Manx Sky at Night
Howard Parkin joins Judith Ley to discuss the different and exciting sights that can be seen in the dark skies over the Isle of Man at night.
Subscribe to this podcast
Episodes
-
Star gazing and space watching with Astronomer Howard Parkin - your monthly update is here
Monday, 26 January 2026
Astronomer Howard Parkin explains what we will see (weather permitting!) in the Island's dark skies during the month of February - plus updates on the current space missions - and listen out for his challenge!
-
Astronomer Howard Parkin recalls the best bits of December night skies - and gives us plenty to look for in the New Year
Sunday, 4 January 2026
Leading Astronomer Howard Parkin MBE talks about the best sights in our solar system that were visible during December - and suggests what the high points for stargazing might be during January. He also has some of the top space stories making headlines now.
-
Essential information for stargazing during December, and stories from outer space -with Astronomer Howard Parkin
Saturday, 6 December 2025
Astronomer Howard Parkin MBE discusses what we will see in the December skies over the Isle of Man (weather permitting!) and reports on some of the main space travel stories making the headlines in recent days.
-
From supermoons to space travel - Astronomer Howard Parkin has the top sky stories for the month ahead
Friday, 31 October 2025
Astronomer Howard Parkin MBE looks at the Manx skies and explains what we can see in the weeks ahead - weather permitting! After a music break from the Moody Blues, we're off into space with some of the biggest stories currently making the news headlines.
-
Another date with resident Astronomer, Howard Parkin - looking up to the Manx skies - and out into space
Sunday, 28 September 2025
Another date with our resident Astronomer, Howard Parkin, looking up to the sky with information of what will be visible in good weather during the month of October - and out into space, catching all the latest stories.
-
Astronomer Howard Parkin is star-gazing in our Manx dark skies - and space watching too
Monday, 1 September 2025
Astronomer Howard Parkin explains what we can see - weather permitting - in the dark skies over the Isle of Man during the month of September - and brings up to date with another selection of the latest space exploration stories
-
Another date with our resident Astronomer, Howard Parkin, looking up to the sky - and out into space
Sunday, 27 July 2025
What might we see in the August dark skies over our Island? And is private enterprise going to save space exploration - and revolutionise how we travel? Astronomer Howard Parkin has all the answers in this month's edition of the Manx Sky At Night.
-
Star gazing and space watching with Astronomer Howard Parkin - and it's not all good news!
Monday, 7 July 2025
Astronomer Howard Parkin explains what we might see in the July skies over the Island - and could space exploration really be grounded through cancelled projects and budget restraints?
-
MANX SKY AT NIGHT - MAY 2025 - Astronomer Howard Parkin with all things star and space-related
Sunday, 1 June 2025
Astronomer Howard Parkin explains what we can hope to see in our June skies, and after an optimistic song choice from The Beatles (Here Comes The Sun!) Howard will discuss some of the top space exploration stories in the news right now. Send your queries and questions for inclusion in future programmes to: howardparkin@manx.net
-
MANX SKY AT NIGHT - More stargazing and space stories from Astronomer Howard Parkin MBE
Tuesday, 29 April 2025
Astronomer Howard Parkin explains the activity of planets and stars in our Manx skies during the weeks of May, and discusses some of the biggest stories about space exploration currently making news headlines. The music break is a Simon and Garfunkel classic!Howard is alway happy to receive your questions - email him - howardparkin@manx.net
-
MANX SKY AT NIGHT - Astronomer Howard Parkin with more star and space news
Monday, 31 March 2025
As the month of March comes to a close, Astronomer Howard Parkin explains what to look for in the April skies over the Island, and updates us on some of the latest space exploration news.
-
MANX SKY AT NIGHT - Astronomer Howard Parkin is out under the dark skies again
Saturday, 1 March 2025
Astronomer Howard Parkin MBE explains what we can look forward to seeing (weather permitting!) in the dark skies over our Island during the weeks of March, and after a music break from Mike Oldfield and Maggie Reilly, Howard delivers a round-up of the latest stories in the world of space exploration - and innovation!
-
MANX SKY AT NIGHT - the one about the Green Flash - with Howard Parkin MBE
Wednesday, 19 February 2025
Star gazing, space watching - and talking about the rare sight of the Green Flash. Have YOU seen it? Astronomer Howard Parkin hasn't - and is very envious of those who have! Email Howard with your comments and queries - howardparkin@manx.net
-
MANX SKY AT NIGHT - Howard Parkin MBE is star-gazing and space-watching again!
