Category: Science

Astrophotography competition goes mobile for 2024

‘Reach for the Stars’, the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies’ (DIAS) astrophotography competition, has returned for the fourth year running and is calling on Ireland’s budding astro-photographers to submit their images.

This year the competition has added a new category, the ‘Night Sky in Your Hand’, a mobile phone category to encourage more people to get involved.

The competition, which opened for entries today (10.04.24), is seeking the best astro-photographs taken in Ireland over the period 28th April 2023 to 10th May 2024. It is calling for submissions under five distinct categories:

  1. Night Sky in Your Hand: Images taken with only a smartphone, and without telescopes, of an astronomical scene.
  2. Out of this World – Planetary: Images of the planets, sun and moon.
  3. Out of this World – Deep Sky: Images of celestial objects that exist outside our solar system such as nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies.
  4. Back on Earth – Landscape: Images that depict a feature of astronomical interest as a prominent feature and elements such as nature, land or water.
  5. Back on Earth – Landmark: Images that depict a feature of astronomical interest as a prominent feature and elements such as cityscapes, buildings, houses, historical structures or monuments.

Launching the competition today, Dr. Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of DIAS, said: “DIAS is delighted to launch the ‘Reach for the Stars’ competition for 2024. We are always trying to improve and grow the competition and have made a number of updates this year that we hope will bring the competition to a new level. We now have an additional category inviting entries taken on smartphones. Cameras on phones can now take such high-quality photos that we felt it would be a great opportunity to encourage more people to get involved.

“We’re also delighted that the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland (AOI) has come on board this year and is sponsoring a prize for our competition winners. The AOI is a strategic partnership between us at DIAS, Armagh Observatory & Planetarium and Birr Castle Heritage Foundation to protect the astronomical heritage, and promote astronomical research and knowledge across the island of Ireland, so it is fitting for the Observatories to support the competition.

“Reach for the Stars is open to everyone – whether you are a seasoned professional or amateur with a love for astronomy. All we ask is that you follow the competition guidelines carefully when making the submission to ensure your images are eligible.”

Also commenting, Professor Peter Gallagher, Head of Astronomy and Astrophysics at DIAS and member of the judging panel, said: “With the addition of the new mobile phone category this year, I’m excited to see the range of entries we’ll get. This new element really opens the door for lots of amateur and budding astro-photographers who might not necessarily have the equipment but have an eye for a good shot to showcase their work.

“There are lots of astronomical events coming up in April alone – we’ve just had a solar eclipse, Lyrid’s meteor shower will take place later this month, along with a full moon before the closing date of the competition – so there are plenty of opportunities for people to get out there and capture some shots.

“The night sky can be enjoyed by everyone – we’ve had everything from glittering galaxies to incredible skyscapes entered over the past three years, and we’re looking forward to seeing what this year’s submissions have in store!”

Competition Details

Entrants may submit up to two images per category to the competition. The deadline for entries is 5pm on Friday, 10th May 2024.

 All entries to the competition will be screened by a shortlisting panel to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria. The shortlisted images in each category will then go forward for consideration by the judging panel and for an online public vote.

 Entries to the ‘Reach for the Stars’ competition will be judged by Brenda Fitzsimons, Picture Editor, The Irish Times; Michael McCreary, President, Irish Astronomical Society; Peter Gallagher, Senior Professor and Head of Astronomy and Astrophysics at DIAS and Niamh Breathnach, Senior Director, Alice Public Relations.

Prize Package

The winning photographers in the ‘Out of this World’ and ‘Back on Earth’ categories, as selected by the judging panel, will receive a prize package that includes:

  • Publication of their images on the DIAS and Irish Times websites;
  • Passes to the three sites of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland – Dunsink Observatory (Race to Space Escape Room), Armagh Observatory and Birr Castle Demesne;
  • A €500 voucher for photographic / telescopic equipment; and
  • A 12-month digital subscription to The Irish Times.

The winner of the Public Choice category, as voted for by the public, and the winner of the ‘Night Sky in Your Hand’ category will receive a voucher to the value of €250 for photographic / telescopic equipment, along with passes to the three sites of the Astronomical Observatories of Ireland – Dunsink Observatory (Race to Space Escape Room), Armagh Observatory and Birr Castle Demesne.

It is DIAS’s intention that the winning and highly commended images will also be included in an exhibition at DIAS during 2024.  Furthermore, all shortlisted images will be included in an online exhibition – for the purposes of the public vote – on the competition website reachforthestars.ie.

