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. He and his family may have looked on their move Read more…
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 some stars a little more clearly with less light pollution Read more…
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 much larger community, both locally in Armagh and beyond. Armagh Read more…
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 that data. At AOP we have recently joined there BlackGEM Read more…
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 body of the Diversity Mark accreditation, Diversity Mark aims to Read more…
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 old, however these 249 manuscripts represent over four hundred years Read more…
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 13th November 2022. One of 35 entries selected from amongst Read more…
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 in 1838. Total measured precipitation was 149.45 mm (5.88 inches) Read more…
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 love a hot cuppa tea to warm my bones on Read more…
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) Officer with the UK and ROI based Council of the Read more…
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. Total September precipitation was 110.35 mm (4.34 inches) including 5 Read more…
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 planet discovered in the modern era of astronomy. Less known Read more…
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! After this 30 year long wait though, your disbelief is Read more…
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 ‘neighbourhood.’ But first I want to clear a few things Read more…
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 who research observatory histories, conducted its final two-day workshop in Read more…
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 you’re already anticipating with pleasure some cooler evening temperatures and Read more…
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 driest at Armagh since August 2003, the warmest since August Read more…
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 Armagh Planetarium will see visitors experience the launch in real Read more…
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 are commemorating another amateur astronomer, who passed away eighty years Read more…
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 in the UK)! We are drifting away from Summer slightly Read more…
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 the night sky. So, you will have more time to Read more…
June night sky has plenty to offer – as long as you don’t wish for long, dark nights, that is; those are rather hard to come by in the month of the summer solstice! This means I’ll be talking mainly about things that don’t need a lot of darkness to Read more…
Returning for the first time since the pandemic, the International Astronomical Union hosted IAU Symposium 361: Massive Stars Near and Far; in the Slieve Russell; with Armagh Observatory and Planetarium taking part in the research discussions and educational outreach. This international conference bought together over 230 observational and theoretical astrophysicists Read more…
Astronomers using a network of radio telescopes across the entire planet have finally been able to take the first picture of the supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way. Members of the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium were present to hear this news live. Commenting from Read more…
One the most common problems when someone begins doing research in Astronomy is the lack of previous observational experience with proper professional telescopes. Of course, the capabilities of these instruments are separated by an abyss when compared with amateur telescopes, as they are conceived to do science. Someone could Read more…
Welcome to April Stargazers! The month of April brings with it a new financial year, April showers (or snow showers?!) and of course plenty to look out for in our night skies. I’m going to walk you through what to look out for in the night sky over the coming Read more…
Astronomy, and I’m sure you’d agree, is the most wonderous science of all. You are dealing with, literally, the biggest questions in the Universe from “how was the Universe formed?” to “Is there other life out there?”, but it is also, arguably, the easiest science to do yourself. If you Read more…
FEBRUARY 2022 VERY WET, MUCH WARMER THAN AVERAGE, AND SLIGHTLY DULLER. WINTER 2021/2022 ALSO MUCH WARMER THAN AVERAGE, WETTER AND SLIGHTLY DULLER Armagh Observatory reports that February 2022 at Armagh was very wet, much warmer than average, and with slightly less strong sunshine than average. The meteorological winter (December 2021, Read more…
DRY JANUARY, MUCH WARMER AND SUNNIER THAN AVERAGE Armagh Observatory, 8th February 2022: Armagh Observatory reports that January 2022 was drier than average. This was the driest January at Armagh for two years, the warmest January at Armagh for 10 years, and the sunniest for seven years. Total precipitation was Read more…
