Page 66 - The Gonzaga Record 2004
P. 66
Of course, there were also many activities involving observation of astronomical
events themselves. Lunar eclipses, Orion Nebulae, Geminid meteor showers and
aurora borealises were viewed, among other sights. Frustration, however, is the
perennial state of most Irish astronomers, mainly due to the weather, though I am
told those fleeting glimpses through rain clouds make it all worthwhile (provided
you get them). There were occasions throughout the year when these glimpses were
sadly not got, such as an occasion when members gathered on Sandymount strand
to view a lunar eclipse. One lucky member presciently went to Howth, and did get
one of the aforementioned glimpses. I might add that there is one advantage to this
frustration in that you actually get to know your fellow enthusiasts instead of just
staring through telescopes. Indeed many strong bonds are formed in the face of this
adversity. Despite this, another of the members realised they didn’t care about all
that, and headed off to Rome and its clearer skies for what was undoubtedly the
astronomical highlight of the summer: the transit of Venus across the face of the
sun. For dedication, though, they were beaten hands down by Daniel Lynch (class
of 2002) who has kept up his contact with the society. He headed off to Antarctica
to see a lunar eclipse, and managed to get a few minutes of totality gazing through
an aeroplane window.
Overall this has been a very successful year. Without certain people, however, it
would not have been possible, and therefore we must thank Thomas Kinsella (5B)
and John Flannery (South Dublin Astronomical Society) for their enthusiasm and
expertise.
A stro n o m y S ociety
Back l-r: C. O’Connor, R. Mills, B. Kenny-Gibson, J. Whelan, M. Flanagan, F. McKeown,
S. O’Ciardha, J. McDonnell
M iddle l-r: G. Drea, D. Murphy, I. Boyle-Harper, B. Lannoye, D. Barrett, A. Altman,
D. Kavanagh
Front l-r: S. Maguire, E. Lannoye, C. O Loinsigh-Stewart, T. Kinsella, C. Mills, D. Mahon,
G. Colley, Mr. J. 0 Briain
events themselves. Lunar eclipses, Orion Nebulae, Geminid meteor showers and
aurora borealises were viewed, among other sights. Frustration, however, is the
perennial state of most Irish astronomers, mainly due to the weather, though I am
told those fleeting glimpses through rain clouds make it all worthwhile (provided
you get them). There were occasions throughout the year when these glimpses were
sadly not got, such as an occasion when members gathered on Sandymount strand
to view a lunar eclipse. One lucky member presciently went to Howth, and did get
one of the aforementioned glimpses. I might add that there is one advantage to this
frustration in that you actually get to know your fellow enthusiasts instead of just
staring through telescopes. Indeed many strong bonds are formed in the face of this
adversity. Despite this, another of the members realised they didn’t care about all
that, and headed off to Rome and its clearer skies for what was undoubtedly the
astronomical highlight of the summer: the transit of Venus across the face of the
sun. For dedication, though, they were beaten hands down by Daniel Lynch (class
of 2002) who has kept up his contact with the society. He headed off to Antarctica
to see a lunar eclipse, and managed to get a few minutes of totality gazing through
an aeroplane window.
Overall this has been a very successful year. Without certain people, however, it
would not have been possible, and therefore we must thank Thomas Kinsella (5B)
and John Flannery (South Dublin Astronomical Society) for their enthusiasm and
expertise.
A stro n o m y S ociety
Back l-r: C. O’Connor, R. Mills, B. Kenny-Gibson, J. Whelan, M. Flanagan, F. McKeown,
S. O’Ciardha, J. McDonnell
M iddle l-r: G. Drea, D. Murphy, I. Boyle-Harper, B. Lannoye, D. Barrett, A. Altman,
D. Kavanagh
Front l-r: S. Maguire, E. Lannoye, C. O Loinsigh-Stewart, T. Kinsella, C. Mills, D. Mahon,
G. Colley, Mr. J. 0 Briain
