The 2007 Organising Committee l-r: Bob Campbell, Denise Murphy, Seanie Morris, Deirdre Campbell, Michael O'Connell, Máire McKay, Roger Matthews, Denise Matthews

Ireland's only Spring Star Party, COSMOS, takes place on the weekend of March 27th to 29th. The long-held tradition with the intimate surroundings at Annaharvey Equestrian Farm is once again in full force, as Tullamore Astronomical Society brings its national event to you for the 16th time.

This annual event traditionally consists of a series of lectures by renowned speakers in different aspects of Astronomy over two and a half days. So far, our speakers list includes:

 

• Mr. Bob Campbell, Midlands Astronomy Club
   "Then & Now: A Brief History of TAS"

• Ms. Amanda Ryan
   "Gravitational Lensing, Microlensing and Planet Detection"

• Mr. Robert Hill, Northern Ireland Space Office at Armagh Planetarium
   "Using the latest 3D Technology in Astronomy and Science Education"

• Mr. Kieran Rooney, Northern Ireland Amateur Astronomy Society
   "The Dark Art of CCD Imaging"

• Prof. Denis O'Sullivan, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies
  "The Apollo Missions and Ireland's First Space Experiments - and What Happened After"

• Mr. Michael O'Connell, Midlands Astronomy Club
   "Meteors and Meteorites"

• Guy Consolmagno, Vatican Observatory
   "Are Asteroids Fluffy?"

 

The talks are interspersed with tea breaks and lunches, and throughout the weekend you can avail of:

• Displays & Exhibits from individuals and clubs	• Spot prize raffle & Bob's Astro Quiz
• Guided Astro Trek on the farm	• Cosmic Dinner (Saturday Night only, limited places)
• Astrohophotography	• Observing Sessions
• Astro Buy & Sell	• Good fun and relaxation

 

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
Click Here to see the timetable of events.

 

	Getting in some Solar Observing at Cosmos 2003, l-r: Jouke de Ruiter, Dave Lillis, Michael O'Connell (peeping), and Wally Mee

ADMISSION RATES

COSMOS 2009 is NOT a ticket-only event, so do not worry about booking a place. The admission rates are:

€45 Weekend // €35 Concession
€25 Day (Saturday or Sunday only) // €20 Concession
€5 Spot Lecture or Friday night only

NOTES
Concessions include Senior Citizens (retired) and Students with a valid I.D. Children 12 years old and under are gladly welcomed free but MUST be accompanied with an adult.

All admissions include complimentary tea/coffee breaks, but exclude lunches and dinner. The Cosmic Dinner is on Saturday night, and as always is booked on a first come, first served basis during admissions, so get here early!

 

HOW TO GET HERE

All roads lead to Tullamore:

M6/M4 East	Dublin-Maynooth-Kinnegad-Kilbeggan-Tullamore MOTORWAY
N6/M6 West	Galway-Loughrea-Ballinasloe-Athlone-TullamorE MOTORWAY FROM ATHLONE
N52 South	Nenagh-Birr-Tullamore
N52 North	Dundalk-Kells-Mullingar-Tullamore
N54/55 North	Monoghan-Cavan (N55)-Granard-Mullingar-Tullamore
N4 West	Sligo-Boyle-Longford-Mullingar-Tullamore
N7 West	Limerick-Nenagh (Join N52 South)
N8/M8 South	Cork-Mitchelstown-Cashel-Abbeyleix-Portlaoise (Join N80)
N80 South	Wexford-Carlow-Portlaoise-Tullamore

From Northern Ireland:

A26	Colerain-Ballymena-Belfast (M1)
M1/A1	Belfast-Newry-Dundalk (Join N52 North or M1 to M50 to M6/M4 East)
A25	Derry-Strabane-Omagh-Monoghan (N54/55 North)

 

Directions:

From Tullamore, take the R420 to Portarlington. Approx 2.5 miles out, pass through minor crossroads (Meelaghans). Continue for another mile, and on the left will be Annaharvey Equestrian Farm. Signs will be erected on the soft shoulder from both directions approaching Annaharvey Farm. Give plenty of notice to the driver(s) behind you that you will be turning!

 

ACCOMMODATION

It is highly recommended that you book your accommodation if travelling from afar as soon as possible. There are many B&B's in the town and surrounding areas (accommodation list). Please Note: accommodation in Annaharvey itself is fully booked out!

 

ANNAHARVEY FARM

Click to find out more information about Annaharvey Farm (www.annaharveyfarm.ie)