IMPORTANT NOTICE: Due to a major conference at QUB at this time –

1) There will be no parking in front of the physics building or around Whitla Hall. Parking will be available via the Botanic Avenue entrance, or on-street if you can find a spot.

2) The normal entrance to the Larmor Lecture Theatre will be closed. Entry and exit will be via the original entrance for the Bell Lecture Theatre at the other end of the building to the main physics building, and through it to the Larmor via the ground floor. This entrance requires QUB card access, so QUB staff will let people in and show them the way to the Larmor in batches. It also applies to exiting after the meeting, so your co-operation is requested. This will be inconvenient, but it can’t be avoided.

3) There will be no tea/coffee after the meeting this time.

4) As parking spaces will be at a premium, consider using public transport or car-sharing.

 “Cosmology on the Brink: What exploding stars tell us about the history of the Universe”

Abstract: Our Universe is expanding. The theory of the Big Bang and cosmic expansion is backed up by countless evidence, but what it is made of and how that content controls the expansion rate is still a mystery: 70% is some `dark energy’ which appears to be countering gravity to accelerate the expansion rate, and what dark energy is and how it works are some of the largest open questions in modern physics.

Measuring the expansion rate at different points in cosmic history is key to understanding how dark energy works and eventually what it is made of. The most simple models suggest that dark energy should be the same at all places and times, while myriad more exotic theories exist that predict an evolving dark energy. Modern day experiments are able to make expansion-rate measurements to extraordinary precision. This year, two major astronomical surveys combined to provide the most accurate measurements of dark energy’s effects and left tantalising clues that it is indeed evolving, a result which if proven would require a full re-write of one of the fundamental theories of the Universe. One of these, the Dark Energy Survey, makes use of a particular type of exploding star (supernova) to make its distance measurements. DES has re-defined how cosmology is performed with supernovae, with stunning success. In this talk I will introduce the background of dark energy and supernova-cosmology, describe how DES managed to make such precise measurements, and discuss the implications of a non-constant dark energy for our cosmological understanding.

Bio:

Phil Wiseman is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Southampton. He received an undergraduate Masters in Physics from Durham University in 2014 before moving to Munich for a PhD at the Max-Planck-Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics. There, he worked on gamma-ray bursts and the interstellar medium of very distant galaxies. In 2017 he moved to Southampton to begin work on the Dark Energy Survey. He has since worked on numerous aspects of supernovae with a particular interest in how they relate to the galaxies in which they explode. Recently, he led a team that discovered and analysed the most energetic cosmic event ever observed, believed to be caused by a supermassive black hole. He will continue research to understand that new phenomenon for which he was awarded an Ernest Rutherford Fellowship.

Admission free, all are welcome.

“GoTo, Black Gem, and the hunt for the optical counterpart of Gravitational wave events.”

Abstract:

The discovery of gravitational waves in 2015 was the culmination of

decades of developing and building ever more sensitive

instruments. However, these observations cant pin-point exactly where

in the sky these bursts come from. If astronomers can identify the

electromagnetic counterpart of such events we can gain so much more

information about the nature of the event. The GOTO and BlackGem

optical surveys are two projects which aim to detect these

counterparts. I will outline how they go about searching for transient

events, their discoveries and highlight how the wider public can help

in this work.

Bio:

Gavin obtained his PhD in X-ray observations of accreting binary stars

from UCL’s Mullard Space Science Lab, after which he spent two years

at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands. Returing to MSSL for

more than ten years, he then moved to Armagh Observatory. His

interests include aaccreting binaries, stellar activity, transients

and exo-planets and uses multi-wavelength observations from radio to

X-ray bands. He is the Community Scientist for ESA’s Plato mission due

to be launched in 2026.

VENUE: Larmor Lecture Theatre, Astrophysics Research Centre, Physics Building, QUB.

Admission free, including light refreshments, All welcome.

“Big Science with Small Telescopes”

Synopsis:

With the successful launch of EIRSAT-1, Ireland has become a space-faring nation. This 2kg CubeSat packs a lot into its small volume. Using technology originally developed by an Irish company for use in PET scanners, a miniaturized gamma-ray detector on-board is designed to pick up short-lived bursts of high-energy radiation from dying stars. The spacecraft also contains a magnetic attitude control testbed, a heat resistant surface treatment experiment, and a deployable antenna.

