January
January Night Sky
Happy new year stargazers! I hope 2023 was a blast and I hope 2024 is even better!! We are still on the winter night sky, so that’s perfect, there is so much to see and definitely so much to Read more
Latest News
ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM TRANSLATES POPULAR CHRISTMAS DOME SHOW INTO BRITISH AND IRISH SIGN LANGUAGE
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 Read more
Latest News
NOVEMBER WARMER, SUNNIER AND DRIER THAN AVERAGE. AUTUMN 2023 MUCH WETTER, AND WARMER AND SUNNIER THAN AVERAGE
Armagh Observatory, 5th December 2023. Armagh Observatory reports that November 2023 was slightly warmer, sunnier and drier than average. Taking September, October, and November together the meteorological autumn at Armagh was much wetter, and warmer and sunnier than average. Total Read more
Other Galaxies
ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM AIDS GROUNDBREAKING BLACK HOLES DISCOVERY
Leading Astronomical Research Centre Assists Understanding of How Galaxies Evolve December 2023 Leading astronomical research centre, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, has played a key role in the discovery of a new way to probe how black holes behave when Read more
Latest News
Halley’s Comet through the Ages!
Halley’s comet highlighted in Royal Astronomical Society meeting. Since antiquity, comets have been associated with portents and omens. The most famous comet of all is probably comet Halley or Halley’s comet, implicated in King Harold’s defeat by the Saxons in Read more
Monthly Sky Notes
December Night Sky 2023
And so we come to the month that contains the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice. More exciting, you might think, is the fact that this month contains Christmas!! There are many exciting things to see in the Read more
Stars
Rogue star not heading for Solar System collision after all
Author Name: Thomas Howarth What you’ll discover in this blog post: What may happen if a star wanders too close to the Solar System How astronomers look for these incoming stars How astronomers of the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium used Read more
Latest News
October 2023 weather in Armagh
WETTEST OCTOBER ON RECORD AT ARMAGH, SUNNIER THAN AVERAGE AND VERY MILD Armagh Observatory reports that October 2023 was very much wetter than average, and both sunnier and warmer than average. This was the wettest October at Armagh since daily Read more
Monthly Sky Notes
November Night Sky
Days are getting shorter Nights are getting colder If these shifts you savour You’re a true stargazer I am writing this piece sitting next to a window, having a cup of coffee, and watching it pouring down outside. Not Read more
Latest News
ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM’S PROFESSOR LOUISE HARRA RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS MEDAL AND PRIZE
A member of leading astronomical research centre, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium’s, management team has been awarded the 2023 Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin medal and prize by the Institute of Physics. Professor Louise Harra received the accolade for her ‘numerous and outstanding achievements Read more
Latest News
ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM SET TO LIVESTREAM ROYAL INSTITUTION’S WORLD-FAMOUS CHRISTMAS LECTURES
The world-famous CHRISTMAS LECTURES are coming to Northern Ireland in December, with Armagh Observatory and Planetarium set to stream the live filming, direct from the Royal Institution (Ri) theatre in London on 12 and 14 December. Watched by millions on Read more
Latest News
September 2023 Weather in Armagh
SEPTEMBER WARMER, WETTER AND SUNNIER THAN AVERAGE. THIRD WARMEST SEPTEMBER ON RECORD Armagh Observatory reports that September 2023 was much warmer than average, the third warmest September on record at Armagh. It was also wetter and sunnier than average. Total Read more
Latest News
Cepheid Centenary and the Expanding Universe
On October 5, 1923, Edwin Hubble identified the first Cepheid variable in M31, the Andromeda Galaxy. This proved that the Andromeda nebula was not part of the Milky Way and paved the way for measuring the expansion of the Universe. Read more
Latest News
October Night Sky
Welcome one and all to your favourite ‘happy place’ – the AOP night sky blog, where you can kick off your shoes, cosy up in a comfortable chair and chill-out amongst the shimmering stars! It’s also the month with the Read more
Latest News
ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM ANNOUNCES SERIES OF SPOOKY HALLOWEEN EVENTS
Armagh Observatory and Planetarium has announced a number of family friendly Halloween themed events that will take place on site over the October mid-term break. These will include: Spooky Space Family Dome Show. Running at various times daily from 24th Read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Latest News
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
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
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
Latest News
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
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
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
Monthly Sky Notes
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Latest News
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
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
Latest News
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Milky Way
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Latest News
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Latest News
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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