Space Station To Blaze Across Irish Skies at 6:43pm

This evening, at 6:43pm, the International Space Station (I.S.S.) will blaze across the sky and it can be seen by everyone in Ireland at the same time. "It's an amazing sight that alarms the general public who see it for the first time," said David Moore, Chairman of Astronomy Ireland. "This is because it's 100 times brighter than even the brightest star in the sky!"

The 220 tonne space station is the biggest object ever launched into space, has three astronauts on board, and is hurtling around Earth at almost 28,000 kilometres an hour!

The flyover of the I.S.S. celebrates the United Nations International Year of Astronomy 2009, and to mark this event, Astronomy Ireland is launching Beginners Evening Classes all over Ireland, starting just a few minutes after the Space Station blazes across the sky.

"Astronomy Ireland is urging everyone to get outside at 6:43pm to see the I.S.S. and then rush to their nearest Class and learn everything they ever wanted to know about the Universe for IYA2009," said David Moore, Chairman of Astronomy Ireland.

For more information visit www.astronomy.ie or call (01) 847 0777.