Turning EIRSAT-1 from an idea to reality required the hard work and dedication over 6 years of a core team of physics, engineering, maths and computer science students, supported by the European Space Agency’s ‘Fly Your Satellite’ programme and UCD staff.  

Space is a harsh and unforgiving environment. To ensure that instruments can survive launch, and operate  successfully in space, they must withstand strenuous testing on the ground. All the experiments developed in-house had to go through rigorous ‘shake ‘n bake’ test campaigns to ensure their suitability for the space environment.

As well as building scientific and technology demonstration payloads for space, another goal of the mission is to inspire the next generation of space scientists, engineers, designers, dreamers & creators. A poem that was co-created by school students and creative writers is etched on the spacecraft.

After its launch from California on December 1^st 2023, there were some tense moments until a 2-way communication link was established. Early in the mission, the spacecraft spin rate rapidly increased, presenting a serious risk of mission loss. Thanks to swift action by the team, the spin rate is under control, with the root cause still under investigation. In a Sun Synchronous orbit at an altitude of ~507km, EIRSAT-1 has an expected lifetime of 2-3 years, after which time it will burn up as it re-enters Earth’s atmosphere.

I will give an update on the mission, its goals and latest results.

Bio:

LORRAINE HANLON is Full Professor of Astronomy at UCD and Director of UCD’s Centre for Space Research. She did her undergraduate (BSc) and graduate (MSc and PhD) degrees in Experimental Physics and was a research fellow and an EU Human Capital and Mobility fellow at the European Space and Technology Research Centre (ESTEC) in the Netherlands, ESA’s establishment for space mission development. She joined the academic staff of UCD in 1996, serving as Head of the School of Physics between 2008 and 2011.

Her main research interests are in high-energy astrophysics, gamma-ray bursts, multi-messenger astronomy, robotic telescopes, and space instrumentation.

Lorraine was Chair of ESA’s Astronomy Working Group and a member of the ESA Space Science Advisory Committee between 2019 and 2023. She has served as science advisor to the Irish delegation to the ESA Science Programme Committee since 2011 and is a member of the National Advisory Committee for the European Southern Observatory. She is a former trustee of the Royal Astronomical Society and a former Chair of the INTEGRAL Users’ Group.

She is the Endorsing Professor for EIRSAT-1, Ireland’s first satellite, a CubeSat that was developed by an interdisciplinary team of UCD students and staff under ESA’s ‘Fly Your Satellite!’ programme. EIRSAT-1 was launched on December 1st 2023 and is currently operational in a Sun Synchronous orbit.

“The Heaviest Black Holes”

For the most massive stars in the Universe – up to at least 300 times the mass of the Sun – it is thought that their cores collapse to just a point in space,: a ‘singularity’.

Such singularity is usually referred to as a Black Hole, where the force of gravity is so humongous that even light cannot escape. This is why the object is Black, you simply cannot see it.

In this talk, I will address how we know that Black Holes exist and how Heavy they become. It will be particularly interesting to consider if those stars that lived in the very Early Universe were capable of producing heavier Black Holes than produced today.

Bio

Prof Jorick Vink finished his thesis on “radiation-driven winds of massive stars” at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, before moving to Imperial College London in the UK in 2001. 

He was awarded an RCUK Academic Fellowship at Keele University in 2005 before moving to Armagh Observatory in 2007 where he became a Research Astronomer. 

He was Acting director of Armagh planetarium in 2015-2016, and received a visiting Professorship from the University of Leeds in 2017. 

His main research interests are in stellar evolution, atmospheres, and winds from massive stars up to explosion. 

He is currently Principal Investigator (PI) of the ESO-VLT Large Programme: “X-Shooting ULLYSES: the physics of massive stars at low Metallicity”. 

VENUE: Larmor Lecture Theatre, Astrophysics Research Centre, Physics Building, QUB.

Admission free, including light refreshments, All welcome.

The
Irish Astronomical Association and North Down Bird Watching Club are presenting an event at Crawfordsburn on Saturday 28th September.

Free 20 minute star shows in a portable planetarium

Make fat balls to feed the birds

Colouring-in of bird pictures

Everyone welcome

11am to 2pm

Saturday 28^th September

In the Meadow Suite (opposite the café)

“Integral-field spectroscopy (IFS) allows Astronomer to obtain optical spectral across the entire field of view of their telescopes. It was pioneered in the late 1990s and is now become a mainstream and incredibly powerful observing technique. Indeed, IFS observations allow to map the stellar and gaseous properties of extended objects such as galaxies, stellar clusters or galactic nebulae, providing key insights on their formation and evolution.

