16 December 2008, NUI Galway: Dr. Martin Mansergh TD, Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works today announced broadcast details of this yearòÀÙs Winter Solstice at Newgrange, County Meath. Minister Mansergh said òÀÜlast year, for the first time ever, the Office of Public Works (OPW) broadcast a live internet web stream of the iconic sunrise in the 5,000 year old chamber at Newgrange, County Meath. Many thousands of people all around the world tuned in to enjoy coverage and I am delighted, this year, to announce that we are providing a similar live stream of the event on our Heritage Ireland website, www.heritageireland.ie In addition, Free to Air coverage will be available to any television outlets who wish to broadcast the event.òÀÝ
The Minister continued òÀÜthis year also sees an exciting collaboration between my Office and the International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009). Ireland will be the first country in the world to mark the start of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 with this special event and we are happy to work in partnership with IYA 2009, Discover Science & Engineering and NUI Galway , the main sponsoring bodies of the Irish node of IYA 2009òÀÝ
The International Year of Astronomy (IYA2009) is a global celebration of astronomy and its entirely peaceful contribution to society and culture. 2009 is the 400th anniversary of the first use of an astronomical telescope by Galileo, in reality the beginning of the modern age in astronomy. The aim of IYA2009 is to stimulate a worldwide interest and encourage participation in astronomy and in science amongst students at all levels, and among the general public. In Ireland, a programme of events for IYA2009 is being organised by the Irish Node of IYA2009, headed by Professor Michael Redfern, Centre for Astronomy, NUI Galway.
According to Professor Redfern, who lectures in Astrophysics, the Newgrange event is the perfect way to mark the coming year: òÀÜThe Solar new year actually begins with the winter solstice, so in terms of astrophysics we will already be entering 2009. Newgrange is an extraordinary structure, demonstrating what a deep understanding of astronomy and what great precision in building the passage tomb was shown by our Irish ancestors, some 5000 years ago. It is a most moving event to witness for oneself the first rays of sunlight entering and lighting up the inner chamber where they placed the cremated remains of their ancestors, as it must have been for them. The hope for 2009 is that initiatives throughout the year will encourage participation in science, will provide a modern gender-balanced view of science and scientists, and will encourage cooperation between astronomers in the developed and developing world. We are very grateful to the Office of Public works for the opportunity to work in partnership with them on this world renowned event òÀÝ.
- For further information on this broadcast or on Newgrange please contact Kevin Kennedy, OPW Press Office at 00 353 1 6476159, 00 353 87 9303888 or kevin.kennedy@opw.ie
- For further information on the Irish Node of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 please contact Professor Michael Redfern, NUI Galway at 091 493717 or mike.redfern@nuigalway.ie
Notes for Viewers/Editors on technical details on how to receive the broadcast and on IYA2009:
- The winter solstice illumination of the Newgrange passage tomb happens at 0858 Greenwich Mean Time on Sunday 21st December 2008.
- A live stream of the event will be available free of charge on the OPWòÀÙs Heritage Ireland website, www.heritageireland.ie and at www.astronomy2009.ie
- The direct link to the live stream is: http://www.servecast.com/opw/211208/index.html
- Windows Media Player (or an equivalent) will be required to view this live stream.
- Live footage of the event will be available to broadcast media and satellite users from the following satellite frequency:
December 21 2008
Times 08.30 to 09.30GMT
Satellite: Intelsat 10-02 at 1 degrees West Dig 20
Downlink Frequency: 11535.5MHz
Vertical Polarisation
6.111 MSym/sec
FEC 3/4
No Encryption
About IYA2009
So far 150 nations and 14 organisations have signed up to participate in the IYA2009 - an unprecedented network of committed communicators and educators in astronomy. The United Nations (UN) 62nd General Assembly proclaimed 2009 the òÀØInternational Year of AstronomyòÀÙ. The Resolution was submitted by Italy, Galileo GalileiòÀÙs home country, and was co-sponsored by Ireland. The International Year of Astronomy 2009 is an initiative of the International Astronomical Union and UNESCO.
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