33pm and 3:33pm on Monday 29th August. The ticketed event, which will take place at Read more…

By Courtney Allison, 1 year ago
Latest News

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY TO CELEBRATE LIFE OF WILLIAM HERSCHEL WITH LIVE CONCERT

200th Anniversary Performance to Honour Astronomer and Composer Who Discovered Uranus on Friday 19th August starting at 6.30pm Armagh Observatory & Planetarium (AOP) is set to hold a live music event in its dome on 19th August 2022 to commemorate Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 1 yearAugust 9, 2022 ago
History and Heritage

William John Roberts – Engineer, Astronomer, Linguist and Theologian

Written by Collections Officer, Matthew McMahon Armagh Observatory is no stranger to the amateur astronomer, and its history has been shaped, and preserved by numerous amateurs over the years such as Rev. Ellison, Patrick Corvan and many others. Today we Read more…

By Courtney Allison, 1 yearAugust 9, 2022 ago
Earth

Did the young Earth have company?

Written by Apostolos Christou As far as astronomers know, the Earth is alone in its annual trek round the Sun – that is, apart from its natural satellite: the Moon. But our current understanding of how the solar system formed Read more…

By Apostolos Christou, 1 yearAugust 8, 2022 ago
August

The Night Sky in August 2022

Written by Lovisa Redpath, Education Assistant Hello to all you stargazers! As we are now heading into August, this is a great time for you all to look up (depending on weather conditions of course – as we do live Read more…

By Courtney Allison, 1 yearAugust 6, 2022 ago
Latest News

July 2022 Weather in Armagh

DULL, DRY JULY, WARMER THAN AVERAGE Armagh Observatory reports that apart from the exceptionally dull July 2020 this July at Armagh had the fewest hours of strong sunshine for 29 years.  It was also the driest at Armagh for 22 Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 1 year ago
Press Releases

Public Names ‘Moonikin’ Flying Around Moon on NASA’s Artemis I Mission

“Commander Moonikin Campos” is the official name of the manikin launching on Artemis I, NASA’s uncrewed flight test of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft around the Moon later this year. The Moonikin received its name as the Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 1 year ago
Other Galaxies

The Unluckiest Astronomer in History

Article by Ed Snowdon Whether you are a researcher gathering data, or a hobbyist taking photos from your back garden, astronomy has always required a certain amount of good luck. Instruments can be uncooperative, data can be lost or damaged, Read more…

By Apostolos Christou, 1 yearAugust 1, 2022 ago
Latest News

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM PARTNERS WITH LIBRARIES NI TO GIFT ALL NI LIBRARIES FREE SCIENCE BOOKS

Armagh Observatory & Planetarium (AOP) has partnered with Libraries NI to distribute across the province 200 free copies of its brand-new children’s science book, “Big Book of Experiments and Bright Ideas.” Designed and written by AOP staff, the book was Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 1 year ago
Press Releases

ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM KEY PARTNER IN NEW TELESCOPE FOR GRAVITATIONAL WAVE EVENTS

An international collaboration of ten partners, including Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, has developed an innovative new telescope, made up of two identical arrays on opposite sides of the planet, which will track down sources of gravitational waves such as merging Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 1 year ago
Latest News

Armagh Observatory & Planetarium announces bid submission for World Heritage Status

Armagh Observatory & Planetarium, in partnership with the Irish astronomical observatories at Birr in Co Offlay, and Dunsink in Dublin, have submitted the first stage of a bid aiming for nomination for UNESCO World Heritage status.  The application is to Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 1 year ago
Latest News

Armagh astronomers at UK National Astronomy Meeting

Written by Gavin Ramsay A number of Armagh astronomers travelled this week to the University of Warwick in England to take part in the first `in-person’ UK National Astronomy Meeting since 2019. Over 800 people participated either in person or Read more…

By Apostolos Christou, 1 yearJuly 16, 2022 ago
Latest News

Webb reveals “Cosmic Cliffs” – a glittering landscape of star birth

The NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope reveals emerging stellar nurseries and individual stars in Carina Nebula that were previously obscured. The new images showcase how Webb’s cameras can peer through cosmic dust, shedding new light on how stars form. Objects Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 1 yearJuly 13, 2022 ago
Latest News