In my talk I will provide several glaring examples from my own research at AOP showcasing the scientific power of IFS observations.”

Dr Marc Sarzi is Head of Research at the Armagh Observatory & Planetarium. He did his PhD between Padua and Heidelberg while working on supermassive black holes using the Hubble Space Telescope before moving to Durham and Oxford where he was part of the SAURON survey that pioneered the use of integral-field spectroscopy (IFS) in extra-galactic astronomy.

He has since then continued to play a major role in several IFS studies, including ones based on the MUSE instrument on the ESO Very Large Telescope.

His interests spans all aspects of galaxy formation and evolution, which he studies mostly from an astro-archeological perspective through the details study of relatively nearby galaxies. 

VENUE: Larmor Lecture Theatre, Astrophysics Research Centre, Physics Building, QUB.

Admission free, including light refreshments, All welcome.

The Lecture Programme is held in association with the School of Mathematics and Physics, Queen’s University Belfast.

It runs from September until the end of April and is held in the Larmor Lecture Theatre in the Physics Building, main campus, Queen’s University, Belfast.

Meetings start at 7.30pm sharp and consist of a short talk given by one of our members followed by the main lecture, usually given by a Professional Astronomer.  

The lecture over, light refreshments are available free of charge. At this time members are free to mix and discuss the latest astronomical news and events. The meeting finishes well before 10.00pm.

Sep 18, Dr Marc Sarzi, AOP. “The Power of Integral Field Spectroscopy in Astronomy”

Oct 02: Dr Jorick Vink, AOP: “The Heaviest Black Holes”

Oct 16: Prof Lorraine Hanlon, UCD: “Big Science with Small Telescopes”

Oct 30: Dr Gavin Ramsay, AOP, “GoTo, Black Gem, and the hunt for the optical counterpart of Gravitational wave events.”

Nov 13: Prof Phil Wiseman :  Something on the mysteries of Dark Matter

Nov 27: Dr Charlotte Angus, ARC, QUB, Title tba,

Dec 13: QUB Students or Members night/workshop.

This major event will celebrate the 50 years since the formation of the IAA (formerly the Belfast and Armagh Centres of the IAS). We have FOUR major speakers in the afternoon session, exclusive access to the Star-theatre with great shows all morning, tours of the observatory and Astropark and another little-known astronomy site. Lunch and snacks will be provided free on-site. There will also be an optional special anniversary dinner in the Armagh City Hotel, the cost of which includes wine.

NB – There are still some places available – it’s not too late to book!

WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM FOR HOSTING THIS EVENT.

NB: Non-IAA members and guests are welcome  too: it will be a great day, not to be missed.

HIGHLIGHT SPEAKERS:

Professor Peter Gallagher, Head of School of Cosmic Physics, DIAS: “Flying Through the Solar Wind with Solar Orbiter”

ABSTRACT:

The Solar Orbiter missions launched in February 2020 and since then has been winding its way through the solar system into the inner heliosphere, where it is now giving us new views and measurements of the solar wind and solar transients. In this talk, I will describe the mission, the insights that Orbiter is giving us, and describe the Solar-Telescope Imaging X-rays (STIX) instrument that the team at the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies is involved in. In addition, I will describe the solar and geomagnetic activity that we have had in recent weeks together with prospects for future solar activity. 

Biography: Professor Peter Gallagher is Head of Astronomy & Astrophysics and Director of Dunsink Observatory, in the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, Ireland. He was also instrumental in establishing the I-Lofar Radio Telescope Observatory in Birr Castle Demesne, which is part of the LOFAR Europe-wide network.

Professor Stefano Bagnulo, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium
“Auroral phenomena and metal scars at the surface of white dwarfs”

Abstract: When stars like our Sun reach the end of their lives, they shrink down to Earth-sized objects called white dwarfs. Remarkably, about one in four white dwarfs possesses an incredibly strong magnetic field — often much stronger than anything we can create on Earth. Many of these white dwarfs capture remnants of their planetary systems, such as comets, asteroids, or even small planets, which fall onto their surfaces. I will describe the recent discovery of a white dwarf where the debris of an asteroid similar to Vesta in size have been funneled by the star’s magnetic field, and concentrated around the magnetic poles, creating a phenomenon reminiscent or Earth’s auroras. I will explain what these observations tell us about exo-solar planets, and about the atmospheres of white dwarfs. I will also describe the telescopes that enabled this discovery, and provide insight, more in general, into the modern methods used for astronomical observations.