DIAS’s ‘Reach for the Stars’ competition is being run in partnership with The Irish Times, and is sponsored by Alice Public Relations. The Astronomical Observatories of Ireland and The Irish Astronomical Society are initiative supporters.

Further information, including the competition guidelines and entry form, is available at www.reachforthestars.ie.

Over 500 projects registered for ESB Science Blast at the RDS Simmonscourt, 4-7 March 2024

Primary school children from all over Ireland will take part in ESB Science Blast, the RDS’s flagship Science and Technology programme, asking questions about climate change, biodiversity and the impact of fast fashion on the planet!

ESB Science Blast will take place in Dublin in RDS Simmonscourt for four days, from Monday 4th March and finish with a lá speisialta do Ghaelscoileanna agus do scoileanna Ghaeltachta on 7ú Márta, 2024.

The event starts at 10.30am each day.

One of the largest science education programmes of its kind, ESB Science Blast is a free and hands-on way to engage young learners with STEM, specifically designed for primary school and delivered by the RDS Foundation through its Science and Technology Programme. It involves the whole class investigating the science behind a simple question and then showcasing their work at the event with support and feedback from a STEM expert.

Irish scientists are part of groundbreaking discovery with James Webb Space Telescope

Irish astronomers, including two researchers from Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS), are part of an international team that has detected radiation from a veiled neutron star in the Supernova 1987A (SN 1987A), using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The findings from the study were published today (22.02.2024) in the journal Science.

Commenting on the discovery, Tom Ray, Senior Professor and Director of Cosmic Physics at DIAS, said “When a massive star exploded back in 1987, and easily visible to the naked eye, it was the nearest such explosion to Earth in almost four hundred years. Supernovae, as these explosions are called, are thought to leave a collapsed remnant of their star behind but the search for the remnant proved very difficult and only indirect evidence was found. We are, of course, very excited that the Webb has shown us where the remnant is, verifying our understanding of such explosions.”

Using the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), astronomers were able to observe narrow emission lines from ionized argon and sulphur atoms located at the centre of a nebula around SN 1987A. The team concluded that the emission line strengths observed by the Webb Telescope must be triggered by radiation from the hot neutron star or from a pulsar wind nebula around the neutron star.

Professor Ray along with Dr Patrick Kavanagh, DIAS Research Associate and a faculty member of Maynooth University, and Jeroen Jespers, an Astronomy and Astrophysics PhD student at DIAS and Maynooth, played a significant role in the discovery.

Professor Ray is Co-Principal Investigator on the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) on the Webb Telescope and has worked on its development for over two decades. Dr Kavanagh has also worked on the MIRI and is a member of the Supernova 1987A team that made the discovery of the long sought collapsed stellar remnant at the centre of the supernova. He is one of the main authors of the study and an SFI-IRC Pathway Fellow.

Commenting today, Dr. Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of DIAS, said: “This is an exciting day for us at DIAS which sees years of work coming to fruition and another mystery of the universe unveiled. Our scientists involved in the development of the Mid-Infrared Instrument and the SN 1987A team are at the forefront of ground-breaking research in space, helping us to unlock mysteries of the universe. After four centuries, it is finally possible to show conclusive evidence for the presence of a neutron star at the centre of SN 1987A. It is wonderful that Ireland played an important role in this discovery, recently announced by Dr Kavanagh in Denver at the American Association for the Advancement of Science.”

Supernova 1987A (SN 1987A) was the first supernova visible to the naked eye in four centuries and provided astronomers with a close-up view of a supernova explosion using modern observatories. SN 1987A is one of the most studied objects in our skies and the detection of neutrinos, unimaginably small sub-atomic particles produced in the supernova, indicated that a neutron star must have formed. However, whether or not the neutron star persisted or collapsed into a black hole has been one of the biggest puzzles regarding SN 1987A. Even after three and a half decades of intense monitoring with cutting-edge, world-class observatories, no conclusive evidence for the presence of a neutron star at the centre of SN 1987A has been found, until now.

ESA Director comes to Ireland in “landmark” visit for space research community

Director of Science at the European Space Agency, Prof. Carole Mundell and her senior executive team attended an event, hosted by Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS), at DIAS Dunsink Observatory as part of a national visit last week.

The European Space Agency (ESA) group has been conducting a tour of all ESA member states. Ireland joined the ESA as a founding member in 1975 and has contributed to space missions along with the 21 other member states.  Commenting on the event, Dr. Padraig Doolan, Irish Delegate to the ESA within Enterprise Ireland said, “The recent visit by the Director of the Science Programme of the ESA, Prof. Carole Mundell, was a landmark event for the Irish space research community. While Ireland’s success on the industry side of space is reasonably well-known, this occasion provided a platform to recognise and celebrate the substantial breadth of expertise and talent that exists among the academic community in Ireland.

