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…
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…
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…
“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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
“Commander Moonikin Campos” is the official name of the manikin launching on Artemis I, NASA’s uncrewed flight test of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft around the Moon later this year. The Moonikin received its name as the Read more…
Article by Ed Snowdon Whether you are a researcher gathering data, or a hobbyist taking photos from your back garden, astronomy has always required a certain amount of good luck. Instruments can be uncooperative, data can be lost or damaged, Read more…
Armagh Observatory & Planetarium (AOP) has partnered with Libraries NI to distribute across the province 200 free copies of its brand-new children’s science book, “Big Book of Experiments and Bright Ideas.” Designed and written by AOP staff, the book was Read more…
An international collaboration of ten partners, including Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, has developed an innovative new telescope, made up of two identical arrays on opposite sides of the planet, which will track down sources of gravitational waves such as merging Read more…
Armagh Observatory & Planetarium, in partnership with the Irish astronomical observatories at Birr in Co Offlay, and Dunsink in Dublin, have submitted the first stage of a bid aiming for nomination for UNESCO World Heritage status. The application is to Read more…
Written by Gavin Ramsay A number of Armagh astronomers travelled this week to the University of Warwick in England to take part in the first `in-person’ UK National Astronomy Meeting since 2019. Over 800 people participated either in person or Read more…
The NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope reveals emerging stellar nurseries and individual stars in Carina Nebula that were previously obscured. The new images showcase how Webb’s cameras can peer through cosmic dust, shedding new light on how stars form. Objects Read more…
The dawn of a new era in astronomy has begun as the world gets its first look at the full capabilities of the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope. The telescope’s first full-colour images and spectroscopic data, which uncover a spectacular collection Read more…
Armagh Observatory reports that June 2022 was drier, warmer and duller than average. Total precipitation was 56.1 mm (2.21 inches), including 6 trace values, that is, 55.8 mm (2.20 inches) if trace values are ignored. This was approximately 88% of the Read more…
Burcu Gunay, Ege University, Turkey We have developed a new method to look for carbon compounds in space, akin to prospecting for oil on Earth. Between the stars lie vast amounts of interstellar gas and dust, spread thinly throughout our Read more…
Written by Gautham Sabhahit Over a century ago, Albert Einstein formulated his general theory of relativity (GR, also called Einstein’s theory of gravitation) describing the motion of objects in space and time under the influence of nearby matter and radiation. 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 Read more…
A super spectacle is happening in the night sky from this evening and won’t be seen again until 2040. The five planets — known as “naked eye planets” because they can be seen without the use of binoculars or telescopes Read more…
Visitors to Armagh Observatory and Planetarium this weekend were treated to the arrival of dozens of prehistoric toy brick dinosaurs. This is the first time the Brickosaurs! Evolution has been showcased in Northern Ireland with over 20 species within the Read more…
WARMER, DULLER AND SLIGHTLY WETTER THAN AVERAGE. SPRING 2022 WARMER, SUNNIER AND DRIER THAN AVERAGE Armagh Observatory reports that May 2022 was warmer, duller and slightly wetter than average. Taking March, April and May together, the meteorological spring was warmer, Read more…
Armagh Observatory and Planetarium was among the winners at the recent Northern Ireland Hospitality Awards 2022, receiving Highly Commended for Family Venue of the Year. Voted for by the public, the aim of the awards is to celebrate those who 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 Read more…
Ask any number of astronomers who they believe to be the most influential figures in 20th century astronomy and chances are you will hear the name of Vera Rubin being uttered a few times. Recipient of numerous awards and accolades 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 Read more…
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 board learning and development programme is looking Read more…
Armagh Observatory and Planetarium has teamed up with Disney and Pixar to celebrate the science that inspired the movie “Lightyear”. The new movie is the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy. It follows the 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 Read more…
APRIL DRIER AND SUNNIER THAN AVERAGE WITH ROUGHLY AVERAGE TEMPERATURE Armagh Observatory reports that April 2022 was drier and sunnier than average and with roughly average temperature. This was the fourth April in a row with average or lower-than-average precipitation. Read more…
We’re heading into the warmer months again this time of year and looking forward to the brighter, warmer evenings, which may allow us to stargaze a little easier, if also a little later in the evening. There’s lots to look 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, Read more…
The International Astronomical Union’s Commission for World Heritage has undertaken a study tour of the three historic Irish astronomical observatories at Armagh, Birr in Co Offlay and Dunsink in Dublin in order to consider their potential for nomination for UNESCO Read more…
RECORD-BREAKING MARCH: SUNNIEST FOR AT LEAST 141 YEARS, DRIEST FOR 10 YEARS AND WARMEST FOR 5 YEARS. Armagh Observatory reports that March 2022 was the sunniest March on record at Armagh, and drier and warmer than average. This March was Read more…
Armagh Observatory has recorded the sunniest March ever, breaking a 128-year record. The year 1894 has held the record as the sunniest March with 175 hours, until this year, which has recorded 188.4 hours. Thus, March 2022 is the sunniest 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 Read more…
Dozens of prehistoric toy brick dinosaurs will arrive at Armagh Observatory & Planetarium this summer, showcasing dinos for a Jurassic scale display. The towering 3-D brick dinosaurs are made using more than 2 million toy bricks and an interactive expedition 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 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 Read more…
It’s been just over two months since The James Webb Space Telescope was launched into space. On Christmas Day 2021, Professor Michael Burton watched the launch online, whilst enjoying his Christmas dinner! So, what has happened since launch day and Read more…
The story of Jocelyn Bell Burnell’s discovery of pulsars is one of the best known in astronomy. The story of how, as a graduate student at the University of Cambridge, she detected “a bit of scruff” on the chart recorder 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 Read more…
Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is delighted to welcome you this half term and into spring to experience an out of this world trip to remember. The planetarium is the ideal place to create long lasting memories and spark curiosity to Read more…
Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (AOP) will showcase its prestigious show, “Our Place in the Cosmos” at free special screenings, as well as an opportunity to meet with PhD students. The dome show, which was created for COP26, the UN Climate Read more…
On 22 January 1997, Lottie Williams from Tulsa, Oklahoma, was walking through a park around 4am with friends when they saw what looked like a shooting star in the sky. “It was just a big ball of fire, shooting across Read more…
DECEMBER 2021 WETTER, WARMER AND DULLER THAN AVERAGE. RECORD-BREAKING 2021: WARMEST SEPTEMBER ON RECORD, WARMEST AUTUMN, AND SECOND-WARMEST CALENDAR YEAR SINCE RECORDS BEGAN AT ARMAGH AROUND 1795 Armagh Observatory reports that December 2021 was wetter, warmer, and duller than average. Read more…
“BIG BOOK OF EXPERIMENTS AND BRIGHT IDEAS” – ARMAGH PLANETARIUM GIFTS OVER 850 SCIENCE BOOKS The staff at Armagh Observatory & Planetarium (AOP) have designed and written a brand-new children’s science book. The “Big Book of Experiments and Bright Ideas” 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, Read more…
VERY MILD NOVEMBER. DULLER THAN AVERAGE AND THE DRIEST NOVEMBER AT ARMAGH FOR 32 YEARS. WARMEST AUTUMN AT ARMAGH ON RECORD, AND DULLER AND DRIER THAN AVERAGE Armagh Observatory reports that November 2021 was very mild, duller, and much drier Read more…
The month of December offers us the most intense meteor shower of the year. These are the Geminids, so-called because they appear to emanate from the constellation of Gemini the Twins. At the peak of the shower, over 120 meteors Read more…
