Supermoon tonight

Tonight the skies will be witness to a Supermoon or Large Full moon. Tonight's full moon will appear 14% larger and 30% brighter than usual. A supermoon occurs when the moon hits its full phase while also making its closest approach to Earth for the month, called a perigee. The moon will be within 221,802 miles(356,955.72 km) of Earth — its closest approach of the year. 


The most recent supermoon, in March 2011, was the biggest and brightest full moon in 18 years.
David Kriegler of the University of Nebraska said "there have been about 12 supermoons since 1954, or about one every five years"


So why not step outside and enjoy the spectacular sights in the sky tonight!

Other key astronomical events for May are:


May 20
Annular solar eclipse. The path of annularity will begin in southern China and move east through Japan, the northern Pacific Ocean, and into the western United States. A partial eclipse will be visible throughout parts of eastern Asia and most of North America.


May 25 
Penumbral lunar eclipse. The eclipse will be visible throughout most of North America, South America, western Europe and western Africa


May 28 
Conjunction of Venus and Jupiter. The two bright planets will be within 1 degree of each other in the evening sky. The planet Mercury will also be visible nearby. Look to the west near sunset.

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Irish bathing water quality improved in 2011

THE QUALITY OF bathing water in Ireland improved between 2010 and 2011, a new report shows. Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan, TD welcomed the publication of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) The Quality of Bathing Water in Ireland overview for 2011.


The report noted that there was a net decrease of six locations complying with the higher ‘guide’ standard. 


The results for the 2011 bathing season show that overall, the quality of bathing water in Ireland improved in comparison with the 2010 equivalent. Overall, 98.5 per cent (133 out of 135) of bathing areas complied with the EU mandatory standard, equating to ‘sufficient’ water quality. This is the highest number complying with the EU mandatory standard since 2000.


83 per cent (112 bathing areas) achieved the higher guide standard, equating to ‘good’ water quality.


 In 2011, five new beaches were identified and the number of designated bathing waters increased for the first time in Ireland in 10 years, rising to 135.


In 2011 the Bathing Water Quality Regulations, which were introduced in 2008, become operational.


Minister Hogan said Ireland will have to redouble its efforts to maintain and improve bathing water quality standards. The stricter criteria  in the higher guide standard requires local authorities to make extra efforts to improve the water quality and to tackle any potential sources of pollution.

White-tailed Eagles make Co.Clare their new nest after 100-year wait

A pair of White-tailed Eagles has begun nesting in Co. Clare.  They are breeding near Mountshannon, in what is the first documented nesting attempt for the species in Ireland in over 100 years. Nest building began in recent weeks, with the birds spending time in and around the nest site before laying eggs. The breeding pair are a four year old male and three year old female who were collected on the island of Frøya off the west coast of Norway and settled in the Mounshannon area in early 2011.


The White-tailed Sea Eagle was driven to extinction from Ireland in the early 20^thcentury.


The pair was released in Killarney National Park, Co Kerry, as part of the White-tailed Eagle reintroduction programme and developed and funded by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in partnership with Golden Eagle trust. 


Dr Allan Mee, project manager for the Golden Eagle Trust, described it as “a truly momentous event for Clare and Ireland”.


Although people may want to see the birds, they are warned that disturbance, particularly during the early stages of nesting when the birds are on eggs, would be detrimental to the pair’s success.


Dr Mee explained:
"We are very conscious of the risk of disturbing the birds especially at this stage of nesting. Disturbance could result in the birds leaving the eggs unguarded for a period during which the eggs could be predated or be chilled or the birds could desert the site. We would caution people not to approach the nest area but instead avail of the unique opportunity to watch a nesting pair of sea eagles from nearby Mountshannon pier where a telescope or binoculars will be made available for viewing by the Golden Eagle Trust. Information on the birds, their ecology and conservation will be available."


Birds can live for 25-30 years and generally mate for life with adult pairs remaining within their home range throughout the year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White-tailed_Eagle

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