An exhibition celebrating 100 years of space exploration was launched today (19.08.19) by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) at Wood Quay Venue, Dublin 8.
‘Above and Beyond’ is an international travelling exhibition exploring a selection of the most important achievements in astronomy and space exploration during the past century.
The exhibition takes the visitor on a chronological journey through a century of scientific, technological and cultural advancements (1919 to 2018), highlighting some of the most recognisable places and events that contributed to the greatest achievements in modern astronomy and space exploration.
The exhibition starts in 1919, the year astronomical equipment made by Howard Grubb in Rathmines, Dublin, was used to prove Einstein’s Theory of Gravity. The Grubb Coelostat and Einstein Lens, which are usually housed at the DIAS Dunsink Observatory, will feature as part of the exhibition at the Wood Quay venue.
‘Above and Beyond’ is a collaboration between the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and Science Now and is being hosted by DIAS until Thursday, 29th August. It was first staged in Vienna in August 2018 and has since travelled to selected venues in Europe, including Munich, Venice and Rome. It is currently completing an all-Ireland tour of Armagh, Birr, Dublin, Cork and Galway.
Commenting on the arrival of the exhibition to Dublin, Eucharia Meehan CEO and Registrar of DIAS said: “DIAS is delighted to host the ‘Above and Beyond’ exhibition here in the Wood Quay Venue in Dublin, and to give the public an opportunity to engage with space research and the significant breakthroughs that have been made over the past 100 years.
“As pioneers of space research in Ireland for over 50 years, DIAS has contributed significantly to ground-breaking work in this area – from the study of lunar material from the first moon landing to experiments on the International Space Station. It is fantastic to have some of our own equipment and documents from the archives at DIAS on display here alongside the exhibition to reflect that.”
Officially opening the exhibition today, Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development, John Halligan TD, said: “Astronomy is an integral part of our research environment and also of the third-level curriculum, with several Irish universities offering Physics with Astronomy degrees. It is, of course, a central research area for the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, which is hosting this exhibition, and it is also a very popular hobby among the public.
“Interest in astronomy is at an all-time high and this exhibition hopefully plays a small part in enhancing our knowledge of the amazing universe in which we live.”
The exhibition is available for the public to visit, free of charge, at Wood Quay Venue from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, from 20th to 29th August. It will officially close at 1pm on Thursday, 29th August. Further information is available at: www.dias.ie/event/iau-above-beyond-exhibit/.
ENDS
Astronomy exhibition celebrating 100 years of exploration launches in Dublin
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Last Updated: 21st October 2019 by Caoimhe Mulhall
An exhibition celebrating 100 years of space exploration was launched today (19.08.19) by the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) at Wood Quay Venue, Dublin 8.
‘Above and Beyond’ is an international travelling exhibition exploring a selection of the most important achievements in astronomy and space exploration during the past century.
The exhibition takes the visitor on a chronological journey through a century of scientific, technological and cultural advancements (1919 to 2018), highlighting some of the most recognisable places and events that contributed to the greatest achievements in modern astronomy and space exploration.
The exhibition starts in 1919, the year astronomical equipment made by Howard Grubb in Rathmines, Dublin, was used to prove Einstein’s Theory of Gravity. The Grubb Coelostat and Einstein Lens, which are usually housed at the DIAS Dunsink Observatory, will feature as part of the exhibition at the Wood Quay venue.
‘Above and Beyond’ is a collaboration between the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and Science Now and is being hosted by DIAS until Thursday, 29th August. It was first staged in Vienna in August 2018 and has since travelled to selected venues in Europe, including Munich, Venice and Rome. It is currently completing an all-Ireland tour of Armagh, Birr, Dublin, Cork and Galway.
Commenting on the arrival of the exhibition to Dublin, Eucharia Meehan CEO and Registrar of DIAS said: “DIAS is delighted to host the ‘Above and Beyond’ exhibition here in the Wood Quay Venue in Dublin, and to give the public an opportunity to engage with space research and the significant breakthroughs that have been made over the past 100 years.
“As pioneers of space research in Ireland for over 50 years, DIAS has contributed significantly to ground-breaking work in this area – from the study of lunar material from the first moon landing to experiments on the International Space Station. It is fantastic to have some of our own equipment and documents from the archives at DIAS on display here alongside the exhibition to reflect that.”
Officially opening the exhibition today, Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development, John Halligan TD, said: “Astronomy is an integral part of our research environment and also of the third-level curriculum, with several Irish universities offering Physics with Astronomy degrees. It is, of course, a central research area for the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, which is hosting this exhibition, and it is also a very popular hobby among the public.
“Interest in astronomy is at an all-time high and this exhibition hopefully plays a small part in enhancing our knowledge of the amazing universe in which we live.”
The exhibition is available for the public to visit, free of charge, at Wood Quay Venue from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, from 20th to 29th August. It will officially close at 1pm on Thursday, 29th August. Further information is available at: www.dias.ie/event/iau-above-beyond-exhibit/.
ENDS
Category: Administration, Astronomy and Astrophysics, DIAS, News
Astronomy and Astrophysics