“During her time here, Prof. Mundell met with multiple research groups, stakeholders and seven universities from across Ireland at the event, hosted by DIAS Dunsink Observatory. She also engaged with several Irish-based senior scientists specialising in the areas of fundamental physics, galaxies and cosmology, heliophysics, planetary science, star formation and exoplanets, and stars and stellar evolution, as well as hearing first-hand from the team behind the successful development and launch of Ireland’s first satellite, EIRSAT-1.”

Host of the event Prof. Caitriona Jackman (Senior Professor and head of the DIAS Planetary Group), noted that “the day provided an opportunity to showcase some of the highlights of Irish space science and astronomy. Irish-based scientists engage with ESA on many levels, ranging from our formal positions as named investigators on missions like Solar Orbiter and JUICE, to our service on ESA working groups and mission selection panels. Our group of senior scientists laid out our ambition for increased engagement with the future portfolio of ESA missions from technology development to science exploitation.”

DIAS involvement

As part of the event hosted at DIAS Dunsink Observatory, DIAS scientists including Prof. Caitriona Jackman, Dr. Hans Huybrighs and Dr. Charles Bowers from the DIAS Planetary Group presented examples of their work on the magnetic environments of Mercury and Jupiter. Prof. Peter Gallagher, Dr. Shane Maloney and Dr. Sophie Murray highlighted Ireland’s formal involvement in the Solar Orbiter mission STIX instrument, and their leading Space Weather forecasting work. Prof. Tom Ray, co-primary investigator on the mid-infrared instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope, provided updates on DIAS activity on the development of detectors for space, as well as looking to future missions like Ariel.

The event was attended by representatives from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment (DETE), and Enterprise Ireland (EI), including the Irish Delegation to ESA.

New programme encourages people to get involved in monitoring earthquakes in Ireland and across the globe

Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) and Geological Survey Ireland are encouraging the next wave of ‘citizen seismologists’ through a new programme – Quake Shake – which was launched today (05.11.23).

Seismology is the study of earthquakes and seismic waves that move through and around the Earth. This new outreach programme is calling on people of all ages across Ireland to get involved in observing and studying local and global earthquakes – helping them to develop a better understanding of what lies beneath the Earth’s surface.

Quake Shake uses devices known as a Raspberry Shake seismometer. These devices are connected to the internet, allowing real-time monitoring of earthquakes. Raspberry Shakes can detect low magnitude local Irish earthquakes as well as large magnitude earthquakes originating from around the globe. Quake Shake will use additional seismic data from the Irish National Seismic Network (INSN) to develop teaching resources and to provide engagement with current seismological research in Ireland.

Commenting on the launch of Quake Shake, Professor Chris Bean, Head of Geophysics at DIAS, said, “Quake Shake represents a significant stride towards inclusive ways of engaging with how the Earth works. With DIAS and Geological Survey Ireland’s joint funding, we are empowering communities to actively achieve a greater appreciation of the dynamism of our planet.”

Koen Verbruggen, Director of Geological Survey Ireland, added, “This initiative aligns with Geological Survey Ireland’s commitment to promoting the understanding and application of geology in Ireland. Quake Shake holds the promise of not just educating but inspiring the next generation of scientists.”

The newly launched Quake Shake website features information about recent earthquakes, tailored exercises for teachers and students and an interactive quiz reinforcing key concepts in seismology. Quake Shake aims to spark interest in physics, mathematics, and geoscience at all levels, as well as nurturing curiosity in higher-level Earth Sciences.

More information on how to become a citizen seismologist and how to join the Quake Shake community is available by emailing info@quakeshake.ie.

Maynooth University’s Dr Patrick Kavanagh leads data and image processing of latest spectacular image taken by the James Webb Telescope

The NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope has released a new image of the well-known Ring Nebula with unprecedented detail. The new images show intricate details of structures and features, allowing scientists to understand both their chemistry and how they formed.

The observations were released today by an international team of scientists that includes Maynooth University’s Experimental Physics Lecturer Dr Patrick Kavanagh. Dr Kavanagh led the data reduction and processing of the image taken by a Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), a camera and a spectrograph that sees light in the mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, with wavelengths that are longer than our eyes can see.

Formed by a star throwing off its outer layers as it runs out of fuel, the Ring Nebula is an archetypal planetary nebula, and is relatively close to Earth at roughly 2,500 light-years away, making it an important object for scientists.

