Join us at DIAS Dunsink Observatory for a very special Samhain agus Science Event where Dr Patrick Kavanagh will present a journey to the darkest corners of the universe!

The timing of Samhain, when portals to the pagan Otherworld were opened to the souls of the dead, was likely determined by ancient pagan astronomers highlighting the incredibly rich and deep history of astronomy on this island. To this day, our astronomers peer into the unknown to understand the Universe we live in. In this talk, Dr. Patrick Kavanagh will give an overview of the history of astronomy on this island, from these ancient astronomers marking seasonal events to using the James Webb Space Telescope to look at the most distant and dark corners of the Universe.

Dr Kavanagh is part of the international Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) team onboard the James Webb Space Telescope. Webb is the most eagerly awaited space observatory of the last two decades and will be the premier observatory for the next!

Visitors will also have the opportunity to tour the rooms of our historic Observatory and speak with our researchers all about their work.