ABOUT

The Irish Astronomical Society / Cumann Realteolaíocta na hÉireann welcomes you.

The Society, the National Society for Ireland, was set up in October 1937, by a group of people who met at The Red Bank Restaurant, D'Olier St., Dublin. The Society is democratic, accountable organisation governed by a Committee. In 2007 we celebrated our 70th Anniversary.

How to Join: Membership is open to all interested in Astronomy.
How to contact us:
E-Mail: ias1937@hotmail.com
Write to: P.O. Box 2547, Dublin 14, Ireland
More about the History of The Society.
Honours.
Articles some written especially for the web and some from Orbit.

Meetings

Evelyn Cusack (centre) after lecturing on FASTEX with President, James O'Connor (right) and member Henry Maude (left)on 1st February 1999.
photo courtesy of
Barry Pickup

The Meetings Programme runs from September to May with a meeting held each month, usually consisting of lectures and talks by professional persons and members. Among the memorable lectures of the past were

a lecture delivered by Colonel Kenneth E. Edgeworth on 9 April 1952 in which he set out publicly for the first time details of his theory of the origin of the solar system and the existence of what is now described as the Edgeworth-Kuiper Belt of comets; and

a lecture delivered by Professor Tao Kiang on 17 April 1978 in which he described his new theory of the dynamics of the asteroid belt, accounting for the bunching of asteroids in certain locations where existing theories predicted gaps.

a lecture delivered by Professor Patrick A. Wayman on 1 November 1993. He described his deep research into the Story of Thomas and Howard Grubb and their great telescope-manufacturing establishment at Observatory Lane, Rathmines, Dublin. Prof. Wayman was still working on his biography of the Grubbs when he died on 21st December 1998.

a lecture delivered by Mr John McConnell on 17th April 2000. He described the many his many years of research into the great 19th century observatory established at Daramona, Co. Westmeath by William E. Wilson.

a lecture delivered by Dr John Mason on 25th March 2002. He described the current state of our understanding of the planet Mars.

Star Parties

Dunsink Observatory 12" South refractor
photo courtesy of
Barry Pickup

Viewing nights for members are held each month at both our site in the Dublin Mountains and at Dunsink Observatory (location) where we can use the 30cm(12") South refractor.

Dublin Sidewalk Astronomers over the years.

As well as member star parties there are public star parties. These are conducted by the I.A.S.'s "Dublin Sidewalk Astronomers" from time to time. They are free of charge.

Outings

I.A.S. visit to Armagh Observatory 6th Nov 1999.
photo courtesy of
Paul Fitzgerald

Outings to places of scientific interest are arranged from time to time. Among places that have been visited a number of times are Dunsink and Armagh Observatories, Armagh Planetarium, Schull Planetarium, Birr Castle, Newgrange and Jodrell Bank radio telescope.

In 1986, a Society Group went to the Canary Islands to view Halley’s Comet and visit the astronomical observatories on the Islands. Many members have travelled to various locations throughout the world in order to view total eclipses of the sun. Groups travelled to Bulgaria to see Eclipse '99, to Zimbabwe to see the 2001 Eclipse, to Spain in 2005 and to Turkey/Libya to view the recent Eclipse in 2006.

In the spring of 2003 we visted Jack Newton's Astronomy B&B in Canada. Later in 2003 we visited Iceland for the Aurora. In early 2005 a visit was arranged to the British National Space Centre in Leicester.

I.A.S. visit to Dunsink Observatory 8th May 1999.
photo courtesy of
Barry Pickup

Members had a most enjoyable visit to Dunsink Observatory on 21st Sep. 2002.

I.A.S. group in front of the South Telescope Dome, 2002.
photo courtesy of
John O'Neill

Members enjoy Solar Observing with a filtered telescope, 2002
photo courtesy of
John O'Neill

Library

The Society also has a Library of books, magazines and videos. These are available for free loaning to members.
A list is available to Members on the Members Forum.

Social Events

From time to time we have social events. On 21st January 2000 we held a 'Year 2000' Dinner, this was followed by a 'Millennium' Dinner on 19th January 2001 At both events everybody had a most enjoyable evening. Subsequently this became an annual event each January.

In the photograph are William Burns (Vice President), Michael Cummins (President), Eunan Murray, Liam Smyth, James O'Connor, John O'Neill (Hon.Secretary) and Angela O'Connell (Hon.Treasurer).

Photo courtesy William Burns.

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