First images from Webb telescope reveal unseen Universe

The dawn of a new era in astronomy has begun as the world gets its first look at the full capabilities of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope. The telescope’s first full-colour images and spectroscopic data, which uncover a spectacular collection Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 1 yearJuly 13, 2022 ago
Latest News

JUNE 2022 DRIER, WARMER AND DULLER THAN AVERAGE

Armagh Observatory reports that  June 2022 was drier, warmer and duller than average. Total precipitation was 56.1 mm (2.21 inches), including 6 trace  values, that is, 55.8 mm (2.20 inches) if trace values are ignored. This was approximately 88% of the Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 1 year ago
Latest News

Prospecting for Interstellar Oil

Burcu Gunay, Ege University, Turkey We have developed a new method to look for carbon compounds in space, akin to prospecting for oil on Earth. Between the stars lie vast amounts of interstellar gas and dust, spread thinly throughout our Read more…

By Michael Burton, 1 yearJuly 8, 2022 ago
Our Galaxy

Space, Time and Gravity

Written by Gautham Sabhahit Over a century ago, Albert Einstein formulated his general theory of relativity (GR, also called Einstein’s theory of gravitation) describing the motion of objects in space and time under the influence of nearby matter and radiation. Read more…

By Apostolos Christou, 1 yearJuly 5, 2022 ago
July

The Night Sky – July 2022

Written by Mark Grimley Stargazing  July will hopefully treat us to pleasant weather for stargazing and some warmer evenings to do it. With the long days, it will be a little bit later before we can see the much in Read more…

By Courtney Allison, 1 yearJuly 1, 2022 ago
Latest News

Incredible 5-planet Parade in the sky that won’t be seen again until 2040

A super spectacle is happening in the night sky from this evening and won’t be seen again until 2040. The five planets — known as “naked eye planets” because they can be seen without the use of binoculars or telescopes Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 1 yearJune 23, 2022 ago
Latest News

BRICKOSAURS HAS ROARED INTO ARMAGH PLANETARIUM MAKING ITS NI DEBUT

Visitors to Armagh Observatory and Planetarium this weekend were treated to the arrival of dozens of prehistoric toy brick dinosaurs. This is the first time the Brickosaurs! Evolution has been showcased in Northern Ireland with over 20 species within the Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 1 year ago
Latest News

May 2022 Weather in Armagh

WARMER, DULLER AND SLIGHTLY WETTER THAN AVERAGE.  SPRING 2022 WARMER, SUNNIER AND DRIER THAN AVERAGE Armagh Observatory reports that May 2022 was warmer, duller and slightly wetter than average.  Taking March, April and May together, the meteorological spring was warmer, Read more…

By Sinead Mackle, 1 year ago

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RSS Intergalactic Craic
  • S3Ep5 - Craic with all these moons?
    Heather and her new co-host Dr Rok are back! Taking time out of their busy schedules they have recorded an episode all about the dramatic increase to the number of moons of the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn! They also delve into their own busy schedules and explain everything there is to know about AOP's […]
  • S3Ep4 - Wee Bitta Craic: Bout Ye Alice?
    This month is the final 'getting to know you' episode of Intergalactic Craic: Wee Bitta Craic. Ethan and Zuri interview Alice and ask her all about how she came to be doing her PhD at AOP. Find out this and more in this info packed episode!
  • S3Ep3 - Wee Bitta Craic: Bout Ye Ethan?
    In Wee Bitta Craic this month, Zuri and Alice ask Ethan all about his PhD and how he came to be at the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium. Find out more about his research and laugh along as the guys have some more quality craic. If you love listening to our students, then you can help […]
Welcome to Astronotes

Hello and welcome to Astronotes, the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium’s official blog. Here you will find the latest news and views from all those who work in our organisation, from the fascinating worlds of astronomy and space exploration. We hope you will come here to learn what is hot and exciting, profound or even weird from worlds beyond ours . So that's the introduction out of the way, now on with the Universe!

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