From: TerryMoselaol.com
Date: 24 September 2007 01:26:24 Sep 2007
Subject: Lecture in UCD, W5 events, Sputnik event at AP, IAA lecture.

Hi all,

1. UCD: 2007 Inaugural lecture of the  Physics with Astronomy & Space
Science  Degree Programme     Gamma Ray Bursts and the Birth of Black
Holes , by Dr. Neil Gehrels, Chief of the Astroparticle Physics
Laboratory, NASA - Goddard Space Flight Center. Co-recipient of the 2007
Rossi prize Tuesday, September 25th, 2007, 6pm, Theatre B, Science Hub,
UCD    Talk summary: Gamma-ray bursts are intense flashes of gamma rays
coming from distant galaxies.  They were discovered in the early 1970's
by satellites monitoring the nuclear test ban treaty and have been
studied ever since. The chase to observe them and understand their
origin is a continuing adventure story in astronomical research.  We now
know that the bursts result from the birth of black holes in the
implosion of massive stars. The creation of a gravitational singularity
at the centre of the star has amazing consequences with central gas
falling inward and high speed jets streaming outward.  The resulting
explosion is bright enough to be seen from the edges of the visible
universe.  The lecture will highlight discoveries by NASA's SWIFT
observatory.  This new satellite has the ability to rapidly re-point
itself in the direction of a gamma ray flash and observe them with
sensitive space telescopes.    All welcome.

2. Prof Mark Bailey, Director of Armagh Observatory, asked me to
circulate the following (slightly edited for space) :     "W5 Science
Outreach programme. (W5 is at the Odyssey Centre, Belfast) This is
mainly to advertise both Miruna's exhibition "Living with a Star" at W5
all this week (see p. 7 of attached booklet) and also Simon Jeffery's
special astronomy talk "Inside the Stars" (see p. 3), on Thursday 27
September.    However, there is a very interesting programme going on
all autumn/winter in W5 and I am sure that many people on your mailing
list (school teachers included) might be interested in some of the other
events.    The brief details for Simon's lecture are: "Inside the
Stars", W5, Thursday 27 September, 11:00 to 12:00. Those for Miruna's
Exhibition are: "Living with a Star: Surviving Near our Explosive Sun",
W5, Monday 24 to Sunday 30 September. All Welcome to both.    Contact
details for W5 are at the back of the brochure.

3. ARMAGH PLANETARIUM TO RE-LAUNCH SPUTNIK!     An important anniversary
in the history of space exploration takes place in the coming weeks.
Fifty years ago, on 4th October 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik
1, the first artificial satellite to successfully orbit the earth. This
event was to change the course of history, and the launch of this tiny
satellite is now widely regarded as heralding the dawn of the space age.
Since Sputnik, data returned by orbiting satellites, interplanetary
probes and human explorers have vastly expanded our knowledge of the
Universe beyond Earth.     To celebrate this historic event, Armagh
Planetarium is hosting a special day of activities on Saturday 29th
September 2007, with free admittance for the over 50s (bring your ID)!
Along with our children s show  Secret of the Cardboard Rocket , we will
be showing  Dawn of the Space Age  - an authoritative account of the
last fifty years of space travel, from Sputnik up until the present day.
Dr Tom Mason (Planetarium Director) will be presenting talks on
Sputnik s fifty year legacy, suitable for all the family. Budding rocket
scientists are invited to take part in our  Launch Your Own Sputnik 
Competition, where entrants design and make their own Sputniks and
rockets, before trying them out on the launch pad. Prizes will be
awarded for the furthest travelling satellites!   To join in our
celebrations please pre-book your ticket on 028 3752 3689. For further
information and a list of show times visit www.armaghplanet.com.   
Open Daily 11.30am-5.00pm. Booking is Essential  
Prices 
Adults						 £6.00 per show 
Children (under 16) / Senior Citizens (65 yrs +) £5.00 per show
Family Concession Rate                           £18 (for maximum 2 adults plus 3 children) 
Group Rates (more than 20 people)                £5.00 per person 
Exhibition Area Only.                            £2.00 per person

4. SPECIAL IAA LECTURE FOR 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF SPACE AGE, Wed 3 October
   We are delighted and honoured to have the one and only Dr John Mason,
lecturer extraordinaire, to give a special lecture to the IAA in Belfast
to celebrate 50 years of space exploration. John Mason is a celebrated
lecturer, writer, broadcaster & general expert on anything and
everything to do with astronomy & space. Frequent guest on the Sky At
Night, Past President of the BAA, Eclipse Tours & Meteor Tours Guest
Expert Astronomer - you name it, he knows about it!    John will be
giving a series of lectures in Ireland, commencing with the one to the
IAA in Belfast on Wed 3 Oct (OK, so it's one day early, but we wanted to
get him first!). Other venues are Dublin, the WSP in Birr, and Cork.
More on those in next email.    Entitled "THE NEXT GIANT LEAP FOR
MANKIND", it will be held in the IAA's NEW MEETING VENUE: The BELL
LECTURE THEATRE, PHYSICS BUILDING, MAIN CAMPUS, QUB, UNIVERSITY ROAD,
BELFAST. Many thanks to Prof Stephen Smartt for facilitating a very good
deal for us.     ENTRANCE TO PHYSICS BUILDING: The entrance is at the
door at the foot of the spiral staircase in the Physics Building, which
is "No 5" on the QUB map on their website: see www.qub.ac.uk. Or go
directly to the QUB website map, it's building number 5 (just opposite
"1b") link
On www.multimap.com, the entrance to the building is at:
link  On Google Earth, or FlashEarth.com, the entrance to the building is
at: N 54 deg 35' 2.0 "; W 5 deg 56' 4.4".   It's just opposite the
opening in the South Wing of the main QUB building. That lies just to
the left of the circled number 5 indicating that building. That door is
normally locked, but we will have someone on duty there from 7.10 p.m.
to 7.30 (or 7.35 p.m. if we are feeling generous) to admit you. If you
are late - tough luck: you won't get in!     
PARKING: There is free
parking within the main campus after about 5 p.m., but there will
be other events on too, so you'll have to compete for parking spots. The
entrance is from UNIVERSITY SQUARE, which is one-way only, in the
direction from University Road towards Botanic Avenue/College Park. The
barrier will be up, so just drive in, across in front of the main
building, then turn left at the end of the front facade of that
building.    The Physics building is the large 2-3 story modern(ish)
building now on your right. The entrance is down the slight hill, on
your right.    Park anywhere in this vicinity if you can; otherwise just
find a space where you can: anywhere not 'prohibited' is OK, as long as
you don't block anyone else. You can also park free on University Square
if you wish.    There is also an entrance from the far end of University
Avenue, in College Park - that will bring you in to the East of the main
building, so use the map to locate the physics building.    
REFRESHMENTS
will be provided free of charge, as usual, after the lecture.   
EXITING: The vehicle exit from the campus is from the gate directly onto
University Road, beside the Whitla Hall ('7' on the map): there is an
automatic barrier there which will lift as the car approaches it - go
slowly until it lifts! NB, this is one-way only - No entry by this
route!    
Let's see plenty of you there for what will be a most
entertaining & informative lecture.

Clear Skies,

Terry Moseley 

Last Revised: 2007 September 24th

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