Go kids

BERNICE HARRISONwith alternatives to movies and the mall

What is the stars? Find out for yourself

The clear winter skies this week might encourage budding star gazers to try to find out more about the sky at night. Astronomers are particularly generous with their knowledge and encouraging of young people’s interest, and there are activities this week in both Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork and Dunsink Observatory in Dublin.

The First Fridays at Blackrock Castle event marks the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei’s discovery of the moons of Jupiter. This Friday, beginning at 6pm and running every half hour until 8pm, there will be guided, hands-on workshops led by the observatory’s astronomer, Frances McCarthy. The Space Crafts workshops are aimed at children (who must be accompanied) between six and 12 years. At 7.30pm there will be a star count in Orion led by enthusiasts from the Globe at Night group. The award-winning interactive astronomy exhibit Cosmos at the Castle is open until 9pm and free to the public. See bco.ie.

- Open nights at the Dunsink Observatory are held on the first and third Wednesdays during the winter months, starting in October and ending in March. If conditions are right, visitors can view celestial activity through the famous Grubb telescope. Tickets are strictly limited and, like those for Newgrange, there is huge demand. Contact Hilary O’Donnell, 01-6621333 or hod@cp.dias.ie. It’s the sort of event that’s worth making a booking for, even if it’s for next year.