Star-B-Q
A Barbecue Under the Stars
for Everyone in Ireland North & South
Saturday 16th September 2017 - Gates open at 5pm and event starts at 6pm
No knowledge of science or astronomy is required to attend the event.
It is ideal for beginners, family, budding astronomers, everyone!
HIGHLIGHT: Live Viewing of Saturn!
and
"CASSINI AT SATURN"
Lecture by author Kevin Nolan!
Book Now!
Please Note: We do not post out tickets.
Please bring along your confirmation with you as your E-Ticket
ALL ABOUT THE EVENT !
'Star-B-Q' is Ireland's biggest annual TELESCOPE FESTIVAL for the general public (and Astronomy Ireland's biggest annual fundraiser.)
LARGE TELESCOPES: You will get to see the WONDERS OF THE UNIVERSE
from the dark skies of Roundwood in Co. Wicklow,
Ireland's highest village, with some of the most powerful telescopes in Ireland!
(This is an event unique to Ireland, vistors from abroad are welcome too!)
BARBECUE: A professionally catered barbecue will be served up earlier on in the evening.
You can enjoy some fantastic barbecued food
(vegetarian option available - let us know by saying so in the comments box when you book)
with side salads and soft drinks.
GREAT TALKS: There are also TALKS (aimed at the public, no knowledge of science needed).
LOTS TO SEE IN THE HALL: display, trade stands, advice, magazine.
LOTS TO SEE IN VERY DARK SKIES: learn the constellations when pointed out with Ireland's most powerful hand-held laser (40km beam!), binocular classes (also with the laser.)
Gates open at 5pm, and the event starts at 6pm.
Take a look at this photo from a dark sky site like Roundwood which is hopefully what you will see in the telescope when one year we had a comet on view! here
Talks on the night
"CASSINI AT SATURN" By Kevin Nolan of the USA-based Planetary Society (founded by Carl Sagan). As this highly successful mission comes to an end with the Cassini spacecraft crashing into Saturn the day before Star-B-Q, Kevin will look back at the mission, the science and the triumph that is Cassini, and the most stunning of the 450,000 images it took. A special high-resolution projector has been hired to show the best Cassini images in amazing detail! Kevin has written a book on Mars, and is an acclaimed planetary expert. His public talks receive thunderous applause every time as he is a gifted and passionate speaker - not to be missed.
"THE UNIVERSE" by David Moore, a mini-version of his one-man stage-show selling out theatres across Ireland this year (next full performance is Clifden Arts Festival on Sept. 19 www.clifdenartsfestival.ie) David Moore is Ireland's best known astronomer regularly broadcasting on TV and radio. He also edits our monthly magazine "Astronomy Ireland".
USA ECLIPSE TRIP: As a special 'extra treat' David will show a quick video he shot when he led the Irish group who travelled to Nashville, Tennessee to see the Total Eclipse of the Sun, the most viewed TSE the world has ever seen. We will show a few of the stunning 'still' photos of the eclipse too. These images will only be shown in Astronomy Ireland magazine so this is your chance for a sneak preview. (There won't be a TSE over Ireland until 2090 so do follow our informal 'travel club' by staying in touch via facebook/twitter - links are on our home page.)
"MAKING 'THE FARTHEST' " by Irish film Director Emer Reynolds. This 2-hour documentary about the Voyager spacecraft on the occasion of their 40th anniversary, won countless international awards this year, was shown in cinemas over summer, and screened on RTE in full this month. Irish film director Emer Reynolds will give the background story to the making of this brilliant movie, show clips, and take your questions. We think she and her team deserve an Oscar!
Photo: Star-B-Qers gather to watch a 'rocket launch' that opened Star-B-Q last year. This year shadow minister for space James Lawless (FF TD) will open the event - a TD with a science degree!
"Clear Sky Guarantee"
Even if it is not clear on the night the event will go ahead with talks, barbecue, displays, stands, and telescopes on display indoors. However, we will also set up the giant telescope on the following Friday or Saturday nights (when a clear sky is forecast). This way we can GUARANTEE you a view of the wonders of the universe! So keep the following weekend(s) free to be certain of a view of the universe that very few people in the world will ever get.
Some of the sights you will see at the Star-B-Q
These distant cities of stars have fascinated astronomers since they were first discovered, and can contain trillions of stars.
Giant groups of young stars and old stars, and some with millions of stars.
The glowing embers of giant dead stars dotted throughout the galaxy.
See Saturn, Mars, Uranus and Neptune this year!
Book Now!
Please Note: We do not post out tickets. Please bring along your confirmation with you as your E-Ticket.
On the night:
- Professionally catered food by a leading caterer (vegetarian option available - let us know by saying so in the comments box when you book)
- Night sky guide
- Binocular masterclass: bring yours, and we'll show you the secrets of the sky with a special laser show!
- Learn the constellations
- Door prizes
Book your tickets now!
Tickets are only:
- Adult tickets: €39
- Child tickets: €29 for under-16s
- Family rates are: full price ticket for two adults and first child (€39+€39+€29), €20 per child thereafter ( call (086) 06 46 555)
Note that ticket prices at the gate on the night are €50 per person, so be sure to book your ticket in advance.
Alternatively, call (086) 06 46 555 with your credit card details
Gates open at 5pm and the event begins at 6pm. Please Note: We do not post out tickets. Please bring along your confirmation with you on the night as your E-Ticket.
Weather and Clear Skies
Star-B-Q 2017 goes ahead regardless of weather on Saturday 16th September. If the sky is overcast on the night, a separate, telescope-only event will be organised for the following weekend, where you will still get to see the wonders of the universe!
The night is packed full of events to ensure that everyone has a great time, and we even have a number of backup talks and presentations planned in case the weather stops us seeing the sky.
Public Transport and Accomodation:
The Star-B-Q will take place at coordinates: N: 53.060, W: 6.230 (the green arrow below).
How to Get There
The GAA grounds are located just a couple of hundred metres outside Roundwood village on the R755. You can view a map of Roundwood below, with a guide on how to get to the GAA grounds.
View Larger Map
Taxis can be used to get you to or from the Star-B-Q. Alternatively St. Kevin's Bus service goes from opposite the Mansion House on Dawson St. to Roundwood. Fares and times are listed on their website.
There are a number of B&Bs in the area, and we recommend Roundwood Caravan and Camping Park for your overnight stay with tents, motorhomes, and caravans. Phone or email them at (01) 281 8163 or info@dublinwicklowcamping.com
All enquiries about bookings to office@astronomy.ie