Great line up guys.
looking forward to it.

MAC is looking into alternative accommodation options for those who wish to stay in Athlone, we might be able to come up with an offer price seeing as the Shamrock Lodge Hotel is fully booked.

Please do give us alternative accommodation options, Seanie. I don't think I could sleep in the car!!

Aubrey.

I got an excellent deal here....

www.booking.com/hotel/ie/shannonside-house.html

Not even 3 mins walk away I reckon

Thanks for the heads up Paul, it's a really great deal, just booked my room, happy days

Good lineup, Is there a plan for observing ?

The COSMOS 2015 line-up so far inludes:















More details from our website: www.midlandsastronomy.com

MAC is getting excited! We hope you're looking forward to it and hope to see you at the 4 Star Shamrock Lodge Hotel in Athlone.

Seanie.

Dave_Lillis wrote:

Good lineup, Is there a plan for observing ?

There is Dave, we have 2 sites available to us. If weather permits, we have both Friday and Saturday nights for it. Plus, plenty of solar observing during the 3 days.

flt158 wrote:

Please do give us alternative accommodation options, Seanie. I don't think I could sleep in the car!!
Aubrey.

Paul wrote:

I got an excellent deal here....
www.booking.com/hotel/ie/shannonside-house.html
Not even 3 mins walk away I reckon

There are a few more places to stay, found here:
www.tullamoreastronomy.com/pages/accommodation-athlone.php

Seanie.

Can I ask why 2 sites Seanie?
In one near and the other far?
I'm assuming the darker one is further away or something to that effect..

So looking forward to Cosmos 2015 this year as its a fantastic line up and to start it all off MAC will be hosting a free Solar eclipse event in Athlone Castle March 20th starting at 8am.
MAC members will be on site with solar telescopes

and solar glasses for the public to view the eclipse safely and if our Irish weather dosent play ball we will be giving a free lecture on the morning in the Athlone Art gallery.
This is a free event so all welcome to attend......see you there

The online purchase of tickets is proving popular. You can book yours in advance by clicking into the COSMOS 2015 page on the MAC website .

The main reason is so that MAC can gauge IF the Birr Castle/Leviathan of Parsonstown trip on Sunday will get enough numbers.

Any questions, contact a MAC committee member.

Seanie.

MAC'S own chairman with his daughter Amy after making the front page of the newspapers this week for Midlands Astronomy Club up coming solar event in Athlone Castle Friday 20th for the partial solar eclipse and the up coming Cosmos 2015 in the shamrock lodge hotel Athlone.
Full steam ahead for Cosmos as its really gaining momentum in the media and we even have Irish tv coming on board for both events.

Hi guys for those that are still looking for accommodation for Cosmos 2015 as the Hotel is completely booked out there is still rooms available at this B&B and its right beside the Shamrock lodge.

High tree B&B Athlone (090) 6492517

I have just been informed that COSMOS 2015 made a healthy appearance in April's Astronomy Now magazine! Can't wait to get me copy now.

Nice one Seanie, it's great to get some recognition !

Keith.

Just a reminder that you can buy your ticket in advance of COSMOS 2015 on the MAC website, www.midlandsastronomy.com

Seanie.

Seanie_Morris wrote:

Just a reminder that you can buy your ticket in advance of COSMOS 2015 on the MAC website, www.midlandsastronomy.com

By the way, the reason MAC is offering this, is to gauge whether we will have adequate numbers for the Birr Castle trip on Sunday morning of COSMOS. While we know we have a coach already covered by the attendees who have purchased tickets already, MAC would also like to hear if you intend on attending on Sunday morning, but wish not to buy a ticket online in advance of COSMOS (which is fine). This is to ensure availability of a second coach for Sunday morning with the bus company (we're a considerate group, after all!).

You can reply here your intent to come with us to Birr Castle, or send a PM/email.

Thanks,

Seanie.

Its probably not been covered in this thread yet, so Ill throw it in now

Ktec Telescopes are the main sponsor of Cosmos 2015, and we will be bringing a ton of goodies, including an expanded meteorite collection, and some interesting scopes and accessories.

Should anyone wish to collect any purchases at Cosmos, just contact us via the usual, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , and we'll look after you,

Stephen.

Aaron Delaney, an Artist based in Offaly.
Aaron will be displaying and selling his amazing Space Art and giving a live demonstration.
m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1529052727316086

Confirmation that Aaron will still be in attendance at COSMOS this weekend. His work has traveled far and wide and is sought after by some.

Seanie.

StephenK wrote:

Its probably not been covered in this thread yet, so Ill throw it in now

Ktec Telescopes are the main sponsor of Cosmos 2015, and we will be bringing a ton of goodies, including an expanded meteorite collection, and some interesting scopes and accessories.

Should anyone wish to collect any purchases at Cosmos, just contact us via the usual, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , and we'll look after you,

Stephen.

We know of a few people attending who are really looking forward to seeing your meteorite collection, Stephen (hopefully to buy some too!).

Hi all,

I just cancelled the single-room booking I made for Saturday night in the Shannonside House B&B if anyone is still looking for accommodation in Athlone during Cosmos 2015. It should be possible grab the spot through booking.com

I'll be there ... just staying elsewhere now

John

A special 'Thank You' to our sponsors and contributors this year:



Ktec Telescopes Ltd., Dublin - www.ktectelescopes.ie
Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone - www.shamrocklodgehotel.ie
Dezynamite, Tullamore - www.dezynamite.com
Vodafone, Golden Island, Athlone - www.vodafone.ie
McKenna Computers, Tullamore - www.facebook.com/pages/McKenna-Computers/440863632637013
European Southern Observatory - www.eso.org

Roll on April 17th to 19th!

Seanie.

ISS Passes for the Weekend (Based on location of hotel)

17 Apr -1.0 22:37:12 10° WSW 22:38:58 14° SW 22:39:29 13° SSW visible
18 Apr -1.4 21:42:54 10° W 21:45:24 20° SSW 21:47:51 10° SSE visible

Iridium Flare Info (Same location)
Day Time Mag Altitude Azimuth Sat Distance to flare centre Brightness at flare centre Sun altitude
Apr 17, 22:20:53 -0.4 45° 61° (ENE) Iridium 41 41 km (E) -8.0 -14°

Seanie

Is there observing Fri/Sat night as a few going from Galway, they asked.

Looking forward to it, weather prospects are excellent


Ronan