Biography: Stefano Bagnulo studied Physics at the University of Florence in Italy, and obtained his PhD at QUB, Belfast, in 1996. He has worked at the University of Vienna, and at the Paranal Observatory in Chile, where he was a member of the Science Operations Team of the ESO Very Large Telescope. He joined Armagh Observatory in 2007.

Professor Tom Ray, School of Cosmic Physics, DIAS: “Building the Extremely Large Telescope: Challenges and Hopes for the Future”

Abstract: The Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) is over half-way to completion. Its construction will not only be a
milestone in the history of the European Southern Observatory but also for Astronomy. In my talk I will explain the challenges we have faced, the novel solutions, and the hoped-for scientific return. I will also describe the first set of instruments and what we hope they will achieve.

 Biography: Professor Tom Ray is a senior professor in the DIAS School of Cosmic Physics,

He is Co-Principal Investigator of the Mid-Infrared Instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope, and also leads a group in DIAS developing optical/near-infrared Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs) for use in Astronomy. He is an ERC Advanced Grant Laureate and his other interests include ancient astronomical sites, like Newgrange, and Historical Astronomy.

Tom received his primary degree in Theoretical Physics from Trinity College Dublin in 1978, followed by an MSc and PhD from the University of Manchester while carrying out research in Radio Astronomy at Jodrell Bank. He subsequently became a research fellow at the University of Sussex, an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg and then returned to Ireland as a Lecturer in University College Dublin. He became one of the youngest professors in the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies in 1986.

Tom is the Robert Ball Professor in Trinity College Dublin, a member of the Royal Irish Academy (MRIA), a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (FRAS), and a Member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Professor Alan Fitzsimmons, Astrophysics Research Centre, QUB “Exocomets”

 Abstract: Every year roughly 60 more comets are discovered orbiting our Sun. But for decades, astronomers have been discovering comet-like objects in other Solar systems. Slowly but surely astronomers have been uncovering their secrets. This talk will briefly review how astronomers discover and understand comets formed in other Solar systems, some light-years away and some a bit closer, and how much we understand about them at present.

Biography: Professor Alan Fitzsimmons has been an astronomer at Queen’s University Belfast for almost half the orbit of Halley’s Comet. His research has mainly involved finding that asteroids and comets are red, or gassy, or red and gassy. His current interests are finding marks to give in student’s exam papers, and planning a holiday. (This is what Alan supplied – needless to say he is being FAR too modest, as we all know!)

DINNER: After the Dinner in the Armagh City Hotel, there will be a presentation by members of some historic photos,  and the recent Total Solar Eclipse in North America, and some of the best recent aurora photos.

COST:

Full event, including lunch and morning and afternoon light refreshments, plus evening dinner, including wine: £65 adults, £30 children

Day events only as above, but excluding dinner: Adults £20, children £10.

PAYMENT: Must be received NO LATER than Thursday 16 May!

By cheque, payable to Irish Astronomical Association, to IAA Secretary, Mary Kirwan-Mackey, 89 Old Gransha Rd, Bangor, Co Down, BT19 7HA. or

Paypal: Go to  www.irishastro.org and click the donate button or

Bank Transfer:  To; Irish Astronomical Association, Sort code 950114, Account No 20095443, or  contact secretary at: Callistoboxer@hotmail.com for advice/details

NB: IF you turn up on the day, with payment, we won’t turn you away provided that there are still places available.

TIMETABLE:

09.30: Registration, tea coffee.

10.00: Stardome – welcome by Director of AOP, Professor Michael Burton, and IAA President Paul Bates

10.15: Stardome – Show “CapCom Go”

11.00: Stardome – Show “Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon”

11.40: Stardome – Show: Special Showcase production by AOP

12.00: Copernicus Hall: Lunch – Soup and Sandwiches

13.00: Copernicus Hall: Lecture: Prof Peter Gallagher – ‘Solar Orbiter’

13.50: Copernicus Hall: Lecture: Prof Stefano Bagnulo – ‘Aurorae and Metal Scars on White Dwarfs’

14.40: Copernicus Hall: Tea, Coffee, light snacks

15.00: Copernicus Hall: Lecture: Prof Tom Ray – ‘Building the Extremely Large Telescope’

15.50: Copernicus Hall: Lecture: Prof Alan Fitzsimmons: “Exocomets”

16.40: Copernicus Hall: Closing comments + outline of rest of programme

17.00: All must be out of the Planetarium!