Commenting on the images, Dr Patrick Kavanagh, Department of Experimental Physics, said: “There has never been mid-infrared images of the Ring Nebula like this before. The exquisite detail reveals previously unknown features in the molecular halo that tell us this dying star’s nebula was likely shaped by an unseen companion star. There simply has not been a telescope capable of seeing these features until JWST.”

The new images provide unprecedented spatial resolution that show the intricate details of the filament structure of the inner ring (left) taken by NIRCam (Near-InfraRed Camera) and the concentric features of the outer regions of the nebulae’s ring (right) taken by MIRI (Mid-InfraRed Instrument). For context, it is the equivalent of distinguishing the details of a soccer ball at a distance of 550km.

Image credit: ESA/Webb, NASA, CSA, M. Barlow, N. Cox, R. Wesson

 

The images also provide insight on what the structures comprise and how they evolved. The images show some 20,000 dense globules in the nebula, which are rich in molecular hydrogen. In contrast, the inner region shows very hot gas. The main shell contains a thin ring of enhanced emission from carbon-based molecules known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Approximately ten concentric arcs are located just beyond the outer edge of the main ring. The arcs are thought to originate from the interaction of the central star with a low-mass companion orbiting at a distance comparable to that between the Earth and the dwarf planet Pluto. In this way, nebulae like the Ring Nebula reveal a kind of astronomical archaeology, as astronomers study the nebula to learn about the star that created it.Image credit: ESA/Webb, NASA, CSA, M. Barlow, N. Cox, R. Wesson

The colourful main ring is composed of gas thrown off by a dying star at the centre of the nebula. This star is on its way to becoming a white dwarf — a very small, dense, and hot body that is the final evolutionary stage for a star like the Sun.

The Ring Nebula is one of the most notable objects in our skies. It was discovered in 1779 by astronomers Antoine Darquier de Pellepoix and Charles Messier, and was added to the Messier Catalogue. Both astronomers stumbled upon the nebula when trying to follow the path of a comet through the constellation of Lyra, passing very close to the Ring Nebula.

These observations were completed as part of the James Webb Space Telescope observing programme GO 1558. Webb is an international partnership between NASA, ESA and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

 

 

Irish space scientists develop new project using AI to forecast space weather

Space scientists from the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) have developed a new project, using artificial intelligence, which will allow them to give faster and more accurate warnings about powerful explosions on the Sun, known as solar flares.

Solar flares can disrupt vital technologies and infrastructure, including radio communications, electrical power grids, navigation systems and pose risks to spacecrafts and astronauts.

This new project, called ‘Active Region Classification and Flare Forecasting’ (ARCAFF), will use a special kind of artificial intelligence known as ‘deep learning’ to make better predictions than what is currently used in operational forecasting centres. It will also provide information about how certain the predictions are – information which is not currently available.

Commenting on the project, Dr Shane Maloney, Senior Research Fellow at DIAS and Project Lead for ARCAFF, said “As scientists, we have long been predicting the weather, but now we also have the ability to predict events happening much further away on the Sun.  It may seem like these events have little effect on our daily lives, as we are largely protected from the Sun’s harmful radiation, by the magnetic field around the Earth. However, solar flares emission can change the atmosphere and create technological issues, like interfering with radio communication and GPS on Earth. They can also create beautiful displays in our night skies like the Northern Lights or aurora borealis.

“Space weather covers a variety of phenomena that occur because of the Sun’s turbulent behaviour, and its predictions are becoming more important as we further advance technology. Studying these space weather events helps us learn more about the Sun and better predict space weather. The new ARCAFF system will be more accurate and faster at giving us warnings about solar flares – which will greatly benefit space weather forecasters who provide guidance to spacecraft operators, and the power and aviation industries that are impacted by space weather.”

Also commenting on the ARCAFF project, Prof. Peter Gallagher, Head of Astronomy and Astrophysics at DIAS, said “The ARCAFF project is unique as it brings together science, analytics, and computing experts to work together in creating an advanced system to forecast solar flares. It has been an excellent opportunity for cross-disciplinary collaboration in DIAS and across the various partners involved.

“As well as being faster and more accurate at predicting solar flares, ARCAFF will make new datasets and software available for scientists to use, and the outputs of the project will be freely available online. We are also excited to educate the wider public about space weather and how it impacts Ireland and Europe, through our public engagement hub at DIAS Dunsink Observatory.”

The ARCAFF team includes partners across Europe that combines expertise in the fields of solar physics, machine learning, and computer science, including:

  • DIAS – solar physics and space weather forecasting experts;
  • Università di Genova in Italy – machine learning experts;
  • University of Westminster in the UK – science gateway development experts;
  • SZTAKI in Hungary – science gateway development experts.

