NIAAS February 2026 Lecture – Dr. Apostolos Christou (AOP) – The European Solar Eclipses in 2026 and 2027

For our February lecture we are really pleased to have an old friend back to the NIAAS. Dr. Apostolos ‘Tolis’ Christou from Armagh Observatory will be along to give us a talk titled ‘The European Solar Eclipses in 2016 and 2027’.

This lecture will be held on Monday 2nd February 2026 at our usual venue of Ballyclare High School Lecture Theatre, starting at 8pm sharp.

About the talk:

A total solar eclipse, when the moon moves in front of the Sun, is among the most spectacular celestial events that may be witnessed by human beings on the surface of the Earth. Apart from their cultural value and the sense of wonder they instil to the viewer, eclipses have also played a pivotal role in the development of modern astronomy.Astronomers can now predict eclipses with extraordinary precision thanks to the availability of historical records going back millennia.

The two Spanish solar eclipses taking place in August this year and again in 2027 offer a unique opportunity to UK and European visitors to witness this rare celestial event, possibly for the first time. During this presentation I will go through the circumstances of each eclipse for the benefit of the prospective observer, cover the obligatory do’s and don’ts of solar eclipse viewing and also offer some tips from previous personal experience. Specific mention will be made of  the circumstances of the 2026 eclipse as viewed from Ireland, where a deep (>90%) partial eclipse will be visible.

About Tolis:

I was born in Athens, Greece where I graduated with a degree in applied math from the University of Athens. I completed a PhD on planetary and satellite system dynamics with Professor Carl Murray at Queen Mary University of London in 1998 and have been holding my current position as  a Research Astronomer at the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium since 2001. My research interests cover a broad range of subjects related to the physical and dynamical evolution of the solar system and its denizens. A significant part of my research focuses on planetary satellite eclipses and so-called mutual events where I have actively led and participated in numerous observing campaigns. Highlights of my work in this area include the first ever observation of an eclipse between two moons of the distant planet Uranus in 2007 and more recently the occultation of the bright star Betelgeuse (alpha Orionis) by the asteroid (319) Leona in 2023. I hold membership of the IAU Division A (Fundamental Astronomy), Division F (Planetary Systems and Astrobiology) and of Commission F1 (Meteors, Meteorites and Interplanetary Dust). I am a full member of the Royal Astronomical Society and the Divisions of Planetary Science and Division Dynamical Astronomy within the American Astronomical Society (AAS). Minor Planet (9084) Achristou is named after me. In my spare time I enjoy reading, going to the movies, photography and running as well as the occasional spot of stargazing.

It’s going to be so great to have Dr. Christou back with us to give us this lecture. This is one not to be missed. Hope to see you all there!

Refreshments and a bit of chat will be served after the lecture!

Clear Skies

NIAAS