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Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Science
- Irish Independent
Peak of meteor showers has passed, but still a chance to see shooting stars and here's how
Every August, Earth makes contact with debris from comets passing near the sun. As the fragments enter the atmosphere, they burn brightly, creating an array of colourful streaks in the night sky. Editor of Astronomy Ireland magazine David Moore told the Irish Independent pictures of the meteor shower's peak have been flying in, and the Perseids will still be visible in Irish skies for a few more nights. "The peak was expected to be last night, and on the peak night you see 20 times more shooting stars than normal. On the night after and the night before, it's about half that rate. "That's still 10 times more meteors than on a normal night, so it's still well worth watching. Tomorrow night, it will be half that again, so a quarter of the peak, but still five times more meteors than normal. "I'll certainly be watching again tonight, tomorrow, and probably the night after.' To get the best viewing experience, stargazers should wait until the sky is fully dark, face away from the moon to avoid glare and make sure there are no obstructions along the horizon. Mr Moore said a phenomenon known as a 'double planet' is also visible in Irish skies at the moment, with Venus and Jupiter lined up together and appearing bright in the sky. "Jupiter is actually five times further than Venus, so they're not really passing close to one another. This morning, you had Venus blazing 100 times brighter than the brightest star in the sky and Jupiter sitting just above it, a little bit dimmer, but still dozens of times brighter than the brightest star." Having used computers to look ahead to 2050, Mr Moore said there will not be another time when Jupiter and Venus will line up this closely and be visible over Ireland, making this a 'once in a century or once in a lifetime event'. "It really is spectacular to the naked eye. We've had some pictures sent in that were just taken with a phone camera, so there's no special equipment needed. "I've never seen anything like it in my lifetime and I've been watching the sky for decades.' The double planet will continue to be visible for the next few mornings and Mr Moore said the best time to look at them will be in the early hours of the morning. "About 4am is the best time every morning during the coming week. Next Wednesday, they'll still be close and the moon will join the scene. The only things brighter than Venus and Jupiter are the sun and the moon. That's going to be a very special morning to watch.' Big events in the world of astronomy are coming like buses according to Mr Moore, with another chance to see something special coming on Sunday, September 7. "On September the 7th, there's going to be a total eclipse of the moon visible from Ireland, so when the moon rises that evening there will be a blood moon.'
The Journal
12-08-2025
- Climate
- The Journal
Meteor shower and rare 'double planet' to light up Irish skies tonight - here's how to spot them
IRELAND'S NIGHT SKIES will light up this evening as the annual Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak, offering one of the most dazzling natural spectacles of the year. Stargazers can expect dozens of bright meteors streaking overhead every hour, even with a full Moon in the mix. Conditions should be largely favourable for viewing, according to Met Éireann, with clear spells in many areas overnight and just the odd shower. Some cloud will build in the south towards dawn, with patchy drizzle, mist and fog possible, but temperatures will stay mild at 13 to 16 degrees with light breezes. David Moore, editor of Astronomy Ireland magazine, said the Perseids are always a highlight of the astronomical calendar – even with this year's bright Moon reducing the visibility of the faintest streaks. 'The most spectacular brighter ones will still be well seen, so we are urging people to get the whole family out and watch this 'celestial fireworks' display provided by Mother Nature!' Moore said. He explained to The Journal that the Perseid meteor shower comes from leftover comet particles and fragments of broken asteroids. As comets pass near the Sun, they leave a dusty trail behind them. Every August, Earth ploughs through this debris, sending tiny bits of material burning up in our atmosphere and creating fiery, colourful streaks across the night sky. Perseid meteors can appear anywhere overhead, though their trails point back towards the constellation Perseus, visible in the northeast from Ireland each evening. For the best experience, Moore advises waiting until the sky is fully dark, finding an unobstructed horizon, and keeping the Moon behind you to avoid glare. 'In the middle of the cities, it's always bright. In the countryside, the moonlight will only drown out the faintest meteors — you should still see most of them,' Moore said. 'The meteors can appear anywhere in the sky, so if there's cloud, just look in the clear patches. A reclining chair or a sun bed is fantastic – you can fill your whole vision with the sky and enjoy the show!' Advertisement Even with the strong moonlight, Moore expects people to see around 20 meteors per hour. Some Perseids leave long-lasting glow trails, while others flare brightly before vanishing in a split second. 'It's a spectacular natural event that connects you directly to space,' Moore said. He is also asking members of the public to count the meteors they spot in 15-minute intervals and send results to for publication in the magazine. 