july 2011 - Astronomical Society of Southern Africa

More documents

Recommendations

Info

canopus july 2011 Yesterday at Elfordstown Earthstation, Midleton, Co Cork, Minister of State for Research and Innovation Seán Sherlock announced a partnership between the National Space Centre and Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) which will see the dish start a new life as a telescope. The telescope will be capable of detecting a host of cosmic phenomena including the emission of giant, slow moving hydrogen clouds, the violent explosions of stars, eruptions of the solar surface and storms on Jupiter. It will be the only 32m radio telescope available to primary students for educational purposes in Europe. Phase one of the project will see the telescope operational by the end of this summer, with feeds available in September via the internet to primary and post primary schools. Phase two will occur in 2012 and will involve the refurbishment of the dish to enable it to turn as it originally did and the installation of sensors and new receivers. The project will be co-ordinated and operated by CIT under Dr Niall Smith, head of research, and Blackrock Castle Observatory. Dr Smith said this project will see a €10 million radio telescope brought back to life for less than €10,000 thanks to the partnership between the National Space Centre and CIT. “It’s a great example of using world-class infrastructure in the most cost-effective way to reach out into the community and to embed our growing scientific heritage alongside our world-renowned culture. “It will excite students in schools who will get to listen in on the radio signals from outer space. “It will be a test bed for engineering and science projects from primary through to PhD.” The project will benefit education and skills training, and research and development and provide incomparable hands-on training and research opportunities for students from primary through to PhD level. Mr Sherlock said the National Space Centre is already active in European Space Agency (ESA) programmes including the Galileo Satellite Navigation Programmes. “Ireland’s ESA membership has contributed to the development of a highly knowledge-intensive industry sector with over 60 Irish technology companies having secured ESA contracts worth over € 60 million since 2000. “We expect this number to grow significantly in 2011,” the Minister added. page 12
canopus july 2011 page 13
Page 1 and 2: july 2011 monthly newsletter of the
Page 3 and 4: Notice of Next Meeting - ASSA Johan
Page 5 and 6: canopus july 2011 eclipse recorded
Page 7 and 8: canopus july 2011 Saturday, 2 July
Page 9 and 10: canopus july 2011 by hand; or by po
Page 11: canopus july 2011 Name Object RA: D
Page 15 and 16: Alec Jamieson and Melvyn Hannibal d
Page 17 and 18: canopus july 2011 not occurring on
Page 19 and 20: canopus july 2011 “The Voyager pr
Page 21 and 22: Sharon’s APOM Sharon Tait shares
Page 23 and 24: canopus july 2011 page 23

july 2011 - Astronomical Society of Southern Africa

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?