Date: December 2   Time: 18:00 - 21:00

FREE Monthly Event | www.bco.ie/events/first-fridays

CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory’s First Fridays at the Castle is an action-packed open night on the first Friday of every month with activities for visitors of all ages. This month’s FFatC is in association with the Cork Astronomy Club

This December’s First Friday will explore the Star of Bethlehem – with a fundraising drive in aid of Marymount Hospice.

18:00-20:00 – Cosmic Christmas Workshops : How to find the Star of Bethlehem

Four half-hour hands-on & family friendly workshops.   Join us this month to learn how to find the Star of Bethlehem led by Nick Addey who has dedicated years to unravelling the mystery of star and constellation names.

An insight into Nick Addey….

Stars and Mythology go hand in hand, but just how the two were woven together was lost to us. By using a list of star names and his own naked eye observations, Nick slowly but surely pieced together a collection of ‘real star pictures’ – pictures that fit the stars and look realistic. Having found a large number of stunning pictures the manner in which our ancestors crafted them, cartoon-style, into wonderful stories became apparent. As a result Nick can introduce you to a forgotten stellar legacy, one that, in a most unexpected way, makes learning the stars both easy and fun for adults and children alike.

20:00 -21:00 – The Star of Bethlehem: an Astronomical Detective Story with Tony O’Hanlon

Join Tony in the Theatre as he approaches the mystery of what exactly was “The Star of Bethlehem?” In his lecture he will explore this phenomenon, relying on documented archaeology and the cultural, social, religious and astronomical practices of the peoples in the region we now call the Middle East. Travelling back 2000 years to the days of King Herod, he will piece together a critical time period in which today’s astronomical knowledge might suggest an answer. This fascinating talk provides an intriguing insight into the mystery of what is probably one of the most powerful and enigmatic symbols of Christianity.

Note – BCO members enjoy priority seating.

A little bit about Tony….

Tony has been an amateur astronomer for 45 years. He has held the post of Shannonside Astronomy Club Secretary for most of its existence; he is the co-founder of WSP, and was V.P. of IAA for a couple of years. A former presenter at Armagh Planetarium, Tony has delivered many public astronomy out-reach lectures around the country. He has been fortunate to spend time at large professional observatories around the world, including observing with some big instruments such as 100″ at Mt Wilson. Residing in Ennis, Co. Clare, Tony currently works with Birr Castle providing astronomy out-reach and night classes. He is particular interested in deep sky objects.

18:00 – 21:00 – Stargazing (weather dependent)

Once the skies are clear BCO astronomers along with the Cork Astronomy Club will help train your eyes towards the constellations to spot the first quarter moon and also gazing at Jupiter

Please Note: The Cork Science Café will not be taking place this month