'Spectacular' planet spotting For those willing to stay up late, or set an early alarm, there's an added astronomical treat this week: a rare pairing of Venus and Jupiter in the pre-dawn sky. At around 4am on Wednesday morning, the two brightest planets will appear strikingly close together above the horizon. Moore said it's an unprecedented sight in his career. 'Venus is 100 times brighter than the brightest star in the sky, so it's extremely impressive,' Moore said. 'Jupiter is nearly as bright and will be extremely close, just above Venus. It's spectacular viewing!' Although it's only a chance alignment (Venus is actually five times closer to Earth than Jupiter) the effect is a dazzling visual pairing visible to the naked eye. 'It's rare enough to be able to spot two planets that close without help from a telescope or binoculars, so it's a natural eye spectacle worth looking out for,' Moore said. 'The great thing about them being so bright is that they're also visible to phone cameras, so it's easy to get pictures. 'Pictures help us observe how our view changes due to material in space, as well as how close they are, so there's real scientific value in those pictures.' The Venus–Jupiter pairing will remain visible for several mornings after the peak, giving observers a few chances to catch it if clouds intervene. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
BreakingNews.ie
12-08-2025
- Science
- BreakingNews.ie
'Best meteor shower of the summer' set for Tuesday night, Astronomy Ireland says
Astronomy Ireland is alerting everyone in Ireland to the peak activity of the best meteor shower of the summer, 'The Perseids'. Editor of Astronomy Ireland magazine, David Moore, said spectators can expect to see "20 times more shooting stars tonight than a normal night". Advertisement "There will be a bright Moon in the sky and this will drown out some of the faint meteors, but the most spectacular brighter ones will still be well seen so we are urging people to get the whole family out and watch this 'celestial fireworks' display provided by Mother Nature." Perseid meteors can appear anywhere in the sky but their paths point back to the constellation (star-pattern) Perseus, which is in the north-east as seen from Ireland each evening. Spectators will need to wait until the sky is quite dark, and are urged to try and view as late as they can. Some Perseid meteors can be extremely bright and leave glow trails behind them. 20 Perseids per hour should be visible even with the strong moonlight. Advertisement "It is best to stand with your back to the Moon and look half way up the sky" Moore said. Rare double planet In an unprecedented event, Moore said the planets Venus and Jupiter will be extremely close for those who stay up until 3am Wednesday morning. Set your alarm for 4am for the best view. "Venus is 100 times bright than the brightest star in the sky so it is extremely spectacular to the naked eye" Moore said. "Furthermore, Jupiter is nearly as bright as Venus and will be extremely close as seen with the naked eye, just above Venus - I have never seen anything this spectacular involving bright planets in all my life. "We really want everyone in Ireland to get up at 4am and see this extremely rare chance alignment - they will probably never seen anything like it again in their lifetime. This apparent 'close approach' is just a chance alignment, Venus is actually five times closer to Earth than Jupiter is on Wednesday morning and they will be fairly close for several mornings after that if clouds spoil the view on Wednesday morning.
Irish Times
02-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Astronomy Ireland founder and solicitor walk out of WRC hearing
Astronomy Ireland founder David Moore has abandoned a tribunal hearing into claims of workplace rights breaches by a former manager at organisation who has accused him of 'pocketing' money meant for it. A Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) adjudicator told Mr Moore his approach to the case – which has been repeatedly adjourned since last June – had the appearance of 'delay, delay, delay' so the matter would 'never be heard'. Mr Moore and a solicitor acting for Astronomy Ireland stood up and walked out of a hearing room on Friday when the adjudicator said he intended to press on with hearings despite renewed objections from the respondents. The claimant, Sonya Martin, worked at Astronomy Ireland's office in Ballycoolin, Dublin 15, from 2021 to July 2023, when she quit her job as manager. She says she was forced to resign as a result of workplace stress and concerns she had about financial arrangements at Astronomy Ireland which she said she raised with Mr Moore in 2023. READ MORE She has made complaints under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, and the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994 against the science organisation. Mr Moore was told he and three other members of Astronomy Ireland's management committee were being attached personally to the case in January of this year. Ms Martin gave evidence last year that she felt she had no choice but to resign in the wake of a 'heated' meeting when Mr Moore told her the organisation had no board – something she believed made her 'party to a fraud on the State', as she had applied for grants on the basis that it did. She said she was already suffering from workplace stress following months of pressure while she worked two jobs in the wake of the sacking of a junior employee who was alleged to have stolen cash and left 'faecal matter' and 'ejaculate' behind in a bathroom at Astronomy Ireland's offices. After pressure from Astronomy Ireland's management committee about the amount of money in the society's bank accounts, a junior administrator raised concerns that Mr