Annual COSMOS astronomy event set for Lough Boora Discovery Park
Final preparations are underway for one of the most eagerly awaited events for astronomy enthusiasts from across the midlands, the annual COSMOS one-day festival, which takes place on Saturday of next week, April 11.
One of the flagship events for the Midland Astronomy Club (MAC) and the Irish Astronomical Society, and now officially Ireland's longest-running star party, this year's event will be hosted in Teach Lea Community Centre on the edge of Lough Boora Discovery Park.
The programme consists of a day timetable of space and astronomy lectures by guests from around Ireland, exhibits and observing of the Sun, as well as an evening programme of buffet dinner, table quiz and telescope night. The dark skies at Boora, almost free from light pollution, allow for some of the best viewing conditions in the midlands to observe the Universe.
A full event ticket is €65, and in order to encourage people to purchase their tickets in advance from the website, www.midlandsastronomy.ie MAC is adding a free bonus of €5 in raffle tickets, with other price options available. Children under 13 go free (meals are extra) with event discount options for under 18s.
From humble beginnings in 1986, Midlands Astronomy Club is now celebrating 40 years in the community, with some of the founding members still part of the club today. Originally known as Tullamore Astronomy Club, it changed its name to the Midlands club in 2009 to reflect the gowning members' base from Laois, Westmeath, Longford and Tipperary. Public lecture nights continued at least twice per month in Tullamore, and occasionally in Athlone, with additional events such as telescope observing nights and collaborative events with other clubs, societies and community groups across the wider midlands region.
MAC continues with at least two public lecture nights per month on the first and third Thursdays in Tullamore Library with their Family Astronomy Night. These free events will often have a themed presentation by a guest or club member, with free astronomy handouts of what to look forward to during the month.
Membership costs €20 per year, and all full members can borrow from a number of telescopes owned by the club for extended periods of time and get advice on how to use them.
Outreach is also an important aspect of the club, according to PRO, Seanie Morris. “Members visit cubs and scouts, community residential associations, other libraries, schools and even collaborate with the County Councils, Midlands Science, Birr Castle & Science Centre, Blackrock Castle and the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.”
To find out more about this year's COSMOS, including the full list of guest speakers, visitors are encouraged to visit the MAC website or Facebook page, or they can make contact with the club's PRO, Seanie Morris, via admin@midlandsastronomy.ie or by phone on 087 6825910.