THE business community of Fingal in north Co Dublin is about to add a starship-type endeavour to its list of enterprises. Its members are taking to the skies and heading out west over the Atlantic to get a closer view of the Hale-Bopp comet.
Their spaceship, however, will be a chartered Aer Lingus Boeing 737 jet, which will provide the members of Fingal North-Dublin Chamber of Commerce with a unique view of the comet.
The comet gazers will have an opportunity to view Hale-Bopp from ahout 35,000 feet, way above the distracting lights of the metropolis and the air pollution which sits on the Irish land mass, clouding the view of this visitor from outer space.
The flight takes off at 9.30 p.m. tomorrow from Dublin Airport. The package, for £50, includes bar service, a commemorative photograph of Hale-Bopp, taken from Birr Observatory, and a talk by a comet expert, Mr William Dumpleton, of Dunsink Observatory.
The decision to charter the jet followed descriptions on RTE Radio of a similar flight from Britain. The secretary of the chamber, Mr Paul O'Keane, said: "I found that it could be done for an awful lot less from Dublin. That's it."
With 140 out of 156 seats booked by yesterday, was Mr O'Keane not concerned that the limper-looking Hale-Bopp was now situated lower on the horizon. "Ask me on Friday, when they're all looking for their money back," he replied.
The experts say that being out over the Atlantic Ocean should provide an excellent view of the comet Mr Dumpleton explained that "light scatter" on the ground caused "murk", which did not enhance the image of the comet when viewed from land. In addition, dry weather of late had meant that there was more dust in the air and the sky had not been "washed through by rain".
The fact that the comet was appearing lower on the skyline simply meant that there was more atmosphere to look through. However, viewing would be facilitated by being above the less-polluted ocean air.
Should the comet gazers be in any way disgruntled, Fingal North-Dublin Chamber of Commerce is promising stunning views of the western coastline if it is a clear night. A 10th-day moon - 77 per cent in view - will be visible above cloud level tomorrow night, which may illuminate the Cliffs of Moher for the starship entrepreneurs.
