Countrywide Mars Watch Reports 4 November 2005

         Features visible on Mars on November 4     

Below are images taken in the Phoenix Park and uploaded to the website compliments of Vodafone 3G Technology

First Image soon after 8pm	2nd Image
3rd Image	4th Image
T
This image was taken the week beforehand just to give you an idea of what can be achieved when seeing conditions are good

Astronomy Ireland held Nationwide Mars Watches (venues around Ireland are listed below) on Friday November 4 at 8pm.  

The Phoenix Park event had virtual live images from telescopes uploaded onto website www.astronomy.ie for everyone in Ireland to see.  This innovation came compliments of Vodafone 3G Technology.  

Countrywide Reports

Dublin in association with Vodafone - Phoenix Park, car park at Papal Cross:

Andrew Langton and Gary Clarke in their "mobile" office	RTE's "The Den" with David Moore.

Several hundred people turned up in the Phoenix park to view Mars.  Twelve telescopes were set up some of them producing images for the website.  These images were uploaded almost immediately so that everyone in Ireland could see what was happening in the Phoenix Park.  There was also streaming of live images directly onto the website.  This proved extremely popular judging by the enormous amount of hits on the website.  Apologies to those of you who had difficulties accessing the website due to the heavy traffic.  RTE 2's "The Den" had a camera crew out to film the event.  It will go out as "10 things to do before you are 10 for under €10", so watch out for it.  

Carl O'Beirnes shows Mars	Young people from "The Den" show their certificates

The night proved a great sucess with so much activities happening all over the carpark.  There was a live image of Mars being projected onto a big screen.  Andrew Langton and Gary Clarke were imaging Mars and processing images to upload onto the website.  There was also a naked eye viewing session by Tony Ryan helped in no small way by a powerful laser pointer.  David Grennan provided commentary on the activities.

Boyle, Co Roscommon, Horseman Viewing Point:

Betty Meyler had a great crowd of some 25 people come to her Mars Watch in Boyle Co. Roscommon.  They travelled from all over some from as far away as Cavan.  Three others brought their own telescopes.  The night was relatively clear and everybody got a good view of Mars.

Co. Clare - Kilmihil
Angus Sealy reported:
"Although we didn't get to see Mars (or anything much other than the rain belt which
probably reached you in Dublin later that night), it was one of our more successful evenings; we had a few people, some of whom had come across from Co. Kerry on the Shannon Ferry. We also had the local press, the Clare Champion; there should be a report in this week's paper (which I
will forward to you). We talked about what we would have been looking at, had there been clear skies, and also discussed telescopes, solar filters etc. No magazines sold, as everyone there was actually an AI member already! But, interest in these "watches" is definitely growing,
so it should be worthwhile in the end!

Co. Mayo Castlebar 

Co. Donegal, Letterkenny 
Seamus Byron of the Donegal branch reports that 8 people came to his site outside Letterkenny.  They got to see Mars and M45.  It eventually clouded in.  Cloud cover made it impossible to continue however they stayed and chatted for some time.

Cork, Ballyphehane Community Centre:

Martin Lynch had over 20 people show up at Ballyphehane Community Centre.  The night was however very cloudy with rain threatening constantly.  The assembled crowd didn't get to see Mars unfortunately.

Carlow - IT College Carlow: 

Gerry Moloney had 95% cloud cover at the IT College in Carlow.  A number of people came out to view Mars but only got fleeting glimpses of the Red Planet.  Cloud cover reached 100% around 9:30 so they gave up at that stage. 

Dundalk -Blackrock 

Derek Watters reported that "Mars was visible up to 7.10pm but dissapeared thereafter. Unfortunately light rain and cloud moved in and even when Mars did show later, it was only for a few seconds and viewing was poor. As a result only 6 turned up".

Wexford, Rosslare Strand, Community Centre:

Oliver Gargan the Wexford Co-Ordinator said that "Unfortunately the weather impeded any possibility of seeing Mars on Friday night last here in Wexford.  As has been typical for the last number of
weeks, heavy rain showers and cloud meant we were unable to view Mars at
all.

Waterford, Waterpark National School. 
Liam Walshe reported "As usual the sunny south east didnt live up to its name! Mars was visible at aroung 6:30pm but as 7 approached the rain and clouds moved in. I had a few phone calls from people interested but at 8 and beyond there was no improvement in the conditions.....".  He is planning another night when he gets better conditions.

 

Date: 8:00 pm Friday November 4