On 9 October 2025 Dr Mart de Groot passed away at his home in Richhill, Armagh. Dr de Groot stood as the 8th Director of the Armagh Observatory between 1976 and 1994, stewarding the institution through troubled times and celebrating the two hundredth anniversary in 1990. Mart de Groot Read more
The European Space Agency’s Plato spacecraft has safely arrived at ESTEC, ESA’s technical heart in the Netherlands. There, engineers will complete the spacecraft by connecting its solar panels and sunshield, and carry out a series of critical tests to confirm that Plato is fit for launch and ready for its planet-hunting Read more
Armagh Observatory and Planetarium marked a remarkable milestone this week, 230 years of daily weather observations, with readings taken every single day since 14 July 1795. To celebrate the occasion, the Observatory hosted a special gathering at its historic meteorological enclosure (“MET cage”) on Monday 14 July at 10 am, followed Read more
JUNE WARMER, WETTER, AND DULLER THAN AVERAGE Armagh Observatory, 10th July 2025: Armagh Observatory reports that June 2025 was warmer, wetter, and duller than average. With an average temperature of approximately 15.3 degrees Celsius (59.6 Fahrenheit), this was the twelfth warmest June on record at Armagh and the warmest for Read more
Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is showcasing a truly unique fusion of art and science — thanks to one of its own. PhD student Alice Humpage has turned a year’s worth of cloud cover data, recorded at Armagh by the MET team, into a striking hand-crocheted blanket that quite literally weaves Read more
Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is launching a brand-new interactive experience this summer — the Stellar Science Lab Exhibition — opening on Tuesday 24 June and running through to the end of August 2025. Perfect for curious minds of all ages, this hands-on exhibition invites visitors to explore the wonders of Read more
From 20th April to 12th May, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium are delighted to be hosting the Ec(h)o exhibition by Csilla Toldy. Csilla has worked tirelessly on her exhibit and together with our own climate exhibition, will tell the story of the elements of our Earth in an immersive visual and Read more
Armagh Observatory, 6th April 2024: Armagh Observatory reports that March was much wetter, rather warmer, and duller than average at Armagh. For the second year in a row March was unseasonably wet. March is usually one of the four drier months of the year at Armagh, that is, February, March, Read more
April, is that you? Jaysus you’re lookin’ well! That’s right, can you believe it, we’re already in April. March was a bit of a crazy one, with some days feeling like all the seasons had been rolled into one. We’re past that now, and from here on out we’re hoping Read more
February 2024 Leading astronomical research centre Armagh Observatory and Planetarium has played a key role in the discovery of a unique signature of the process by which white dwarf stars cannibalise their planetary systems. The research was conducted by an international team of scientists using the European Southern Observatory’s Chile-based Read more
Accessible Screening of Mission Santa Took Place on Friday 15th December December 2023 Leading astronomical research centre, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, screened a special version of its popular Mission Santa Dome Show in British Sign Language and Irish Sign Language on December 15th. Held in collaboration with local charity, Read more
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 reception to be held at Dublin’s Bank of Ireland building, Read more
“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 a shockingly cold start to March, here is hoping that Read more
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. Astronomers around the globe, including those at the Armagh Observatory Read more
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 sparkles just as bright. At the start of 2023 we Read more
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 at Armagh for 25 years. The month was dominated by Read more
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 those who live in the countryside, this should be easier. Read more
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 if trace values are ignored. This is approximately 89.5% of Read more
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 the month. If you are interested in stargazing, let me Read more
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 calendar year 2022, this was the warmest year on record Read more
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 Observatory, 13th December 2022. Armagh Observatory reports that November 2022 Read more
It’s the shortest month of the year, although some may argue that it can feel just as long as January. We’re still seeing the winter constellations in the night sky, and hopefully we will get some nice clear nights to go stargazing. Remember you need to wrap up warm when you are stargazing, Read more
We have finally entered the month of September, however if you were to tell me that it was the 200th Day of March, I would honestly believe you. 2020 has been such a bizarre year, one we will never forget, but one thing we can take comfort in, is the fact Read more
This is the first Night Sky blog article of the new decade and hopefully I’ll be able to point out some interesting things for you all to see in the night sky this month.
