by Seán Lawless
03/03/2010
The group went to Dunsink Observatory, on Wed. March 3rd. This was our first evening event and was so dependant on the weather( for obvious reasons) but luck turned out mostly on our side.
We always knew that this event would be well attended as most C-A-R members are known to be starry-eyed and mystified by our Galaxy.
Upon arrival we were introduced to our Solar System by Val Dunne who described the position and size of planet Earth in relation to all that goes on out there, so if you consider the Sun to be the size of a football, Earth would be the size of a garden pea!!! Planets Saturn, Mars, Pluto are giant in size compared to our little place.
We next got a short talk on the Evolution of Radio Astronomy by Anna Scaife- taking us through the years of Marconi, Jansky and Ryle, from wires been suspended from poles to what we accept today as the Radio X-ray disc.
We were brought out doors to a starry night much to the delight of our group and led to the building housing the Dome and Planetarium, after a brief description of the "telescope"and its age the dome was opened and rotated ( mechanically) around to focus and view "The Orion Nebula Cluster".
The Orion Nebula Cluster is a rich cluster of young stars which can be observed almost continuously in the southern solar system and is estimated to be about 1,500 light years away and has lots of activity about it.
We all had an opportunity to view this cluster some had a better view than others as the enemy (clouds) rolled into play, but I have no doubt the entire experience is one to be remembered.
What social gathering would finish without a cup of tea/coffee and biscuits and for this we have to express our sincere thanks to Hilary OíDonnell who also assisted in the organising of the visit to Dunsink Observatory .
S.L.