Howard gets ready for the Eclipse, reviews the recent Starship launch, and previews Manx stargazing prospects in AprilPor Manx Radio

As well as telling us what stars will be visible over the Island during January, Howard Parkin has also drawn up a stargazers calendar - significant sights to be seen in our Manx Dark Skies during the coming year - and if you'd like a copy, email your request to howardparkin@manx.net The music break is from Sailor In the second half of the programm…

In the November edition of the programme, Astronomer Howard Parkin tells us what will be visible (weather permitting) in the sky during the coming weeks - the music break is Frankie Goes To Hollywood and The Power of Love, and after that we'll be talking about space - and discussing some interesting and very unexpected data which has come back from…

Astronomer Howard Parkin discusses the movement of Venus, Jupiter and Saturn in the coming weeks - and will there be more meteor showers during November? And there's even a ghost story - with music to match it, from The Specials Part two keeps us updated with just some of the current space stories - including - are the scientists really sure that t…

The skies are getting darker earlier - which is good news for stargazers! Amongst the many topics Howard covers in this month's programme are the Equinox on 22nd September, a possibility of seeing Jupiter, Saturn, and the Andromeda Galaxy - as well as a moon that's full, red, blue, and super - but not sturgeon! The music break is Moonhadow by Cat S…

Astronomer Howard Parkin explains what we should be looking for in our August dark skies - including the Summer Triangle, a full Blue Super Moon (that might actually be red!), the appearance of Jupiter and the possibility of a dramatic Perseid Meteor Shower. The music break is Good Morning, Starshine by Oliver and after that, Howard brings us up to…

Astronomer Howard Parkin tells us what to look out for in our July dark skies, and after a break for a Glastonbury-inspired music choice, he looks at some of the big stories in recent space travel and exploration news. Howard welcomes your questions - email him - howardparkin@manx.netPor Manx Radio

Resident Astronomer Howard Parkin describes what we can look for in the dark skies over our Island during the month of April and recalls some of the highlights of stargazing in March. After the music break with Enya, it's time for the latest space news.Por Manx Radio

We're nearing the end of the 'best' time for stargazing, as the nights become ever-so-slightly lighter for longer - so Astronomer Howard Parkin says 'make the most of these next weeks before the clocks change the end of March!' There's a brilliant conjunction between Jupiter and Venus in early March - Mars is still bright overhead, and we discuss t…

For this month's edition of the MANX SKY AT NIGHT, resident Astronomer Howard Parkin takes us on a tour of the IOM Observatory. Group visits, and visitors on Club Nights are always welcome - email Howard if you'd like more information - howardparkin@manx.netPor Manx Radio

If the skies are clear enough, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn will all be visible during November; there are a couple of meteor showers in prospect - the Taurids and Leonids - and there may even be some fireballs visible! After the music break, Howard shares latest updates from the world of space exploration, and there's an invitation to a fascinating ta…

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! Other October highlights include the Draconids meteor shower peaking on 7 October in the No…

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. The first planned launch window for the Artemis 1 Moon Mission was missed due to a mix of technical and weather difficulties, but Howard's enthus…

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 - contact Howard via email - howardparkin@manx.ne…

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. Tonight's music break is a 1950's moon-themed song from Dean Martin And Howard will, as usual, be taking a look at the latest stories from the world of space expl…

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! And there's more news from the world of space exploration - including a report on the amazing Jame…

As usual, it's a podcast of two halves! Astronomer Howard Parkin begins with a look ahead to some of the things we can see in the dark skies over our Island during the month of May - the planets all visible in the morning sky; Venus and Jupiter very close and the possibility of a spectacular meteor storm around 14th May, with a lunar eclipse on May…

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 ama…

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 Telescop…

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 …

Now that the clocks have moved back, we have longer dark nights - perfect for star gazing when the skies are clear! Howard Parkin describes what we can hope to see in the skies during December - and there are hopeful signs, too - as some of the planets of Spring are beginning to appear. After a break for music from Enya (Shepherd Moons) Howard has …

Howard Parkin returns with his monthly look at our Manx skies - this time looking ahead to the month of November, explaining which planets we'll be able to see on clear nights, and when to look for a meteor shower and a eclipse. Plus Howard has a Halloween story - and a song from William Shatner! When he recorded 'Rocket Man' in 1978, William Shatn…

As the autumn skies get darker earlier, there's more scope for seeing the planets - Jupiter and Saturn will be dominating the southern sky and can be easily seen in clear conditions - and Venus is on the rise! Howard is just about to start his 37th year of teaching at University College Isle of Man - there are still some spaces left on the next cou…

On this month’s programme, Astronomer Howard Parkin looks into our Manx skies and explains what we can hope to see during the month of September, when we now have a couple of hours of darkness each night. It will be a good time to see the spectacular Milky Way, Cassiopeia - rich in legend - should be visible, and Howard talks about the planets and …

