Heavenly bodies plan series of summer spectaculars

IF UNUSUAL activity in the sky is a portent of doom, it could be time for all of us to consider cashing in those old prize bonds and booking an early holiday.

Like ageing rock bands, the heavenly bodies are cranking themselves up for a series of dramatic open air appearances this summer, which threaten to put recent offerings by the moon and the Comet Hyakutake in the shade.

No sooner have we seen the back of one total lunar eclipse than we learn that another is on the way, in September. Not to be outdone, the ancient but still occasionally interesting sun is getting in on the "unplugged" act in October, with a 60 per cent eclipse.

And even as Hyakutake is coming to the end of its earth tour in front of dwindling audiences, we hear that the mother of all comets is about to hit the night skies.

Comet Hale Bopp may sound like a short lived 1950s dance craze, but it's about 10,000 times the size of Hyakutake, according to Astronomy Ireland. It's already previewing to those with binoculars, but should be visible to the naked eye by August, and for all of 15 months thereafter.

Those of us who feel a little bit crowded by these comets can relax, however. Unlike its predecessor, which gave the Earth a near miss in astronomical terms, the new arrival will keep a respectful distance.

Whereas Hyakutake came within a cheeky 9.5 million miles, Hale Bopp will be about a dozen times farther away. But its enormous size will make it brighter.

Whatever about portending doom, all this celestial activity threatens to give the country a crick in the neck. Astronomy Ireland claims a world record 10,000 people joined its "national eclipse and comet watch" in the Phoenix Park on April 3rd a day which spelled doom for Labour's by election campaign in the nearby Dublin West.

As the PR agency to the stars, Astronomy Ireland is describing Hale Bopp as the "comet of the century". And to kick off a summer of extra celestial activity, the organisation is having one of its periodic "Star B-Qs" in the Dublin mountains on May 10th, involving access to Ireland's largest telescope, early views of Hale Bopp and food. All for £10.