The IAA will be running a major public astronomy & space outreach event in conjunction with the Ulster Museum on Saturday 11th October.

This will be at the Museum on Stranmillis Road, from 11:00 to 16:30.

This will comprise:
Starshows with a space theme in the ever-popular Stardome (courtesy of Armagh Planetarium) at 45 minute intervals starting at 11.00.

Solar observing from the Museum forecourt, weather permitting. We will have various special safe solar telescopes to show incredible views of our nearest star, which still poses many puzzles for astronomers.

If it's cloudy, we'll have the telescopes indoors as part of our major exhibition.

Exhibition: all things astronomical and space will be on display, including meteorites which are actual rocks from space, and various items of space memorabilia

Meet our own 'Ulsternaut', Derek Heatly from Groomsport, who will be the first person from N. Ireland, if not all Ireland, to fly into space with Virgin Galactic.

Ask a question about astronomy or space – our Experts will be there to try to answer them.

Prof Kurtz is a very highly regarded speaker on a wide variety of topics, and this one for World Space Week will focus on one of the most successful space missions ever: the Kepler Spacecraft. This has now detected well over 1,000 planets going round other stars, some of which are like planets in our own solar system, including a few which are fairly like Earth, and some which are amazingly different from our own familiar ones.

The spacecraft's detectors are so sensitive that they can even detect 'starquakes' on distant stars. Come along and be amazed at the fantastic findings from this space mission.

The lecture is free and open to all, including free refreshments. Venue: the Bell Lecture Theatre, Physics Building, Queen's University, Belfast, at 7.30 p.m.
 
Thanks to the Astrophysics Research Centre, QUB, for help in hosting these lectures.