Moore was in the practice of 'pocketing' speaking fees which were meant to be the society's main revenue stream, Ms Martin said. Mr Moore, who is well known for his press and media appearances on space exploration and astronomy, claimed last year that the society had been 'libelled' before the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), branding accusations of money going astray and financial irregularities as 'false'. [ Founder of Astronomy Ireland accused of 'pocketing' money intended for organisation, WRC hears Opens in new window ] Solicitor Eugene Smartt, appearing for Astronomy Ireland at Friday's hearing, said he had a 'major difficulty' with the case proceeding, arguing the original complaint was against 'an unincorporated association which has no legal status or existence' and that Ms Martin was too late to make complaints against Mr Moore and the committee members. Daniel O'Connell of Keans Solicitors, for Ms Martin, said that adjudicator Jim Dolan had decided the point already. 'I don't think my client should be punished for the fact that Astronomy Ireland haven't got their house in order,' he added. Mr Moore and Mr Smartt questioned whether the WRC had correctly served all five parties with notice of the proceedings, as well as the decision to join the other committee members. 'It is my intention to hear this case today,' Mr Dolan said. He said the WRC had written to the parties by email and sent letters to a post office box in Artane, Dublin 5, which had been given by Mr Moore in January as Astronomy Ireland's correct address. Mr Smartt reiterated his position that any decision against Astronomy Ireland would be against 'an entity that has no legal existence' and said: 'The best we can do is withdraw.' After further exchanges, Mr Dolan said: 'Mr Moore is sitting there telling us he doesn't recognise he's the respondent in this. He signed the sign-in sheet 20 minutes ago: 'David Moore, position: respondent.'' 'I'm the respondent for Astronomy Ireland, it's not for me personally. I told you in January I don't accept being personally attached,' Mr Moore said, adding: 'It's very complicated. l'm lost, I'd appreciate an adjournment to take legal advice.' 'I'm not adjourning. I don't want you to think that the object here is delay, delay, delay, and this case will never be heard,' Mr Dolan said. 'That's not the case,' Mr Moore said. 'Can you appreciate that's the way you're coming across,' Mr Dolan said. 'I accept that,' Mr Moore said. 'You want to leave,' Mr Dolan said. 'Yes, absolutely,' Mr Smartt said. He and Mr Moore then stood up and walked out of the hearing room with their things as Mr Dolan said they would have his decision in six to eight weeks.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
'Blood moon' eclipse on Friday - but views to be limited
A total lunar eclipse will be visible on Friday morning as the full moon passes into Earth's shadow. However, sky watchers in Northern Ireland will need to be up early to catch it - and even then, the full "Blood Moon" will remain just out of reach. The eclipse begins when the first bite is taken out of the Moon's left edge at 05:07 GMT. Over the next 76 minutes, the shadow will gradually grow until totality begins at 06:26 GMT. But there's a catch - as the Moon enters total eclipse, it will be setting in the west while the Sun rises in the east. This will wash out the deep red hue typically seen during a total lunar eclipse. "The first hour or so, when the first chunk is taken out of the moon, will be the best part," according to David Moore, from Astronomy Ireland. "After that, the sky starts to get brighter as the eclipse gets bigger," he said. "By the time the moon is totally eclipsed, it will be practically daylight, so we won't see the blood moon that they will get in America. "So, the total bit is spoiled from Ireland, but that doesn't mean it is not worth getting up early in the morning for." Those further west will have the best chance to see more of the event, as the Moon will be slightly higher above the horizon, and the Sun's influence will be less strong. Those around Strangford Lough in County Down will see the Moon set earliest at 06:46 GMT, just 20 minutes after totality begins. Counties Mayo and Kerry, on the west coast, will have the longest viewing opportunity, with the Moon setting at 07:05 GMT - giving an extra 19 minutes to see the eclipse. This will be the eclipse's timeline: 03:57 GMT – Faint penumbral stage begins (hard to detect) 05:09 GMT – Partial eclipse starts; left edge of the Moon begins to darken 06:26 GMT – Totality begins; Moon will appear reddish but will be very low in the west 06:41–07:05 GMT – Moon sets, depending on location "Blood moon" describes the way the Moon looks during a total lunar eclipse. This happens when the Moon is completely covered by Earth's shadow, because the Earth has moved between the Moon and the Sun - blocking the Sun's light from reaching the Moon. When this happens the Moon looks a red colour - hence the name "blood moon". What is a blood moon? The eclipse will be easily visible to the naked eye, but viewing equipment will give you a better view. The current forecast is for cloudy conditions, but, according to Astronomy Ireland, it is worth checking the sky every five to 10 minutes for some clearance. The next total lunar eclipse for Ireland will occur on New Year's Eve in 2028. Later this month, budding astronomers will have a second astronomical treat during a partial solar eclipse on 29 March. Up to 57% of the sun will be covered by the moon during the event, which runs from 09:59 GMT until noon. The maximum eclipse will occur around 10:59 GMT, with times varying by up to five minutes across the island.
