IYA2009 The Irish Node (Ireland North & South) Michael Redfern, Physics Department, NUI-Galway

IYA2009 The Irish Node (Ireland North & South) Michael Redfern, Physics Department, NUI-Galway Robert Hill, Space Discovery, Armagh NI

Bliain Idirnáisiúnta na Réalteolaíochta 2009 Oscail do Shúile d’Iontais na Cruinne

Ireland has about 200-250 professional astronomers • 2 (almost) mutually exclusive amateur astronomy federations • Huge exposure in the media • The oldest (working) solar observatory- Newgrange, Co. Meath • The oldest (almost working) “large” telescope – Birr, Co. Offally • One Planetarium and (almost) one Science Centre (public telescope) • Government Agency prepared to fund this activity (DES) • IYP had almost no impact – we must do better • Light pollution is not bad except in urban centres – some of the country is very good – but the weather is a bit of a problem in planning events • Committee will follow from this meeting

Student Research: A Key to Attracting Students into Science • Research is when we learn why we study the basics • It requires continued application • It provides an opportunity to provide “cool” role models

Faulkes Telescopes IYA 2009 • Irish Competition • Schools get access in the normal way, to perform guided research. • Graduate students, postdocs, staff – assigned as mentors to the schools in their areas, to perform a piece of research • They must involve school students at all stages of the research – • preparation, observation, analysis & (hopefully) publication.

Telescopes IYA 2009 Irish Competition All-Ireland Competition Students prepare a poster about their work and defend it Regional Finals National Final at Galway Science & technology Festival November 2009 Prize is a visit to the Faulkes North Telescope in Hawaii for the winning team

Thank You For Your Attention

IYA2009 The Irish Node (Ireland North & South) Michael Redfern, Physics Department, NUI-Galway