Culture Night 2020: Astronomy in Birr Virtual Tour

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Explore the historic and modern astrophysics research happening in Birr, in the heart of the Irish Midlands! 

Join us for Culture Night 2020 on a virtual tour to discover the engineering and science behind the 19th century Leviathan telescope, before journeying nearly 200 years into the present day to the 21st century Irish Low Frequency Array (I-LOFAR) radio telescope. Learn about the astronomical discoveries made here at our observatory in Birr Castle Demesne and Ireland’s role in the future of radio astronomy.

The tour will be followed by a live question and answer session with I-LOFAR staff and researchers to answer any queries from attendees on the operation of and discoveries with I-LOFAR.

 

Suitable for all, registration required via Eventbrite.

 

This event will be hosted online via Zoom. The link to join will be sent to ticket holders by 15 minute before the start of the event. Should you have any questions please email education@lofar.ie

 

Presented by the Astronomical Midlands team at I-LOFAR, a Science Foundation Ireland Discover Project led by Trinity College Dublin, in collaboration with ESERO Ireland.

February Mid-Term Guided Tours – Astronomy in Birr

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This walking tour takes you through nearly 180 years of astronomy in Birr – from the 1840s to the present day – with the two world-renowned telescopes here in Birr Castle Demesne. Explore the history of science and engineering with the Great Leviathan Telescope, and look to the future of science and radio astronomy with I-LOFAR.

Meet at the Great Telescope in Birr at 12:30 this February Mid-Term on Wednesday 19, Thursday 20 and Friday 21 February 2020.

Suitable for all levels and ages, no background knowledge needed – just bring your curiosity!

Free guided tour for all visitors to Birr Castle Demesne, tour is included in General Admission ticket price. For more information check out our February Mid-Term Tours event on Facebook.

 

Supported by Science Foundation Ireland and ESERO Ireland.

A Journey Through the Last 100 Years of Astronomy, Coming to Birr in August 2019!

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The International Astronomical Union’s 100th Anniversary Exhibition (IAU100) is coming to Birr! I-LOFAR is delighted to be hosting this unique exhibition celebrating the last 100 years of astronomy around the world. It will be launched on Thursday 8th of August and will then be on display from Friday 9th to Friday 16th of August.

For our launch we are very please to say that we will be joined by Professor Tom Ray from the Dublin Institute of Advanced studies (DIAS), one of our I-LOFAR Consortium members. Prof Ray is one of Ireland’s leading astronomers and the Irish representative on the ESO (European Southern Observatory) council. Prof Ray will be speaking at John’s Hall at 18:00 on Thursday 8th August and all are welcome to attend. 

This exhibition is a journey through some of the most significant and surprising breakthroughs that shaped astronomy, technology and culture over the last century. It is underpinned by three universal questions which are just as relevant today as they were a hundred years ago; 

What is the size and structure of the Universe? 

How do stars form and shine? 

Is there life elsewhere in the universe?

The exhibition has been travelling around the world for the past year, premiering in Vienna at the IAU General Assembly in August 2018, and is now here in Ireland for the next few months. It started in Armagh, until the 31st of July, next stop is Birr, and then it will move on to Dublin, Cork and Galway. 

The IAU100 Exhibition will be displayed in John’s Hall and the I-LOFAR Education Centre here in Birr. Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival will also be taking place from the 2nd to the 10th of August, so be sure to check it all out!

I-LOFAR is hosting the IAU100 exhibition with support from Science Foundation Ireland and Offaly County Council.

Summer Astronomy Tours in Birr

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As part our AstroLands programme we are offering FREE guided tours throughout the summer for all visitors to Birr Castle Gardens and Science Centre.

For the month of June these walking tours will run Tuesday to Saturday at 13:30 from the Leviathan to I-LOFAR, with daily tours from Monday to Saturday throughout July and August. Suitable for all ages and interest levels, the tour will cover the rich history of science, engineering and astronomy in Birr to the present day research happening here in the Midlands with I-LOFAR.

All welcome!

 

***UPDATE***

Due to popular demand, we will be running two tours each Saturday throughout July and August, at 12:00 and 15:00.

See you there!

Any queries please contact info@lofar.ie