17.15: Tours of Observatory, Astropark and Hill of Infinity. (NB, the latter involves walking on grass uphill: wear suitable footwear!). Because of space limitations, only a small group can enter the main observatory building at one time, so there will be several groups, and the tours will operate in rotation.  Unfortunately, the tour inside the building, and the Hill of Infinity, are not suitable for wheelchair users, or anyone with severe mobility restrictions.

18.30 (approx). Walking visit to the Celestial Sphere, Upper English Street.

19.15 (approx) Make your way to the Armagh City Hotel: for check in, comfort breaks, relaxation

20.00 Dinner in Armagh City Hotel

Followed by presentation by members of some historic events, the recent total solar eclipse and aurora

This major event will celebrate the 50 years since the formation of the IAA (formerly the Belfast and Armagh Centres of the IAS). We have FOUR major speakers in the afternoon session, exclusive access to the Star-theatre with great shows all morning, tours of the observatory and Astropark and another little-known astronomy site. Lunch and snacks will be provided free on-site. There will also be an optional special anniversary dinner in the Armagh City Hotel.

WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO ARMAGH OBSERVATORY AND PLANETARIUM FOR HOSTING THIS EVENT.

NB: Non-IAA members and guests are welcome  too: it will be a great day, not to be missed.

HIGHLIGHT SPEAKERS:

Professor Stefano Bagnulo, Armagh Observatory and Planetarium
“Auroral phenomena and metal scars at the surface of white dwarfs”

Abstract: When stars like our Sun reach the end of their lives, they shrink down to Earth-sized objects called white dwarfs. Remarkably, about one in four white dwarfs possesses an incredibly strong magnetic field — often much stronger than anything we can create on Earth. Many of these white dwarfs capture remnants of their planetary systems, such as comets, asteroids, or even small planets, which fall onto their surfaces. I will describe the recent discovery of a white dwarf where the debris of an asteroid similar to Vesta in size have been funneled by the star’s magnetic field, and concentrated around the magnetic poles, creating a phenomenon reminiscent or Earth’s auroras. I will explain what these observations tell us about exo-solar planets, and about the atmospheres of white dwarfs. I will also describe the telescopes that enabled this discovery, and provide insight, more in general, into the modern methods used for astronomical observations.

Biography: Stefano Bagnulo studied Physics at the University of Florence in Italy, and obtained his PhD at QUB, Belfast, in 1996. He has worked at the University of Vienna, and at the Paranal Observatory in Chile, where he was a member of the Science Operations Team of the ESO Very Large Telescope. He has joined Armagh Observatory in 2007.

Professor Alan Fitzsimmon, Astrophysics Research Centre, QUB “Exocomets”

 Abstract: Every year roughly 60 more comets are discovered orbiting our Sun. But for decades, astronomers have been discovering comet-like objects in other Solar systems. Slowly but surely astronomers have been uncovering their secrets. This talk will briefly review how astronomers discover and understand comets formed in other Solar systems, some light-years away and some a bit closer, and how much we understand about them at present.

Professor Peter Gallagher, Head of School of Cosmic Physics, DIAS: “The Solar Orbiter Mission”

(Further details to follow)

Professor Tom Ray, School of Cosmic Physics, DIAS: “Building the Extremely Large Telescope: Challenges and Hopes for the Future”

(Further details to follow)

After the Dinner in the Armagh City Hotel, there will be a presentation by members on the recent Total Solar Eclipse in North America, and some of the best recent aurora photos.

COST:

Full event, including lunch and morning and afternoon light refreshments, plus evening dinner, including wine: £65 adults, £30 children

Day events only as above, but excluding dinner: Adults £20, children £10.

PAYMENT: Must be received NO LATER than Wednesday 15th May!

By cheque, payable to Irish Astronomical Association, to IAA Secretary, Mary Kirwan-Mackey, 89 Old Gransha Rd, Bangor, Co Down, BT19 7HA. or

Paypal: Go to  www.irishastro.org and click the donate button