Armagh Observatory, 27 July 2009: A major exhibition, featuring some of the best astronomical images ever taken, is on display in the Lurgan Library until the end of July. The exhibition, called "From Earth To The Universe", is one of the Armagh Observatory and Lurgan LibraryтАЩs contributions to the International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009). The Belfast-based Irish Astronomical Association is working together with Armagh Observatory and the all-Ireland node for IYA2009 to display the exhibition at various locations in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Dr Miruna Popescu of Armagh Observatory, who designed the exhibition, said: "I am so pleased that Lurgan Library has agreed to display these large posters. It is a wonderful venue and a great advertisement for astronomers worldwide. The exhibition helps to explain what astronomers here in Armagh and elsewhere are up to. The images open our eyes to the vastness of the Universe and they are simply beautiful!"
On Thursday 30 July 2009, Miruna together with the Lurgan Library will provide a free ASTRO-ART FUN workshop aimed at children aged 8 to 12. Come and paint the stars, the planets and our solar system! To book a place for the workshop, please contact Lurgan Library at Tel: 028-3832-3912, or email them.
The director of the Armagh Observatory, Professor Mark Bailey, added "This is another wonderful opportunity to demonstrate the on-going collaboration in education and learning between the various organizations supported by the Northern Ireland Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL)."
Major contributors to IYA2009 activities throughout the island of Ireland include IrelandтАЩs science promotion programme Discover Science and Engineering, the DCAL, the Northern Ireland Space Office at Armagh Planetarium, the European Southern Observatory, the Armagh Observatory and NUI Galway. For more information about the programme of activities organized for the International Year of Astronomy on the island of Ireland, or to book the travelling astronomy exhibition for your venue, please visit the Irish International Year of Astronomy website or contact the Armagh Observatory.