Teachers from across Northern Ireland have come together to learn how to build and launch their own rockets. It’s all part of an initiative deriving from a new ‘Space Science Technology’ qualification developed by local exams body, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA). According to Read more…
Armagh Planetarium’s Christmas card competition has been going from strength to strength. Now in its third year, we have once again been overwhelmed by the number of entries, the creativeness and talent that has been displayed. Mixing the theme of space and Christmas we have had Santa giving present to Read more…
Mission X: Train Like an Astronaut is an international educational challenge focusing on fitness and nutrition encouraging students to “train like an astronaut.” The six week challenge which runs from January-March 2014, uses the excitement of space exploration and astronaut training to challenge, inspire, and educate kids to set physical Read more…
So, last year I compiled a top 10 list of the best Space/Astronomy gifts which you can view by clicking here. I was so looking forward to receiving my Sheldon bobble head but it looks like those close to me did not take the hint! So this year I have Read more…
Armagh Planetarium hosted an amazing week-long live theatre performance of the Dragons of Azrael in conjunction with the Department of Culture, Arts and leisure’s Creativity Month. Creativity month is an annual event which runs throughout March. Its main aim is to stimulate new thinking and new collaborations to help creative Read more…
We live in an age when dazzling astronomical imagery is everywhere. We are privileged to have immediate access to close ups of the worlds of the Solar System thanks to interplanetary probes and stunning panoramas of nebula and galaxies thanks to hi-tech observatories. But to experience and to feel completely Read more…
On the weekend of the 14and 15 of July 2012 we held a pinhole photography event. This was led by the world renowned pinhole photographer Justin Quinnell. Justin has been teaching and practicing pinhole photography for twenty years and is a published author with his images appearing in feature films, Read more…
1 February 2013 will be the tenth anniversary of the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia and its crew. After a routine science mission the orbiter was making a daytime re-entry over the southern US when it catastrophically broke up. All on board, Rick D. Husband, William C. McCool, Michael Read more…
This year we at Armagh Planetarium held our Christmas Card competition for the second year running and were overwhelmed with the number of outstanding designs mixing the themes of Christmas with space and astronomy. In total we had 1450 entries from 52 different schools. Our judges decided to divide Read more…
The world-wide community of stargazers has been saddened by the passing of one of its great characters. Patrick Moore was a hugely popular figure whose many books, television appearances and talks inspired generations of young people into pursuing astronomy as a hobby or a profession. Patrick Alfred Caldwell-Moore was born Read more…
Imagine you’re one of the crew on the first mission to Mars. Stepping on the Red Planet for the first time is the adventure of a life time and you’re raring to go. But there’s a problem, the journey lasts nine months. Nine months sealed in tin can! What are Read more…
Sleigh bells ring are you listening, Have yourself a Merry little Christmas, It’s the most wonderful time of the year….It sounds like it is getting close to Christmas so get your hot mulled wine and some Quality Street choccies at the ready as you sit back and take in our Read more…
Something dramatic happened in our skies on Friday evening.I missed seeing it myself so I’m quite green with envy of the reports from eye witnesses of spectacular fireballs racing through the night. So what were these bright balls of light?From collated reports this sight is thought to have been Read more…
Once, about four billion years ago, an asteroid about a kilometre and a half across fell on our Moon. The huge chunk of rock and iron smashed into our satellite’s central highlands on the nearside, its fall unwitnessed by the brooding, lifeless Earth, looming large in the ancient lunar sky. Read more…
Armagh Planetarium’s great balloon race has ended. The results are in and they have been checked and verified. There were balloon reports on the Cathedral Road, the Battleford Road and a balloon was found on the Pearse Og Football field in Armagh. We even had an email that one was Read more…
Perhaps you haven’t noticed but new Astronotes posts have been a little short on the ground of late.I’d love to be able to say that this was because I was offworld on the International Space Station, but sadly the real reason was I’ve been ill (indeed I did spend some Read more…
Discover Science and Engineering is calling for all national primary schools to register for the Discover Primary Science and Maths, Award Of Science & Maths Excellences. The Discover Primary Science and Maths programme recognises the achievements of primary school children and teachers in the application of science and maths. Read more…
After last year’s success, BBC2’s Stargazing Live returned to our screens this month for another three nights of astronomy wonders. Holding the reins again were the charismatic Professor Brian Cox and his side-kick comedian Dara O’Briain, who actually happens to be a physicist as well! To coincide with the television Read more…
After their successful Invasion at the beginning of the summer, the Emerald Garrison are returning to Armagh Planetarium to end the summer programme on the weekend of the 27th and 28th of August. Dress up in your own Star Wars costumes and have your lightsabers at the ready as we Read more…
Our Place in the Universe is an astronomy course for those who want to know more about this fascinating subject. Over ten weeks you can take the first steps to understand the mysteries of the Cosmos. In September I will be once again presenting my popular beginner’s astronomy course. Entitled Read more…
Have you ever wondered how to build a solid fuel space rocket? Have you ever wanted to witness a rocket launch? If the answer is yes, then Armagh Planetarium is the place to be on 30 and 31 July 2011 as we blast-off into a fun-filled weekend of rockets. Rocket Read more…
NASA’s final Shuttle flight is due this week, in this article Colin Johnston reveals what this historic space project has meant to him. (This article is a sequel to Apollo and me which appeared in the July 2009 issue of Astronotes. It’s another indulgent wallow in shameless nostalgia so Read more…
