David Moore Shows Comet Machholz to the crowd at the Phoenix Park (Credit Tom Finnegan)

As you will all remember I'm sure on January 7 there was a storm which affected all of Ireland and so the Comet was not visible in any part of the country.

January 13 proved much better all in all with some success in various parts of the country.

Reports from around the country:

Clare: Angus Sealy in Kilmihil had total cloud cover on Thursday 13 and as a result no one showed up.

Cork: Martin Lynch - Astronomy Ireland's Cork co-ordinator had organised a watch in Carrigaline Business Park at Gary Keefe's EVTC building.  About 15 people showed up but were dissapointed due to total cloud cover.

Donegal: Seamus Byron in Letterkenny organised a watch a few miles outside the town at Kilpeak Graveyard car-park.  The night was cloudy - however there were lots of breaks.  11 people showed up and enjoyed looking at the comet, M42 and Saturn.

Dundalk: Derek Watters arranged to meet those interested at the Millenium Statue in Blackrock.  There were some breaks in the cloud where he did get to show the comet and the rings of Saturn to the half dozen or so gathered.

Dublin: Several hundred people came out to a pretty cloud free Phoenix Park and had a great view of the Comet as well as Saturn, the Andromeda Galaxy and lots of other heavenly bodies.  All went away happy.

             
              Comet Machholz on December 13 (photo: www.astrostudio.at)

Roscommon: Betty Meyler had a small few people turn up at the Horseman Viewing Point outside Boyle.  It was most clear and she was rewarded with an excellent view of the comet.  She reported seeing the long green tail quite clearly.

Tipperary: Ray Parle organised his Comet Watch at the Mountain Road Viewing Point aprox. 5 miles from Clonmel.  About 20 people showed up.  The night was windy but relatively clear and all got to have a look at the comet, Orion Nebula and Saturn.  Ray also pointed out the winter constellations to the crowd.

Waterford: Liam Walsh had arranged to have a watch at Ballygunner School in Waterford but unfortunately heavy cloud set in from early on with no breaks in the cloud.  He has taken some names and phone numbers and plans a re-run of the event.

Wexford: Oliver Gargan organised a watch at the community centre on Rosslare Strand.  He reported that the site was relatively dark.  About 10-12 people showed up to view the Comet.  They also looked at the Orion Nebula and Saturn.  The skies remained relatively cloud free throughout.