The most expensive rocks in the world!

View photos taken by Eamonn O'Fearchain HERE. Over 150 people and an RTE News crew packed out the Fitzgerald Building on August 10th, amidst the buzz surrounding the amazing meteorite from Mars. Dr Matthew Parkes from the National Museum of Ireland began his talk with an overview of meteorite falls around the world, and passed around pieces of space rock among the guests. People were taken aback by the weight of the metallic fragments, some noting that it seemed much heavier than iron found on Earth. One such fragment - part of the meteorite that created the famous Meteor Crater in Arizona - had a beautiful shining cross section that was a source of wonder for everyone that saw it. Dr Parkes summarised the meteorite finds and falls in Ireland, including one that smashed through the roof of an RUC barracks in Northern Ireland in 1969, and one that fell in Carlow in 1999 that Astronomy Ireland helped to find. Following this, Dr Parkes explained how rocks from other planets make their way across space to Earth: they are the result of an asteroid or comet ramming into the surface of Mars, blowing rock fragments into space and in the direction of our own planet. A very enthralled crowd of people stayed around afterwards to get another closer look at the meteorites and rocks from Mars, the Moon, and beyond. A social gathering took place in The Lombard where everyone continued their in-depth conversations about space rocks over some hot food and a few drinks. 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: August 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).