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World Space Week 2002 Plans & Report
Events in Ireland began with a evening of space science hosted by the W5 discovery centre and the IMAX Theatre in
Belfast. The principle speaker was Dr Martin Huber president-elect of the European Physical Society. His talk entitled 'A Century of Space Science' took the audience through many fascinating areas
of space science, from aurorae to the active Sun, and to the realms of comets and beyond. A modest audience of some 50 individuals of all ages attended both the talk and the IMAX movie 'Destiny in
Space'. Everyone got to relax a little during a buffet meal. Overall it was an excellent event promoting dialog between individuals from all over Ireland, and a good launch platform for 2003.
Activities in the south of Ireland began Saturday morning with the Whirlpool Star Party - an annual gathering of astronomy enthusiasts. Around 200
individuals attended this years event which hosted speakers as notable as John Dobson, inventor of the Dobsonian Telescope, Jack Newton, and others. The Whirlpool Star Party takes place in Birr in the Irish
midlands home of Lord Rosse and of the Great Leviathan telescope - the metal mirrored 19th century creation with which the Whirlpool galaxy (M51) was discovered and identified.
In Co. Donegal, the Greencastle Maritime Museum and Planetarium hosted two days of shows and talks to mark WSW 2002. This facility is quite small and
rurally set. Yet attendances were positively high for the time of year.
Springer publishers provided a number of books for distribution during the week via competitions etc. Unfortunately, these arrived a little late to be of
most benefit. However, competitions were held a local astronomical clubs and society meetings, and on BBC regional radio generating a good level of interest and awareness of the concept of World Space
Week. The late arrival of the offer/books meant that local press did not have time to react.
The amateur community marked the event with club nights and various speakers. The press provided a modest level of coverage. In 2003 the aim must be to focus the benefits of
space on to the individual - as was the aim of 2002. Planning for WSW 2003 is already underway.
World Space Week 2002 Plans
4-6 October 2002 -- The Whirlpool Star Party.
- This year the annual star party will take place at Dooley's Hotel, Birr, Co. Offlay Ireland. The programme this year is second to none. Principle speakers at
the event include John Dobson designer of the Dobsonian telescope among others. A full listing is availble from the website at: http://gofree.indigo.ie/~sdbell/ . Accommodation
listings are available from the organisers.
4-10 October 2002 -- W5/Imax, The Odyssey, Belfast, N. Ireland
- The IMAX cinema will launch its latest offering, a 3D movie filmed onboard the International Space Station - entitles 'SPACE STATION 3-D'. The movie will be launched at 5pm
on Friday 4th October with regular screenings there after.
- Again on the evening of 4th October, the celebrations will continue with a lecture by Martin Huber (SOHO Project) and will be followed by dinner in a local restaurant.
- Throughout the week, astronomical presentations by staff of the Armagh Planetarium will take place at the W5 science centre.
14th October 2002, W5, The Odyssey, Belfast N.Ireland
- An additional lecture will be given by Dr Alan Fitsimmons, the theme will be asteroids, comets and the dinosaurs. These talks are aimed primarily at school children, Key
Stage 2 groups will attend the morning session and Key Stage 3 & 4 in the afternoon. There will also be the opportunity to experience the 3-D IMAX movie 'T-REX'.
NOTE: For all W5/IMAX events booking is essential. To book, please call 028 90 467790/467710. Please note that the launch evening (4th October) is aimed at an adult audience
and the evening meal will be held on licenced premises.
2nd October
- Venue: Lecture Room 5, Stranmillis Training College, Stranmillis Road, Belfast Event: Talk sponsored by the Irish Astronomical Association. Speaker: Prof
Barrie Jones (OU). Title: "Planets and life beyond the Solar System"
7th October
- Venue: Thompson Primary School, Ballyrobert, Co. Antrim, N. Ireland. . Event: Beginners night + Observing weather permitting. Speaker: Dr Ed Barnett (World Space
Week Co-ordinator - Ireland). Title: "Welcome to astronomy". Note: There will be an opportunity to win books on astronomy and space science.
9th & 10th October:
- Venue: Greencastle Maritime Museum & Planetarium, Co. Donegal, Ireland. Two days of activities and shows to celebrate World Space Week 2002. Planned events
include the launch of a new show - 'A Trip Through Space'. A newly installed laser system will show what it can do and take the audience into a new and fascinating world - accompanied by the music
of rock legends, classical and celtic composers - something for all tastes.
- To suppliment the shows there will be a series of short talks on topics ranging from astronomy and space science, to rocket propulsion and even the inner workings of the lasers
used in the shows.
- There will also be the opportunity to win one of a selection of interesting and informative astronomy books.
- Please book via: Ireland (077) 81363
12th October
- Venue: Carnfunnock Country Park Larne at 7-30pm. Event: Observing night/stardome evening - Irish Astronomical Association. Note: Wrap up warmly - this
is an outdoor event.
16th October
- Venue: Lecture Room 5, Stranmillis Training College, Stranmillis Road, Belfast. Event: Talk sponsored by the Irish Astronomical Association. Speaker: Dr R.
Walsh ( Univ of central Lancs.) Title: "The Sun, a close encounter with our nearest star"
Workshops: Reasons for Seasons
- This hands-on, practical workshop requires the students to work in small groups to initially construct their own individual planets and then to investigate, using a light source,
day and night in terms of the rotation of the Earth on its axis and year length in terms of the movement of the Earth round the Sun and changes in day length, seasons and the elevation of the Sun in terms of the
tilt of the Earth's axis and its movement round the Sun. Cost: £4.50 includes admission to W5.
Throughout the week
- There will be various opportunities to win from a range of excellent astronomy and space related books courtesy of Springer publishing. Competitions will be run by local press,
radio and television.
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