OASES                                                         Over us All is the SElfsame Sky

On Friday 18 June Armagh Observatory and Armagh Planetarium hosted a visit by 140 primary school children from six schools in Counties Armagh and Monaghan. The visit was part of the innovative OASES project, a cross-border and cross-community initiative developed by the Armagh Rhymers Educational and Cultural Organisation in collaboration with the Armagh Observatory. This project is funded through the European UnionòÀÙs PEACE III Small Grants Programme, promoted by Armagh City and District Council and managed by the PEACE III Southern Cluster Partnership for the Special EU Programmes Body.  

After seeing a show in the Armagh Planetarium, the children sang reconciliation and science songs and performed dances set to traditional Irish tunes in the Armagh Observatory Grounds, Human Orrery.  òÀÜAs astronomers, it is a privilege for us to share our òÀØspaceòÀÙ with such a talented group of young people òÀÔ the artists and scientists of the futureòÀÝ, said Professor Mark Bailey, Director of the Armagh Observatory.  òÀÜThe theme of OASES òÀÔ Over us All the SElfsame Sky òÀÔ emphasizes the point that we all experience or òÀØshareòÀÙ the same sky, both night and day.  This is our window to the Universe, and it is so good to see young people drawn into a wider appreciation of astronomy and its inspiration òÀÔ and not just in science and mathematics òÀÔ at such an early age.òÀÝ

This visit represents the end of the first part of the OASES programme, which has so far involved six schools from Counties Armagh and Monaghan.

When asked what part of the programme they liked best, pupils said that they have most enjoyed the cross-border and cross-community aspect of it. òÀÜI liked singing and doing other activities with children from other schoolsòÀÝ, said an eight-year old boy from Our LadyòÀÙs Primary School, Keady.

By taking part in the OASES project, òÀÜI learnt the order of the planets, that stars can sing and that there is a lot more out there than we thinkòÀÝ, said a nine year old girl from Mount St CatherineòÀÙs School, Armagh. òÀÜWe also learnt that it takes one year for the Earth to go around the SunòÀÝ. P5 pupils from the Armstrong Primary school in Armagh, said that òÀÜthe size of the Earth is a million times smaller than the SunòÀÝ, while one added òÀÜI also learnt not to be selfishòÀÝ.

The OASES project is part-funded through the EUòÀÙs PEACE III Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body. The Armagh Rhymers Educational and Cultural Organisation is supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. The Armagh Observatory is an astronomical research institute with a rich heritage, supported by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure.