Manx Sky at Night

Howard Parkin was due to be off-Island for the last Sunday in March, so prior to his departure we recorded a programme in which Howard explains all we can see in our beautiful Manx dark skies, as we move from winter into early Spring. But Howard's time abroad was cut short by the worsening Coronavirus pandemic and he returned to the Island much sooner than planned - but had to immediately self-isolate for 14 days. So - part of this month's programme is our recorded conversation, followed by some actual stargazing as Howard joins us on the phone, from his garden, as he gives us a 'tour' of a perfect star-lit night sky! The best of all worlds!

Astronomer Howard Parkin explains what to look for in the Manx skies in the coming weeks - Venus still dominating the western sky; the Moon passing through Hyades; great conjunction of Jupiter, Mars and the Moon in the morning sky around March 18th, with Saturn in the same area; and with the constellations starting to set in the West, can Spring be far away?

This month's song is

Urban Spaceman from the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band

In the second part of the programme, Howard Parkin reviews the latest work being done by SETI - their astronomers are requesting that the subject of detecting life on other planets be taken more seriously. The Institute is now listening for, and preparing to analyse, sounds detected in space. And in the latest stage of the space race, Space X 'Abort Test' was successful, so they are a step nearer commercial/manned flights into space and Virgin Galactic have moved to their New Mexico HQ/Terminal

In the January edition of MANX SKY AT NIGHT, astronomer Howard Parkin tells us what we can expect to see in our dark skies during the coming weeks, including sighting the International Space Station, and spotting Venus as it dominates the evening skies. Is Betelgeuse really fading ? And if so, what does this mean for stargazers? Howard also gives an idea of some conjunctions we can look out for later in the year, and if you'd like a copy of Howard's guide to stars and planetary activity in 2020, email your request to him at [email protected]

We've also got an update on that mishap which curtailed the Boeing Starliner unmanned test flight at the end of December - and news of Virgin's plans for space tourism - there seems to be plenty of interest in their flights at £250K per ticket .....!

Howard Parkin studies the skies and his charts, and uses his astronomer's skills to tell us what we can look for in the January Manx skies. Plus there's the usual update on activities and initiatives in space exploration. AND - whilst we're still in the Christmas season - if you're interested in the 'star' which the Wise Men followed to find the infant Jesus, do be sure to listen to the PRAISE PODCAST for 5 JANUARY - it's available to download/listen via our website, and Howard explains what was really happening in the skies two thousand years ago ...... it's well worth a listen!

Once again Howard Parkin is enjoying the dark Manx skies of autumn - looking forward to the Geminid Meteors in early December, and the chance to get a good look to Venus (clouds permitting!) In this month's space news, could the discovery of unexpected amounts of oxygen on Mars mean that there has once been some form of life on the planet? It's also the anniversary of the Apollo 12 space mission - and Howard shares a very special space-related experience from his recent trip to the Holy Land.

Autumn in the perfect season for star gazing and planet watching - Howard Parkin tells us where to look, and what we might see. Plus there's news of the latest activity in space, and a super-hero is remembered - with a bit of 'seasonal' music from one of Howard's favourite bands!

Starry skies and adventures in space - Howard Parkin has stories and information to help us enjoy even more of our natural world - and there's a bit of music too!

Howard Parkin is loving the darker nights - perfect for star gazing and planet-spotting!

In this month's edition, Howard looks at the vital importance of the planets, and tells a few of the legends attached to some of them.

September will be a good month to look at the Moon - Howard has the best dates and times - and he teaches us a few more lunar terms!

As usual there's a space update - the International Space Station will once again be visible in the Manx Sky in September - and the race to get unmanned and manned spacecraft into orbit, is on - but who will be first?

This month's song is Harvest Moon by Neil Young