It wasn’t long after the invention of radio technology towards the end of the 19th century that scientists considered using the new medium to contact beings on other planets in the Solar System with Mars being the first target. However, with the early probes to Mars and Venus showing no Read more…
Hubble Space Telescope (HST) has been in space since 1990 and has resolved many long-standing problems in astronomy, whilst raising new ones thus improving our knowledge and curiosity significantly. It has been the most important telescope we had for 31 years. Now it’s time to relay the mission to its Read more…
DULLEST AUGUST AT ARMAGH FOR 13 YEARS, WARMER AND SLIGHTLY WETTER THAN AVERAGE. WARMEST SUMMER AT ARMAGH FOR 15 YEARS, DRIEST FOR EIGHT YEARS AND SLIGHTLY DULLER THAN AVERAGE Armagh Observatory, 6th September 2021: Armagh Observatory reports that August 2021 was the dullest August at Armagh for 13 Read more…
Local Armagh boy Oisín Traynor and his family recently experienced an ‘out of this world’ trip to Armagh Observatory & Planetarium, making the most of its brand-new facilities, inclusive areas, sensory room and VIP access to enjoy its latest additions. Three-year-old Oisín has quadriplegic cerebral palsy, among other conditions that Read more…
Hello Stargazers and welcome to April! Well, as the saying goes “April showers bring May flowers”, so we may be low on clear nights for stargazing. Due to our climate and location cloud cover often interferes with our ability to see what the night sky has to offer, but we Read more…
Tree planting at Northern Ireland’s oldest scientific institution; new chapter within grounds of Armagh Observatory and Planetarium As many dog-walkers in our local community know well, the Armagh Observatory is set within an historic landscaped estate that is home to a number of astronomical exhibitions that takes the visitor through a Read more…
By Matthew McMahon, Observatory Museum Assistant “History is essential to science as roots to a tree. Modern Astronomy may be likened to a great city built on foundations dating back so far as to almost as old as the human race.” Basil J. W. Brown The study of astronomy has Read more…
Season 1 has come to an end, and I still honestly can’t believe it has happened. I am so thrilled that we were able to create a podcast in, what is arguably, the most horrendous year in all human history. Heather From the get-go, Courtney and I had a vision. We didn’t want this Read more…
Another month, another lockdown. We have one very good outdoor socially distanced activity that everyone can do – stargazing! November does have a few meteor showers and interesting objects to see, so why not give it a go this month? Just remember, as always, to give your eyes around 20 Read more…
Welcome to October, stargazers! Autumn is well and truly into full swing now. Along with warm coats, changing leaves and Pumpkin Spiced Lattes, October also brings with it the opportunity to get some excellent planet spotting and star gazing time in. With the gradually longer nights it means you can Read more…
The late September and early October nights bring with them a few things; crunchy leaves for evening walks, pumpkin spice lattes for the masses and the best time of year to get planet spotting. There are five – yes, five – planets that are observable with relative ease this time Read more…
Among my skills as blog editor, podcast host and Education Officer Extraordinaire here at Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, I’m also a fully qualified catastrophizer! That’s right; you give me a senario and I’ll assume the worst possible version of the thing has a very high chance of happening. This came Read more…
Happy August stargazers! July was a fairly rainy and cloudy affair – this made stargazing and planet spotting difficult. Here’s hoping the August skies are clear and warm! August also brings with it slightly shorter days and slightly longer nights, meaning 11pm will be ideal for stargazing instead of after Read more…
Need some space? In case you haven’t heard our news, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium now has a podcast; Intergalactic Craic! We will cover all your favourite astronomy topics, space news, and we will have interviews and Q&As with astronomers from our very own Observatory – all with a bit of Read more…
Happy soon-to-be summer, star gazers! June has a few things going for it; it’s the beginning of summer (officially), we have a lovely new moon, there’s some planet spotting to be done in the early morning; and the combined effects of clear, warm days with lower levels of air pollution Read more…
Now we weren’t going to leave out everyone’s favourite dwarf planet, were we?! Small but Mighty! Pluto is named after the Roman god of the Underworld, who coincidentally was also the god of wealth as diamond and other jewels supposedly came from the Underworld. It’s ironic that such a tiny Read more…
It’s International Day of Light today! In honour of this international event, we at Astronotes decided it would be an excellent chance to explain how light could be the future for our climate and the answer to our questions about how we can power our planet! What is light? Light Read more…