The project is funded by Horizon Europe. Further information can be found here.

ESB Science Blast is developing fundamental life-long skills

ESB Science Blast, delivered by the RDS, hosted an event today bringing together leaders in industry, the education sector, local government and STEM to highlight the importance of STEM education within society. According to the organisers behind ESB Science Blast, promoting and fostering a passion for STEM in primary school children is key to developing the critical skills and mindsets required to meet Ireland’s future skills needs.

Dr Niamh Shaw, ESA Champion, engineer, scientist, writer, and performer delivered the keynote address at the event discussing the positive impact of ESB Science Blast and how it has affected the lives of the pupils and teachers who participate.

Niamh is Ireland’s first and only ESA Champion in Education, an award bestowed on her in 2022 by ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher in recognition for her work in promoting space in her education and communications work.

Speaking about her involvement in the programme, Dr Niamh Shaw said “I am very passionate about being involved in the ESB Science Blast programme. It’s hugely important that we make children aware of STEM as a career choice, especially young girls. The programme helps to eliminate the idea that STEM is just physics or maths and can open young minds up to the possibility that STEM is all around us. And I believe it’s because each project is rooted in the children’s natural curiosity for the topic that they have decided to understand better.

“Another impact of the programme is that we are helping children to develop life-long skills in science and problem solving, by nurturing their innate curiosity about the world around them. This is where science, art and all STEM subjects have emerged from. A class starts with a simple question which they are encouraged to be curious about and throughout the project they develop communication skills, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. No matter the future career choice, these skills will have an impact on our society as a whole, equipping future generations with the skills needed to face challenges such as climate change and pandemics.”

Dr Shaw’s keynote address was followed by a panel discussion with experts in education and STEM including:

  • Sorcha Browne Byrne, Assistant Lecturer Mathematics Education, Marino Institute of Education (MC and panellist)
  • Frank Ó Tormaigh, Education Officer (Digital), COGG
  • Dr. Claire Murphy, Chief Technical Officer Specialist | Anatomy Discipline | School of Medicine, TCD
  • Veronica Ward, teacher and STEM learning facilitator, Dublin 7 Educate Together National School, Arran Quay

Speaking at the breakfast event today (28.02.23), Geraldine Ruane, Chief Executive of the RDS, said ” Under the RDS Science and Technology foundation pillar we set out to achieve impact at a child’s formative stage.  It is not just about academic choices or career opportunities, we aim to develop scientifically literate citizens.

“Today we are bringing together leaders in industry, education, local government and STEM to highlight the importance of STEM education in our society and to reflect on the impact that the RDS’s Foundation flagship programme, ESB Science Blast programme, has had over the last five years. It’s also important for our stakeholders to meet and speak with our real STEM experts – the school pupils – to see the impact the programme has had.

“To meet the needs of an everchanging, rapidly evolving society, the RDS developed and has delivered the largest STEM-based primary school education programme in Ireland and across Europe: ESB Science Blast. The programme equips our young people with fundamental life-long scientific and problem-solving skills. The programme is a core building block for Ireland’s future preparing our children for the challenges and opportunities they may face in years to come. Our goal is to ensure that our young people see that science can and should be for everyone.”

The breakfast event was hosted as part of ESB Science Blast which is taking place in the RDS Simmonscourt all this week. ESB Science Blast, delivered by the RDS, is a STEM-focused education programme involving whole classes investigating the science behind a simple question, such as “how will climate change affect baby sharks?”.

Thousands of primary school children to descend on RDS for ESB Science Blast from tomorrow

Thousands of primary school children will head to the RDS in Dublin over the coming days for ESB Science Blast. ESB Science Blast, delivered by the RDS, is a STEM-focused education programme involving whole classes investigating the science behind a simple question, such as “how will climate change affect baby sharks?”.

ESB Science Blast will take place in Dublin in RDS Simmonscourt for four days, starting tomorrow, Monday 27th February, finishing with a lá speisialta do Ghaelscoileanna agus do scoileanna Ghaeltachta taking place on 2ú Márta, 2023. Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, will be at the event at 12.30pm Tuesday, 28th February.

The event starts at 8.30am each day.

Pupils from each class participating will showcase their experiment and discuss their investigation with a STEM expert (Judge/Moltóir). The judging is non-competitive and aimed at growing pupils’ interest and passion for STEM. Now in its fifth year, over 35,000 children have participated in ESB Science Blast to date, making it the largest primary school programme on the island of Ireland.