Professor O’Sullivan received a rapturous applause after he amazed the audience of the Easter Lecture with his work in space. His career began with studies in cosmic radiation in the upper regions of the Earth’s atmosphere, however, when the opportunity arose to send experiments to the Moon, Professor O’Sullivan and his team jumped at the chance to get involved with Apollo 16. In fact, guests to the lecture got the chance to hold a particle detector that was on the base of the Lunar Lander when it landed on the Moon on 22 April 1972. "It was truly amazing to get to hold a piece of equipment that was carried by Apollo astronauts to the Moon and then handed back to an Irishman!" said David Moore, Chairman of Astronomy Ireland.

Professor O’Sullivan then talked about his work with the International Space Station and the Matroshka experiment, which is currently collecting data in Earth’s orbit. This experiment is gathering information about the effects of cosmic radiation on the human body as, Professor O’Sullivan explained, the decision to fly in space is not one to be taken lightly: exposure to cosmic radiation can cause tumours and damage to chromosomes.

Professor Denis O'Sullivan	Leo Francis holds the detector that was on the Moon
Sonya Farrell and Prof O'Sullivan	Guests enjoying the lecture
Detector that was placed on the lunar module of Apollo 16	Marketing Manager Linda Callaghan presents Prof O'Sullivan with a gift

The guests lingered in the theatre to talk to Professor O’Sullivan about his work and to see the sensor that was on the Moon. The Professor kindly donated his honorarium to the Irish Kidney Association for this talk.

There was great excitement in the run up to this lecture and there was a lot of media attention. Listen to Professor O'Sullivan on Newstalk and on Dublin City FM. The Chairman of Astronomy Ireland, David Moore, also did an interview on 4FM about the lecture.

Order your copy of this gripping and captivating lecture on DVD here or by calling (01) 847 0777 (alternatively post a cheque or postal order to: April 2009 DVD, Astronomy Ireland, PO. Box 2888, Dublin 5). DVDs of this and past lectures are just €7 each (add €5 for P&P for any number of DVDs).