Armagh Planetarium is the place to be this summer with activities and theatre shows which are ‘out of this world’. In the Planetarium’s amazing new Digistar 4 Digital Theatre you can relax and experience Earth and beyond. Each show is a memorable experience and with a brand new line-up there Read more…
Ice Worlds, one of Armagh Planetarium’s Digital Theatre shows for Summer 2011, is a thrilling tour through space and time showcasing some of the most beautiful and chilly regions of the Solar System. What can audiences expect from this spectacular experience? Ice is everywhere. Of the worlds in our Solar Read more…
Digistar 4 is Armagh Planetarium’s fantastic new projection system. First in the UK to install Digistar 4, Armagh Planetarium is showcasing latest theatre technology and dazzling audiences who experience the Universe as brighter and sharper than ever before. Armagh Planetarium is leading the way in the digital theatre world with Read more…
St. Patrick’s Academy in Dungannon is a school with both an Astronomy Society and its own observatory! On 15 June the school will be hosting a public astronomical event suitable for all ages. St. Patrick’s Academy Astronomy Society presents ‘What’s Out There?’ a talk by Colin Johnston from the Armagh Read more…
Maths-it is rocket science is a exciting course aimed at teachers of primary age children we’re presenting at Armagh Planetarium this summer. We will show teachers how to bring the wonders of the Universe into the classroom! Armagh Planetarium is pleased to announce ‘Maths – It Is Rocket Science’, a Read more…
Carnival of Space is the regular collection of the best blogs on space and astronomy. If want to know more, come to the Carnival! Every week, a different site or blog plays hosts the Carnival and shows off the latest articles and news written on astronomy and space exploration. Carnival Read more…
Cosmic Cuilagh is an exciting weekend of free astronomical events coming in 12-13 March 2011 at Fermanagh’s Marble Arch Caves Geopark. Sinead McNicholl has the details. The Marble Arch Caves Geopark, located in the rugged mountainous uplands and gently rolling lowlands of counties Fermanagh and Cavan, is the place to Read more…
Could you or someone you love actually be an astronomer? There are tell-tale warning signs, try our exciting quiz to discover if you are one of these creatures of the night! Amateur Astronomy is a fascinating and rewarding hobby, enjoyed by people from all walks of life and all ages. Read more…
An older generation will never forget where they were when they heard the news of President Kennedy’s murder Alas, I have three such memories. The 2001 terror attacks in the US, the destruction of Columbia and its crew in 2003 and the loss of Challenger are events whose horror has Read more…
Armagh Planetarium kicked off 2011 in style with some amazing astronomy-based events in association with the BBC. Sinead McNicholl has a personal report of our part in the exciting Stargazing Live project. BBC Stargazing Live was a three day live astronomy event broadcast on BBC2 and was presented by Professor Read more…
In this first week of 2011, BBC Two is presenting three nights of extraordinary astronomical events and the team at Armagh Planetarium is joining in the fun with our own exciting contributions. Here is what is in store for the nation’s astronomers. Hosted by Professor Brian Cox (science advisor to Read more…
It’s that crazy time of year again, with dark nights, frosty roads, and late night shopping, to accommodate our frantic Christmas shopping sprees. So for anyone stumped for what to get that amateur astronomer or sci-fi fan friend or loved one, look no further. I have been searching the internet Read more…
To get the latest on space and astronomy go to Carnival of Space. Every week, the host website introduces the latest and most exciting articles written about stars, planets and space exploration. This week’s Carnival is presented by the cute and cuddly Starry Critters. You can go straight to the Read more…
Carnival of Space, the regular and vital guide to space and astronomy blogs is hosted by a different site every week. If you’re interested in everything beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, you can’t afford to miss it! This week the Carnival is hosted by Weird Sciences and you can go straight Read more…
Carnival of Space is a great resource for finding what’s hot in space and astronomy. Each week, a different blogger plays host to the carnival, introducing the latest articles written about stars, planets and space exploration. This week’s Carnival is hosted by the excellent We Are All in the Gutter Read more…
Spacebrains is our new and incredibly addictive astronomy quiz app for iPads/Pods/Phones. What is more, it’s completely free from the iTunes Store! It’s strange how you wait years for an exciting free astronomy app for your iPod/Pad/Phone from Armagh Planetarium and then two of them show up in a fortnight. Read more…
Armagh Planetarium has launched ‘Pocket Sky’, a new app for iPhone, iPad and iPodTouch available for free from the iTunes store. This app is a result of collaboration between Dr. Tom Mason, Director of Armagh Planetarium and Mr John Kennedy of Craic Design. This fantastic new app is a baby Read more…
There is a new Carnival of Space ready to dazzle you with wonderful space and astronomy blogs from the furthest reaches of the World Wide Web. This week the Carnival is hosted by David Portree at his ever-fascinating Beyond Apollo site. Go on over there and explore. you won’t regret Read more…
If you love great articles on space and astronomy you are probably already following the Carnival of Space. If you aren’t familiar with the Carnival, it’s a regular round up of links to the most exciting blog posts about outer space. It’s a great guide to what’s going on beyond Read more…
Who am I? I’m Colin Johnston, Armagh Planetarium’s Science Education Director. How did I get here? “According to their biographies, Destiny’s favoured children usually had their lives planned out from scratch. Napoleon was figuring out how to rule France when he was a barefoot boy in Corsica, Alexander the Great Read more…
Armagh Planetarium is the oldest functioning planetarium in the UK. Sited in the historic city of Armagh, our mission is “To advance and promote the knowledge and understanding of astronomy and related sciences” and we’ve been doing this since 1968. You can discover more about us by exploring the Planetarium’s Read more…