Armagh Observatory              Cr: Ita Dardis	Group Photo              Cr: Ita Dardis

                                   Armagh Planetarium Trip

About 50 people travelled by bus on Saturday November 24 from Astronomy Ireland in Artane for a day trip to Armagh Planetarium and Observatory.   The trip duration itself has been shortened considerably by the new motorway.  

The Planetarium has been totally revamped in the last couple of years and now has a state of the art theatre and technology second to none.  Astronomy Ireland's group was broken up into 2 with the first tour of the Observatory at 1:30pm and the second at 4pm.  The two tours were hosted by Observatory director Professor Mark Bailey.  The Observatory was built a few years after Dunsink and is well preserved.  The telescopes have been lovinly restored to their former glory.  There is also a Human Orrery which proved very interesting and great fun.  

The highlight of the trip of course was the Planetarium.  With full surround sound and ultra-sharp visuals it is almost better than the real thing.  When the show starts you immediately become immersed in another world.  Everyone agreed that it was excellent.

In fact it was decided to make it an annual event.  So get ready for the next one!