International Year of Astronomy in Ireland

This painting depicts the southern sky on 24 December 2009 at 5:30 pm, when the MoonòÀÙs phase reaches first quarter. The next brightest celestial object at this time is the planet Jupiter, which this year is the òÀÜChristmas StaròÀÝ for the Royal School, Armagh, Northern Ireland. Jupiter is seen here just before it disappears behind the school. 

The painting shows stars in Pisces, Pegasus, Aquarius and other constellations, and the location of the planet Uranus (visible through a telescope) about a third of the way from the Moon to Jupiter. 

Uranus was found in 1781 (seven years after the old building of the Royal School was completed) by the astronomer and musician William Herschel, the discovery constituting the first identification of a planet since ancient times and earning Herschel the post of KingòÀÙs astronomer from George III. 

In 1609, the year after the founding of the Royal School, Galileo Galilei used an early telescope to observe the Moon and discover satellites of Jupiter. 

To mark the 400th anniversary of GalileoòÀÙs first use of the telescope to observe the sky, 2009 has been celebrated worldwide as the International Year of Astronomy. 

Moon over Armagh - link to Astronomy Sketch of the Day on 25 December 2009