Star-B-Q 2025
Saturday September 20th 2025
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Gates open at 4pm, with food available and viewing continues to 10pm with talks at 6, 7 and 8pm
**Weather: Star-B-Q goes ahead on Sept.20th regardless of weather – there’s the BBQ food, major BBC and SETI talks, astro-photo exhibition, raffles, telescope show, craic and more!
Latest met.ie forecast (issued Friday night) has “clear spells” but even if cloudy we will set up the big telescopes again on the next Friday or Saturday night that is clear so we GUARANTEE you a look at Saturn and the Wonders of the Universe!
Make sure you come Sept.20th and hopefully skies will be gloriously clear! Tickets are still available…
This year the main target for the giant telescopes will be the planet Saturn with its rings edge on, a view you will only get once every 15 years.
BBC’s new television presenter of ‘The Sky at Night’ Dr. George Dransfield will be there in person to give the main talk of the evening about her specialty, planets around other stars.
ZOOMing in from the USA will be the Deputy Director of SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) to tell us the latest on the scientific search for aliens.
Then it’s outdoors to view the wonders of the universe featuring Saturn.
And all evening there will be hot food and non-alcoholic drinks from our professional catered barbecue.
Andromeda Galaxy, a target on the night
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Or call us on 086 06 46 555
ALL ABOUT THE EVENT
FAMILY FRIENDLY TELESCOPE FESTIVAL: All ages welcome! Something for the whole family! Learn the constellations, get advice on your telescope and take part in our space themed arts and crafts “creation station”.
LARGE TELESCOPES: You will get to see the WONDERS OF THE UNIVERSE from the dark skies of Roundwood in Co. Wicklow (MAP), Ireland’s highest village, with some of the most powerful telescopes in Ireland!
(This is an event unique to Ireland, visitors from abroad are welcome too!)
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.)
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: These are talks aimed at the public, so no knowledge of science needed.
8pm: Dr. George Dransfield – presenter of the BBC’s “Sky at Night” – “Planet Hunting from Antartica”
7pm: Dr Oisin Creaner – DCU – “Funnels and buckets – how telescopes really work.”
6pm: Dr. Simon Steel – Deputy Director SETI Institute (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) -“Where are the Aliens?”
LOTS TO SEE IN THE HALL:
Display, trade stands, advice, magazine.
Amazing talks on the night.
Book early to avoid disappointment!
Call us on 086 06 46 555 for bookings over the phone or email us at admin@astronomy.ie for any queries.
EXCEPTIONAL NOTES: Star-B-Q is mainly a standing event. There will be a few hundred seats for those who wish to sit for the 20 – 30 minute talks.
We do not post out tickets. Please bring along your confirmation with you on the night as your E-Ticket.
NB: There are strictly no refunds (in the event of the skies being cloudy a seperate Telescope Night will be organised).
A photo of Saturn by Anthony Wesley showing how close to edge the rings are currently – we won’t see better until 2039 (Click To Enlarge)
Star-B-Q FAQs
Please wear warm clothes on the night as it can get quite cold.
There are no dogs allowed at the venue.
There is no alcohol allowed.
LOCATION: The event will take place in the GAA Grounds Roundwood, County Wicklow. Eircode A98 V2W5. Map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/24jrE7xvtZNmcR5EA
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