There will be lots of free events throughout the month

Summer is now truly upon us with the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere occurring on June 21. Since the Winter Solstice in December, the Sun has been rising higher in the sky each day, but on June 21 this behaviour stops and the sun is said to “stand still”. The word ‘solstice’ is derived from the Latin solstitium, from ‘sol’ (sun) and ‘stitium’ (to stop).

Up to 50 events, featuring rocket launches and talks by astronauts, including legendary moonwalker Buzz Aldrin will take place in Cork during a two-month celebration of space exploration.

When Buzz Aldrin comes to Cork in June, he will give a public talk with a large replica of the lunar surface he once walked upon above his head.

Ireland has been chosen as the 2017 venue for the prestigious International Space University, which will be attended by 260 delegates representing the space industry’s finest brains.

Talented engineer Norah Patten is hoping to become the first Irishwoman in space — and is appealing for votes to help her reach for the stars.

AS YOU read, Space Shuttle Atlantis stands on Launch Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Centre, its black nose pointed towards the heavens, one last mission beckoning.

THE sky is the limit for ambitious young people, but one young Irish rocket scientist is hoping to go a bit further than that by becoming the first Irish-born person in outer space.