Saoirse follows in footsteps of her famous astromoner uncle

The grandniece of a famous Austrian astronomer has won a telescope through a Science competition, in a twist of fate!

Eight year old Saoirse Foley won the telescope after completing a Science Trail around Sligo as part of the recent Science Festival.

When she came to IT Sligo to collect her prize her mother revealed she was the niece of a famous astronomer from Austria, who was a Professor at the University of Graz.

Professor Hermann Haupt, was one of Europe’s most respected astronomers and has had the honor of an astroid named after him in 1981. Her mother, Susanna Haupt was delighted her daughter won a telescope and hopes she will follow in the footsteps of her famous uncle. Saoirse is a pupil of the Knocknarea Gael Scoil in Sligo.

Pictured above is Jerry Bird, Head of Faculty of Science at IT Sligo and Oli Maede, Director of Sligo Science Festival presenting Saoirse Foley (8) with her prize of a telescope, having completed the Sligo Science Festival Trail with her mother, Sussana Haupt.