Blackrock Castle Observatory - An Irish Gem

By the time this is posted I will be finishing up a two week visit to the amazing country of Ireland. I was across the pond for a meeting with my VERITAS collaborators -- a very high energy gamma-ray experiment -- the last week of June. I then spent most of this week visiting the Irish countryside.

During my time there, I was fortunate to visit and tour a very unique observatory and educational center known as Blackrock Castle Observatory. Located in Cork, Ireland, this 16th century castle is home to a real scientific research facility. Their primary research area is using a clever optical experiment to study jet emission from active black holes at the cores of galaxies.

Learning about the experiment is interesting enough, but the castle also hosts some of the most creative and interactive displays I have come across. Schools often take students to view the interactive displays, and one could spend hours (and hours) learning about a wide range of topics related to space and astronomy.

There is even an exhibit where would-be astronomers can help track a NEO (near Earth object) as it approaches Earth (see above image). A cross between a teaching tool and video game, participants even receive a score at the end to measure who "won". So the competitive among you will have a grand time.

I realize that this may only be relevant to those of you in Ireland and those that might visit, but it is definitely worth the trip if you fall into either of those categories. I should add, however, that getting there can be a bit tricky. I can attest from personal experience that the roads are not very clearly marked, so be prepared to stop and ask for directions.

Top Image used under General Consent from the Cork City Council, Lower Image Credit: Blackrock Castle Observatory