Moon throws shade across Westmeath
John Nooney of the Clonkill Observatory hosted a public viewing event for a recent solar eclipse in Westmeath. The event provided local residents, especially children, with a safe way to observe the astronomical phenomenon using specialized equipment.
Why it matters
Community-led educational events play a vital role in fostering public interest in science and astronomy, particularly among younger generations.
John Nooney of Clonkill Observatory doesn’t do as many public events as he once did, but he decided he couldn’t miss the solar eclipse last week, and opened up to guests so they could observe it safely and enjoy the benefit of his years of experience.
John’s main interest is telescopes and building them, more than the spin-off from using them, he told the Westmeath Examiner. He started building his observatory in 1968, and he has run it as an “educational facility to help inform people of matters pertaining to all space related activities”.
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