As one of very few science events during Dublin Culture Night 2012, the open night at Dunsink Observatory proved convincingly that astronomy is also part of Dublin’s culture. Favoured by clear skies, more than 700 visitors came out to Dunsink on Friday 21st September to look through the 12 inch Grubb telescope and listen to talks by astronomers Andrew Taylor, Aleks Scholz, Paul Dawson (DIAS) and Turlough Downes and Masha Chernyakova (DCU/DIAS).
The highlight of the evening was the sighting of a ‘meteor procession’ at 11pm – a group of about a dozen very bright fireballs moving rapidly from the eastern to the western horizon. This extremely rare astronomical event was witnessed from many locations in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It was most likely caused by an Earth-grazing meteor or, less probable, by debris from a man-made satellite.
Only a handful of similar events have been recorded in the past centuries. For more information on this meteor procession and the very few previous ones recorded see:
http://sattrackcam.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/more-on-21-september-2012-fireball-why.html
http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/culturelab/2010/06/the-forensic-astronomer-donald-olson.html
DIAS is very grateful to the Irish Federation of Astronomical Societies, the Irish Centre for High-End Computing and Met Eireann who all collaborated in making culture night in Dunsink such a great success.
Leave a Comment
Last Updated: 23rd May 2018 by Anne Grace
September 2012 – A Fiery Night at Dunsink Observatory
As one of very few science events during Dublin Culture Night 2012, the open night at Dunsink Observatory proved convincingly that astronomy is also part of Dublin’s culture. Favoured by clear skies, more than 700 visitors came out to Dunsink on Friday 21st September to look through the 12 inch Grubb telescope and listen to talks by astronomers Andrew Taylor, Aleks Scholz, Paul Dawson (DIAS) and Turlough Downes and Masha Chernyakova (DCU/DIAS).
The highlight of the evening was the sighting of a ‘meteor procession’ at 11pm – a group of about a dozen very bright fireballs moving rapidly from the eastern to the western horizon. This extremely rare astronomical event was witnessed from many locations in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It was most likely caused by an Earth-grazing meteor or, less probable, by debris from a man-made satellite.
Only a handful of similar events have been recorded in the past centuries. For more information on this meteor procession and the very few previous ones recorded see:
http://sattrackcam.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/more-on-21-september-2012-fireball-why.html
http://www.newscientist.com/blogs/culturelab/2010/06/the-forensic-astronomer-donald-olson.html
DIAS is very grateful to the Irish Federation of Astronomical Societies, the Irish Centre for High-End Computing and Met Eireann who all collaborated in making culture night in Dunsink such a great success.
Category: News
We have announced the winners of our SEA SEIS Competitions for Primary and Secondary Schools over on our website. Congratulations to all who took part and to the winners! Head to bit.ly/2uvsAin to see some the entries and find out more. #DIASdiscovers
Lecture 2 of our 4 part series, asking the question 'what is life?' is happening tomorrow at 1pm, and there are still a few places left! Join Prof. Chris Bean as he looks at 'Earth processes – drivers for life'. Reserve your free place at - bit.ly/2Hwp0gJ #DIASdiscovers
Today marks the date of birth of John L. Synge, 1897-1995, who served as Director of the @StpDias from 1956 to 1969. Synge brought a new direction and dynamism to the School with interests in general relativity geometry and a broad interest in all fields of classical physics.
It's #WorldPoetryDay! #DidYouKnow we have many books on ancient poetry for sale on or online shop?Find 'The wedding poems of Dáibhí Ó Bruadair', and 'Poems on the O'Reillys'. Browse the shop at bit.ly/2UObyHK
Next week Professor Chris Bean @dias_geophysics will give the second lecture in the series, ‘Earth processes - drivers for life’. Register to attend on Thursday 28th March here: eventbrite.ie/e/earth-proces… #DIASdiscovers
Prof @petertgallagher finishes his talk with a question for the audience to ponder, ‘Is there anyone or anything out there?’ #DIASdiscovers
Radio telescopes such as @I_LOFAR here in Ireland help scientists explore the question ‘What is extraterrestrial life?’ #DIASdiscovers
.@petertgallagher gives us some possible solutions to the Fermi Paradox which postulates the possible existence of extraterrestrial life #DIASdiscovers
As of March 2019 there are 3,925 confirmed exoplanets in the @NASA Exoplanet Archive. @petertgallagher explains how astrophysicists detect these planets by looking at light curves as they transit in front of stars. #DIASdiscovers
Prof @petertgallagher kicks off with an apt quote from Schrödinger, ‘Some of us should adventure to embark on a syntheses of facts and theories....and the risk of making fools of ourselves’ #DIASdiscovers
Registrar Eucharia Meehan currently introducing the series and today’s speaker @petertgallagher #DIASdiscovers
Today at DIAS Professor @petertgallagher is answering the question ‘What is Extra-terrestrial Life?’. This is the first talk in a four-part public lecture series exploring ‘What is Life?’, famously considered by Professor Erwin Schrödinger in 1943. #DIASdiscovers
Tomorrow, at 1pm, Professor @petertgallagher will ask “What is Extra-terrestrial Life?” in the first of a four part public lecture series. There are a limited number of places still available - reserve your place free of charge at bit.ly/2HEJfYN. #DIASdiscovers
Have you registered for our commemorative 'What is Life?' public lecture series? Part 1 taking place on Thursday with @petertgallagher. More info here: bit.ly/2FbUl5J
Trína tograí ceannródaíocha sna daonnachtaí digiteacha, anois tá saothar @SCSLibrary ar fáil ar fud an domhain ar an idirlíon. Sampla is ea an togra Ogham in 3D de thogra a chuidíonn go mór le caomhnú ár gcultúir #DIASdiscovers #SnaG19