View the photos from this year's successful Star Party

Since 1986, the Midlands Astronomy Club (formerly the Tullamore Astronomical Society) has been helping promote the interests of Astronomy and allied subjects. It has done so through:

• Monthly Public Lectures
• Observing Sessions twice monthly
• Monthly Club Newsletter (Réalta)
• Monthly free astronomical handouts and guides
• Our own annual Cosmos Star Party
• Newspaper and Radio coverage across the region
• Visits to schools and other clubs
• Fundraising Events
• Other Public Events e.g. table quizes

Meetings are held on the first Tuesday every month (except June and July), and are open to everyone, young and old. Read more about the club here. Anyone can get involved, and our friendly and informal meetings cater for everyone. Why not come along and find out for yourself?

Upcoming Events

• Visit to John Nooney's Observatory at Clonkill by MAC members scheduled for Saturday evening, May 12th. Learn more about telescopes and astrophotography. If interested, please get in touch.

• Observing Session on Saturday May 19th at our Observing Site in Clonminch.
More on our Observing Sessions >>

• Next Public Lecture is on Tuesday June 5th and will be about this year's Venus Transit 2012, taking place on the morning of June 6th for Irish observers. All welcome, admission €2.00, begins at 8pm.
View our Lectures Programme >>

• Venus Transit takes place from sunrise on Wednesday June 6th for Irish observers. More info from Transit of Venus website

Past Events News

• A good turnout at our May 1st meeting on Basic Astronomy welcomed some new members to the club.

• One of our best ever Star Parties, Cosmos 2012, took place on the weekend of April 13th to 15thwith 7 excellent speakers, 2 nights observing, exhibits and fun was had by visitors from all over Ireland and France!

• Our meeting on Tuesday April 3rd on the History of the Exploration of Mars welcomed some new members to the Club.

• Our Observing Session on Saturday April 7th was cancelled due to clouds. Our next attempt in on Saturday May 19th.

More Latest Club News here >>

For The Latest 'What's Up'...

Check out www.irishastronomy.org where you can see the latest astronomical highlights in the night sky. What is that planet in the East? Which meteor shower peaks this month? How can I spot the ISS? It's all there. You can also check out www.heavens-above.com and register a FREE account: this sets up your location and offers everything from satellite and ISS passes to sky charts, comets and more according to your position on the globe. We also recommend www.skymaps.com for this month's astronomical sky charts.

Today's Latest Astronomy

Current location of the International Space Station

The ISS will next be seen until April 25th as a late evening object with 2 passes visible each evening. See www.heavens-above.com for accurate pass predictions according to your location.

You can also check out the aforementioned site for Iridium Flares and much more from the same link.

Astronomy News Making Headlines