The Cosmos visitor centre highlights recent discoveries of extreme life forms on Earth and their implications for life in space. It invites interactive debate on mankind's ultimate place in the universe. Among the highlights at the Observatory are a tour of the Universe using interactive floor-to-ceiling screens. Visitors can learn about the evolution of the universe, from the earliest moments to the present day and beyond, delving deeper into the interactive software if they wish, or taking a more leisurely tour where they can enjoy the experience as a spectator.

Also, there is Ireland's first "social software" cinema designed by Martello Media, with the digital post production by the award winning Irish company,especially for visitors to Blackrock Castle. In a cinematic experience the audience directly influences the design of a space mission that may be needed to divert a comet from colliding with the Earth, using scientific principles to make critical decisions along the way.

Furthermore, the Observatory has a radio telescope that can actually beam messages composed by school groups towards nearby stars, some with known planets in orbit around them. A simulator allows users to follow their signal as it travels in realtime out of the solar system and on towards its selected destination.

Another exciting feature at the castle is an optical telescope that can continuously search for very short flashes of light (lasting mere billionths of a second) that may be evidence for extraterrestrial intelligence. This technique, known as an "Optical Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence" uses state-of-the-art instruments built by companies in Cork, including a Cork based photonics company which is fast becoming a leading market provider of Avalanche Photodiodes and Photon Counting solutions.

The Observatory is holding a special moon watch event this Saturday, March 15 since the first quarter of the moon will be visible. The moon watch will be held in the courtyard at Blackrock Castle and visitors will be able to view the moon through the Observatory's advanced telescopes. Claire said, "This will be a great experience for the public since the first quarter of the moon gives the best visibility for amateur astrologists".

Booking is essential for the event. The Blackrock Castle Observatory can be contacted on 021 4357917.