IYA2009
The Irish Node
(Ireland North & South)
Michael Redfern, Physics Department, NUI-Galway
Robert Hill, Space Discovery, Armagh NI
Bliain Idirnáisiúnta na Réalteolaíochta 2009
Oscail do Shúile d’Iontais na Cruinne
• Ireland has about 200-250 professional astronomers
• 2 (almost) mutually exclusive amateur astronomy federations
• Huge exposure in the media
• The oldest (working) solar observatory- Newgrange, Co. Meath
• The oldest (almost working) “large” telescope – Birr, Co. Offally
• One Planetarium and (almost) one Science Centre (public telescope)
• Government Agency prepared to fund this activity (DES)
• IYP had almost no impact – we must do better
• Light pollution is not bad except in urban centres – some of the
country is very good – but the weather is a bit of a problem in
planning events
• Committee will follow from this meeting
Student Research: A Key to Attracting
Students into Science
•
Research is when we learn why we study the basics
•
It requires continued application
•
It provides an opportunity to provide “cool” role models
Faulkes Telescopes IYA 2009
Irish Competition
•
Schools get access in the normal way, to perform guided research.
•
Graduate students, postdocs, staff – assigned as mentors to the
schools in their areas, to perform a piece of research
• They must involve school students at all stages of the research –
preparation, observation, analysis & (hopefully) publication.
Telescopes IYA 2009
Irish Competition
All-Ireland Competition
Students prepare a poster about their work and defend it
Regional Finals
National Final at Galway Science & technology Festival
November 2009
Prize is a visit to the Faulkes North Telescope in Hawaii for the
winning team
Thank You For Your Attention