Cosmic Cuilagh is an exciting weekend of free astronomical events coming in 12-13 March 2011 at Fermanagh’s Marble Arch Caves Geopark. Sinead McNicholl has the details.
Come to Cuilcagh and see the Universe! (Image credit: Armagh Planetarium)
The Marble Arch Caves Geopark, located in the rugged mountainous uplands and gently rolling lowlands of counties Fermanagh and Cavan, is the place to be on the weekend of Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 March 2011 when the Parkˆà launches òÀÜCosmic CuilcaghòÀÝ. Working in conjunction with Armagh Planetarium and the Irish Astronomical Association this celestial extravaganza will be an event not to be missed by stargazers and anyone interested in learning more about the Cosmos.
The March evening sky: come and see this for yourself! (Image credit: Armagh Planetarium)
One of the main attractions at the visitor centre will be the Armagh Planetarium StarDome, our inflatable portable Planetarium which travels throughout Ireland to delight and educate audiences of all ages. The inside of the StarDome becomes a sky full of stars and constellations to the audience. The inflated StarDome stands at an impressive 12ft high and is capable of accommodating up to 30 children or 25 adults at once. ˆàA StarDome visit is truly is an exciting and unique experience! Click here to see the StarDome being inflated!
View from Cuilcagh Mountain, Co. Fermanagh. (image credit: Andrew Humphreys via wikimedia.org)
Other activities will include a meteorite amnesty where visitors will have an opportunity to find out whether the strange rock in the back garden could have come from space! You will also have an opportunity to touch a real meteorite, which at an amazing 4.5 billion years old, will be the oldest thing you ever touch.
If that wasnòÀÙt enough excitement, the Irish Astronomical Association will be giving us a hands-on guide to the Fermanagh night sky weather permitting of course. It will also be a chance to view their amazing telescopes and get some expert advice about purchasing and setting up a scope for any would-be astronomers.
Irish Astronomical Association members will be on hand at this exciting event (Image credit: IAA)
This is an amazing event happening at the Geopark as Dr Kirstin Lemon, Geopark Geologist explains, òÀÜòÀØThe Geopark is all about finding out about the rocks beneath our feet but we often forget that we are part of a much bigger Solar System. Cosmic Cuilcagh will help us all to appreciate our significance in the wider Universe and how the world around us has been affected by cosmic activityòÀÝ.
The Marble Arch Caves Geopark will be the location for some stargazing and other exciting activities in an event sponsored by Armagh Planetarium. (Image credit: Armagh Planetarium)
The event is also supported by DCAL and Creativity Month. (Image credit: Armagh Planetarium)
The Cosmic Cuilcagh event will be òÀØout of this worldòÀÙ and best of all it is FREE so come along and join us! We will be running our activities from 11am until 9pm on that weekend. Pre-booking is not necessary but if you would like some more information on the event then please contact the Marble Arch Caves Visitor Centre on +44(0) 28 6634 8855.
Sinead McNicholl, Education Support Officer (Image credit: Armagh Planetarium)
(Article by Sinead McNicholl.)
u guys came 2 my school it was cool and fun !!!