In the fist part of the programme, Astronomer Howard Parkin looks at what we can see - weather permitting - in our Manx skies during the coming month of August. It's the end of the noctilucent cloud season - it's also the end of the period of no official night time - so some darkness returns - which is good news for stargazers! Howard talks also ab…

Astronomer Howard Parkin explains what we might see in the sky during the month of July - despite the fact that summertime means it's really too light to see the stars clearly. But Venus is rising higher each night, and you might catch sight of Mercury! And exactly what are Noctilucent Clouds? This month's music break is the Blue Danube waltz - but…

Astronomer Howard Parkin takes his regular monthly look at the Manx skies. As night skies in June are very light, viewing opportunities are fewer - but when the skies are clear, the Plough is our guide to finding the spring stars, including Leo and Virgo. Venus is now visible and rising higher each night. This month's big news story is the eclipse …

The Lyrid Meteor Showers; Planets on show in May; the truth about supermoons - and more - as Howard Parkin looks at what we can see (weather permitting) if we go stargazing in the dark skies over our Island during the month of May. Howard’s music choice this month is the Star Wars theme … remembering that May the 4th is Star Wars Day (yes - Howard …

Astronomer Howard Parkin looks ahead to the dark skies of April, and explains what we can expect to see whenever we have good visibility over the Isle of Man in the coming weeks. And once again there are updates on all the latest space projects, and some new stories too. Music this week is April Come She Will by Simon and Garfunkel…

Astronomer Howard Parkin guides us through the spectacular sights we'll see (weather permitting!) in the dark skies over the Isle of Man during March - and we catch up with all the latest space stories - with activities on Mars making headline news this month!Por Manx Radio

This month's programme falls during our Island circuit-breaker lockdown, so astronomer Howard Parkin cannot be in the Manx Radio studio as usual. Instead, he's in his garden in Onchan, gazing at the skies. Sadly there's too much cloud cover, making 'live' stargazing too difficult - but Howard has plenty of information about what we can see during t…

In our dark skies, THAT conjunction - between Jupiter and Saturn - is still visible (weather permitting) in the evenings between 5pm and 6pm .....both are joined by Mercury and the Moon around January 9th, before each go behind the Sun, on the 29th and 24th respectively .....Venus is still visible in the mornings ...and the Quadrantid Meteor Shower…

Astronomer Howard Parkin explains what to look for in the dark skies over our Island during the month of December. Highlights include the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn on 21 December and possibly the best meteor shower of the year - the Geminid, which should be visible around the 12th or 13th December, weather permitting. And in the world…

Astronomer Howard Parkin looks into the wonderful dark skies over our Island and describes what we might see, in clear night-time conditions, in the coming weeks. He also looks back over 20 years of the International Space Station, and has all the latest news on the various expeditions in space already. The music break this month is VENUS by Barry …

With the longer autumn nights, come even better opportunities to enjoy our dark Manx skies! Astronomer Howard Parkin explains what to look for during October, and he also has news about the latest developments in space exploration - including the possibility of life on Venus, and another moon landing planned for 2025…

With the sun setting earlier and rising later, we're getting longer hours of darkness - which is good news for stargazers! Howard talks about the autumn equinox, viewing the Andromeda Galaxy and the Milky Way. September is also a great month for catching sight of the planets - Jupiter and Saturn will be dominating the sky soon, but Howard also expl…

In this edition of the Manx Sky At Night, astronomer Howard Parkin looks at the skies over the Island and explains how to find all the planets - Saturn, Jupiter, Mars and Venus - which will all be on display if we get some clear nights during the month of August. The Perseid Metor Shower will also be another feature in the coming weeks. The music b…

Howard Parkin is back in the studio, explaining which stars and planets we can look forward to seeing in our wonderful Manx dark skies during the month of July - including those beautiful ice-blue noctilucent (night-shining) clouds. After a song from Fifth Dimension (no - it's not Good Morning, Starshine!) Howard takes a look at the world of space …

Once again, our resident Astronomer Howard Parkin starts this month's programme with some stargazing 'live' from his garden in Onchan. Howard explains what (given the right weather conditions!) we can look out for in our wonderful dark skies during the month of June. This month's music track is Cilla Black with Across The Universe - a very appropri…

In order to maintain social distancing, Howard can't be in the Manx Radio studios for this month's edition of the Manx Sky at Night, so instead he's recorded a programme at his home in Onchan! First he takes us into the garden to do some actual stargazing - listen to this podcast outdoors at about 10pm on a clear night, using your smartphone or tab…

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 soo…

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…

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 a…

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 in…

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 als…

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!Por Manx Radio

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!Por Manx Radio

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 …

In this final episode of the Red Sky at Night series we take a look at Caring for Cambodia, education, and awareness. How can Cambodia overcome the corruption and injustice that lies beneath all of the growth the country has exhibited over the past couple of decades?Por Red Sky at Night

In episode 2 of the Red Sky at Night we hear stories about the modern day challenges facing Cambodia including the eviction crisis in Phnom Penh, ecological damage occurring along the Mekong River, and political corruption spread throughout.Por Red Sky at Night