This week it’s Museum Week 2020 and today has the honour of being #ClimateMW day! Here at AOP we monitor the weather daily, and have been keeping weather records for over 200 years – clearly we are very interested in our weather and the climate. On Astronotes we have quite Read more…
Breaking astronomy news! The European Southern Observatory, in combination with other institutes, has discovered a black hole – and it’s a mere 1000 lightyears from Earth! This newly discovered Black Hole forms part of a triple system (called HR6819) that can be seen with the naked eye. Petr Hadrava, Emeritus Read more…
Today marks the 30th birthday of The Hubble Space Telescope (HST). On the 24th of April 1990 NASA launched Hubble into low earth orbit and it is still up there today! Hubble has allowed us to see deep within the caverns of space, revealing the most incredible and famous images Read more…
This week our 5 Facts series continues with our home planet! Read on to learn more about our Earth. Earth is the only planet not named after a God The other planets in our Solar System are named after Roman and Greek Gods, but not our Earth! The word “Earth” Read more…
Hello Stargazers! We are well and truly into spring now (and hopefully we have all recovered from losing that 1 precious hour of sleep when the clocks sprung forward, eh?). The high pressure weather system we have had recently means clear, crisp nights for many of us – excellent conditions Read more…
Welcome to spring! In theory at least – someone should really let our climate know that it’s time to brighten up a little bit. Depending on whether or not you adhere to the meteorological or astronomical definitions of “spring”, it officially began either on 1st March or will begin on Read more…
So as it turns out, we have had a secret, tiny moon lurking around our planet for potentially up to 3 years – and we had no idea! It’s not surprising we missed it – it’s no Europa for sure. It’s so small it is invisible to the naked eye. Read more…
Ah, the winter night sky, how we love thee. The shorter daytime means even longer to stargaze; if we are lucky here in Armagh we will get some high pressure days leading to crisp, clear, starry nights. So, in the evenings after your Christmas shopping has finished for the day Read more…
Have you ever wondered about the impact that you may have as an amateur astronomer? How much can amateur and professional astronomers gain from each other? Can amateur astronomers impact research? Please listen below to a short audio piece by Lucie Affronti and Neasa Cumiskey; two Postgraduate Media students at Read more…
In honour of World Mental Health Day 2019, here follows a brief overview of the mental health impacts of space travel and how NASA has altered its attitude to this pressing issue over the decades. Arguably, the worst thing to happen to Buzz Aldrin was walking on the moon. After Read more…
The long standing satellite king of The Solar System, Jupiter, has been dethroned – Saturn now has 82 moons to Jupiter’s 79! via GIPHY The new moons were discovered by astronomers at The Carnegie Institution for Science using the Subaru telescope on top of Mauna Kea in Hawaii. According to Read more…
As it is Good Relations Week here in Northern Ireland, we are covering the history of international relations within the context of space. More specifically; how the backdrop of global relations and newly formed Russia worked together with their former rival The United States of America to build the first Read more…
Welcome to September, Stargazers! To be honest, August is a hard celestial act to follow but the September night sky allows to to focus in on events that might have otherwise been overshadowed if they had occurred in another month. September stargazing gets back to the basics of stargazing, moon-watching Read more…
Welcome to the first article in our new series about the current state of flux our planet is in; Brandolini’s Law: Climate. We will explore the issues surrounding climate change such as how a debate formed around its existence, how climate change works, the effects it can have on a Read more…
President John F Kennedy’s speech to the United States’ Congress on the 25th of May 1961 encapsulates the romanticism that has adorned the endeavour of space exploration to this day. A President asking the representatives of his people to fund a daring, groundbreaking mission to, “before this decade [was] out, [land] Read more…
Hello stargazers! We are just past mid-summer; September is looming around the corner but fear not – we have another lovely month of summertime stargazing to enjoy before the sun-soaked (for some) season fades away. Stargazing during August will be best at around 11pm, after you have given your eyes Read more…
As we are fast approaching the 50th anniversary of man’s greatest achievement of landing men on the moon in 1969, we are taking a look back and how women were treated in NASA’s space program and how things are different (or similar) today. Sally Ride had never planned to be Read more…