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comets

Astronomers

Mars plays shepherd to our Moon’s long-lost twin, AOP scientists find

by Apostolos Christou An international team of planetary scientists led by astronomers at AOP have found an asteroid trailing behind Mars with a composition very similar to the Moon’s. The asteroid could be an ancient piece of debris, dating back to the gigantic impacts that formed the Moon and the Read more…

By Apostolos Christou, 3 months2 months ago
Comets and Asteroids

What are Small Solar System Orbiters?

Article written by: Ciara, from Ciara’s Journey Blog It’s an umbrella term for Comets, Asteroids, Meteoroids, Meteors, Meteorites and Bolides.  It’s anything that is in our Solar System and that isn’t a planet or a satellite! In this blog post I have explored what each of these things are – Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 12 months1 year ago
Comets and Asteroids

Gault – the amazing disintegrating asteroid

Article by Armagh Astronomer Tolis Christou Imagine being outdoors on a sunny day, following the Sun as it rises from the east, heading towards the south and then on towards the west where it sets. Now think back: when did you feel the hottest: when the Sun was highest in Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 2 years2 years ago
Comets and Asteroids

Comets 101 – What you need to know!

In a nutshell, comets are small bodies of ice and dust in orbit around the Sun. When they pass near the sun, they start to vaporize creating long tails of dust and gas. Even this small amount of information makes us ask so many questions about these members of our solar system.

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 2 years2 years ago
Monthly Sky Notes

What’s up in the Sky this September

This September is a relatively uneventful month (astronomy-wise). Few visible planets, quiet Sun and overall a very poor month for meteor showers.

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 2 years ago
Human Exploration

10 things we used to believe about Space

Space is forever changing. Here is a list of 10 things we used to believe about Space.

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 2 years2 years ago
Armagh Planetarium

What’s up in the sky this August

It’s the beginning of a new month, filled with new exciting events in the night sky. Here is a brief summary of what to expect in the next few weeks.

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 2 years2 years ago
Comets and Asteroids

Comet Watch – Work experience students spy on comets using GOTO

Article Written by Gavin Ramsay Comets have been known for millennia with Halley’s Comet famously being shown in the Bayeux Tapestry illustrating events which took place in 1066. They were also thought to foretell catastrophic events. Today we know them as having a small nucleus made up of ice and Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 3 years3 years ago
Astronomers

Planetary Exploration in 2018

Since the beginning of the space age, humanity has been sending robotic emissaries to all corners of the solar system. These represent some of the most complex technological undertakings ever conceived. Travelling for years and even decades to their destinations, they have helped form a modern picture of the solar Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 3 years3 years ago
About Us

The Curious Comet 96P/Machholz

Comets are small icy and rocky objects flying around our Solar System on elliptical orbits, as opposed to near-circular ones the planets are enjoying. They are strange and fantastic enough as it is: bright comets with their tails spanning across the sky have been marvelled at, recorded, and often feared Read more…

By Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, 3 years3 years ago

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RSS Intergalactic Craic
  • 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.
  • Vampires, Zombies and... Bowties? Oh My!
    This week Intergalactic Craic has some added spook for your Autumn. Vampire stars, zombie stars and spooky nebulae will all be discussed by Courtney and Heather. Need Some Space?
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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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