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Planets

Image of simulated Mercury transit
Planets

Vulcan: the Solar System’s Ghost Planet

We have been celebrating the first Neptunian year since the discovery of the eighth (and as far as we know last) planet in the Solar System. Neptune’s discovery was a famous triumph of nineteenth century astronomy. Less well-known is the aftermath, when a ninth solar planet was discovered. This planet Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 10 years5 years ago
Image of Triton and Neptune
Planets

Happy Birthday Neptune!

Neptune, furthest planet from the Sun is celebrating its first birthday. It has been known  to humans for only a single Neptunian year. Neptune, which is not visible with the naked eye, was discovered by mathematical prediction in 1846 before being observed through a telescope. Astronomers noticed that Uranus was Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 10 years10 years ago
Planets

The Truth about Life on Mars (part 2)

Scientists had seriously considered the possibility of plant or even animal life on the surface of Mars for more than a century. However negative results from NASA’s Viking spacecraft in the 1970s ruled out large-scale Martian life but this was not the end of the search for life on Mars. Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 10 years8 years ago
Planets

The Truth about Life on Mars (Part 1)

“Is there life on Mars?” This must be one of the most-asked questions in astronomy.  In this article I am going to look at the historical background to this question. Current thoughts on the possibilities of Martian life will be considered in a follow up article.   Why is life Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 10 years6 years ago
Planets

Pluto and Eris: when is a planet not a planet?

In 2003 astronomers discovered Eris, an object seemingly bigger than Pluto, in the frigid Trans-Neptunian wastes of the Solar System. Rather than becoming the Tenth Planet, Eris led directly to Pluto’s demotion from planetary status! But is this saga over? Martina Redpath has the details. I’m sure most of you Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 10 years10 years ago
Planets

The bluffer’s guide to Saturn

  Ask anyone to draw a picture of a planet and I’ll bet they draw a ringed planet like Saturn. This giant world has always stood out from the other worlds of the Solar System thanks to its amazing rings, in astronomy books it was ‘The Ringed Planet’. Thirty years Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 11 years6 years ago
Moon

Phobos: ESA’s daring encounters

  In March 2010 that superb but underappreciated probe Mars Express made a series of very close passes by the Martian moon Phobos. On one occasion it came as close as 107 km to the tiny world’s surface. The purpose of these encounters was to determine information on Phobos’ interior Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 11 years10 years ago
Planets

How Venus will kill you in less than 10 seconds

Venus was once thought to be a lush, life-bearing planet, but modern research has revealed an utterly lethal world. What perils await explorers of “Earth’s evil twin”?   Is there anyone who hasn’t admired the lovely beacon of Venus hanging bright in a cerulean sky? (So bright in fact, it Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 11 years3 years ago
Planets

Hubble sees Saturn in a new light

Saturn: the Blue Planet? The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope reveals the secrets of the giant planet. This false colour image from the Hubble Space Telescope not only shows Saturn in an unfamiliar light, but displays some of the giant planet’s features. The image was created in early 2009, when Saturn Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 11 years10 years ago

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RSS Intergalactic Craic
  • Rocks to Rockets: 4 More Amazing Women in Science!
    Welcome to Season 2 everyone! Heather and Courtney kick off the new season with some amazing women in science that everyone should know. Any questions? Email us at podcast@armagh.ac.uk 
  • The Safest Dinner Party of 2020
    For the last episode of Season 1, Heather and Courtney suggest their ideal astronomy guests to a dinner party. They cover some of humanity's greatest astronomical achievements as well as discuss some of the rumours surrounding a particular famous astronomer's party behaviour! Need Some Space?
  • Turning Back The Clock - The History of AOP
    Join Heather and Special Guest Host Dr Rok Nezic as they delve into the archives and discuss the history of the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium through their favourite objects. Clocks, books, instruments and rooms, they've got it all covered, and they have a bit of craic along the way.
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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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