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Introduction

The Armagh Observatory, founded in 1790 by Archbishop Richard Robinson, is a modern astronomical research institute with a rich heritage. It is situated close to the centre of the City of Armagh in grounds which include the Armagh Planetarium and a scale model of the universe known as the Armagh Astropark. The Observatory, which is one of the UK and Ireland's leading scientific research establishments, receives baseline support from the Department of Education Northern Ireland (DENI) to maintain the grounds, the Grade A listed building and some 15 core-funded research and support staff.

In addition to these established posts, there is a fluctuating population of short-term research staff, currently numbering 18. These include research students, postdoctoral research assistants, senior research associates, and visitors, many of whom are engaged on fixed-term research contracts for periods ranging from one to three years or more. Overall, around 25 astronomers of graduate or postdoctoral status are actively studying Stellar Astrophysics, the Sun, Solar System astronomy, and the Earth's climate.

Facilities at Armagh Observatory for computing and data reduction are mostly excellent and include a local Starlink node funded by the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC). Observatory staff receive regular awards of telescope time and research grants from the PPARC and other organizations.

Research interests of Observatory staff currently include (i) Stellar Astrophysics (including star formation, astrophysical jets, the Sun, cool stars, hot stars, helium stars, star-spots, flares, circumstellar dust), (ii) Solar System Astronomy (including celestial mechanics, planet formation, dynamical evolution of comets and asteroids, interplanetary dust), and (iii) Solar System - Terrestrial Relationships (including solar variability, climate, accretion of interplanetary dust and cometary impacts). In addition, Observatory staff maintain an active programme of Public Understanding of Science (PUS), via lectures, popular astronomy articles and interviews with the press, radio and television. Further details concerning the research interests of all the Observatory staff may be obtained from the Observatory web-site at: http://www.arm.ac.uk/.

The Mission Statement of the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is:

To advance the knowledge and understanding of astronomy and related sciences through the execution, promotion and dissemination of astronomical research nationally and internationally in order to enrich the intellectual, economic, social and cultural life of the community.

The Armagh Observatory participates in the UK Research Assessment Exercise, held in 1992, 1996 and again in 2001. Staff at the Observatory achieved a Grade 4 in the Physics Unit of Assessment (on a seven-point scale 1-5^*, with 5^* the highest) in each of the 1992 and 1996 RAEs. This grade corresponds to `Research quality that equates to attainable levels of national excellence in virtually all sub-areas of activity, possibly showing some evidence of international excellence, or to international level in some and at least national level in a majority.'