Manx Sky at Night

Howard Parkin explains what we can look out for in our dark skies over the Island, during the months of October (given some clear conditions of course!)  Mars Jupiter and Saturn are visible now, and this is a great time to see the Milky Way in all it's glory!

The music break this month is Neil Young's Harvest Moon

Space news includes more information about the delays to the SLS launch - due mainly to poor weather conditions; an update on the Starlink launch; and more great images from the James Webb Space Telescope - now sending back amazing pictures from Mars, Jupiter and Neptune.

Howard is always pleased to answer your astronomy questions - email him - [email protected]

Manx Radio's Resident Astronomer HOWARD PARKIN is back with more information about what we can see (if we have good clear conditions) in our wonderful Isle of Man dark skies during the weeks of September.

Join Howard Parkin, as he reflects on some of the best stargazing he's enjoyed during July, and previews some of the activity in the night skies during August - including the possibility of another meteor shower! 

This month's music choice is inspired by a question from a listener in Northamptonshire - 

In the second part of the programme, Howard talks about the latest images from the James Webb Telescope and brings us the latest news on the ever-changing space scene.

Resident Astronomer Howard Parkin describes the stars, planets and other sights that might be seen in the skies over the Isle of Man during the month of July - if we get clear conditions.

Manx Sky at Night is aired live on Manx Radio at 21.30 on the last Sunday of every month

Astronomer Howard Parkin takes his monthly look into our Manx skies, and describes what we might see, given the right conditions, in our dark skies during the month of June.  Tonight's music break is Telstar by the Tornados - but why ? Howard explains!

As usual, it's a podcast of two halves!

After the music break - Frank Sinatra's very appropriate Fly Me To The Moon - Howard will update us on the amazing amount of activity in space! Amongst other topics, he talks about the  Axiom Mission, the NASA SLS launch, the postponement of Exomars - and the latest news on the incredible James Webb Telescope....

Howard is always pleased to receive your comments or questions - email him - [email protected]

The next edition of the Manx Sky at Night is on the final Sunday of May  - 29th May 2022 - broadcast live at 21:30 and available immediately afterwards as a podcast

Once again, Manx Radio's resident Astronomer, Howard Parkin, explains how to enjoy the dark skies over our Island in the weeks of March when the planets will start to show the first signs of the end of Winter.  After the music break (Barry Manilow - with a planetary connection!) it's all about space - and telescopes - it's all good news from the amazing James Webb Telescope - but the Hubble is still going strong!

Astronomer Howard Parkin describes what will be visible - in the right weather conditions - in our Manx dark skies during the month of February.  After a rather unusual music break (you have to listen and work out the space connection!) Howard gives an update on the latest activities in space - he reports on the progress of the amazing Webb Telescope, and talks more about Starlink -  set to make the Internet more accessible than ever, and the Isle of Man will play an important part in its development.  There's news too  about the first Axiom mission - the first private space station, which might be launched in just a few weeks' time.

For the last time in 2021, resident astronomer Howard Parkin identifies what we can look for in the dark skies of winter. There's plenty of planetary activity, another meteor shower and a rare opportunity to see Mercury.  And Howard has produced a 'calendar' of what we can expect to see in the skies throughout the coming year - if you'd like a copy of his guide to the Manx night skies in 2022, email him - [email protected]