Monday, 6 January 2025
Astronomer Howard Parkin MBE presents the final edition of the programme for 2024 - firstly looking at the stars and planetary activity in the January skies, and then looking back at some of the achievements in space exploration during 2024 - and flagging up the topics that we might be discussing in future programmes.This month's music break is Men At Work - Down Under
-
MANX SKY AT NIGHT - Howard Parkin looks forward to stargazing and space-watching in December
Monday, 25 November 2024
Astronomer Howard Parkin describes the stars and planets which will be visible in our December skies (weather permitting!) and discusses the latest space stories making the news in recent weeks.
-
MANX SKY AT NIGHT - more stargazing and spacewatching with Astronomer Howard Parkin
Monday, 28 October 2024
Find out what we can see - weather permitting - in our dark skies over the Isle of Man in the coming month of November - then catch up on the significance of some of the latest expeditions into space - all in the company of Astronomer Howard ParkinThis month's music break is from Judith Durham
-
Dark sky gazing and space watching - resident astronomer Howard Parkin scans the skies and brings us all the news!
Monday, 26 August 2024
Howard Parkin explains what can be seen in the sky if we have clear conditions in the coming weeks, and we catch up on the latest space stories - and ask the question - are those astronauts REALLY stranded in space ?The music break is Neil Young's Harvest Moon and questions for Howard can be emailed - howardparkin@manx.net
-
Dark skies are on their way back again - and Astronomer Howard Parkin is a happy man! What is he hoping to see? Find out here!
Wednesday, 31 July 2024
In this month's programme, Howard looks forward to the end of Astronomical Twlight - and the chance to see more in the darker skies over the Island. Perhaps a Perseid meteor shower? The planets Mars and Jupiter are back and - dare we say it - the sun is still very active so it's just possible that there COULD be another aurora!The music break is Forever Autumn from Justin Hayward, and after that, Howard will be reporting on some of the latest space stories - including - a lunar cave that could be a good place to set up a base on the Moon; Perseverance has found a large rock on Mars which...
-
More stargazing information and space news from our resident astronomer, Howard Parkin
Sunday, 21 July 2024
Howard Parkin takes a look into our Manx skies, to describe what we might see, given favourable weather conditions, during the month of July.It's a golden oldie music break in this edition, and it's followed by the latest space stories, as private companies take an ever-increasing role in space travel and exploration.Questions for Howard to answer in the next edition of the programme - on the last Sunday of July - can be emailed to howardparkin@manx.net
-
Star gazing .... space watching .... and will we see another aurora? Resident Astronomer Howard Parkin tells all ....
Sunday, 2 June 2024
Astronomer Howard Parkin joins us to look at what we can see in our dark skies over the Island, during the weeks of June - weather permitting! And he can't resist another word or two about the magnificent aurora - and considers the question .... will we see one again anytime soon?Still with auroras in mind, Howard's music choice this month is Renaissance and Northern Lights and in the second part of the programme he has the latest space stories and updates, including the Boeing Starliner launch, the Chinese lunar sampler, the Starship 4 launch .... and is Elon Musk coming to the rescue of...
-
No auroras - but some eclipse reflections - and loads more star and space news - with Astronomer Howard Parkin
Saturday, 18 May 2024
Our Manx Resident Astronomer, Howard Parkin, shares some more thoughts following his recent eclipse experience in Texas, and wonders if anyone might like to go with him to Spain for the next one?!Howard also takes a look at what we might see - weather permitting - in our Manx skies during this month of May, and updates us on the latest space stories.This month's music break is inspired by Howard's time in Texas - Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton - from his 'Traveller' albumHoward is always happy to receive your comments and questions - email him - howardparkin@manx.net
-
Nights are getting lighter - but Astronomer Howard Parkin says there's still lots to see!
Monday, 25 March 2024
Howard gets ready for the Eclipse, reviews the recent Starship launch, and previews Manx stargazing prospects in April
-
The first programme of 2024 previews the big stargazing events during the coming year
Monday, 8 January 2024
As well as telling us what stars will be visible over the Island during January, Howard Parkin has also ...
-
MANX SKY AT NIGHT
Monday, 27 November 2023
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 the James Webb Telescope. If you have any questions for Howard, email him - howardparkin@manx.net
-
MANX SKY AT NIGHT - OCTOBER 2023
Monday, 30 October 2023
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 there is life on other planets? Howard explains it all!
-
MANX SKY AT NIGHT - AUGUST 2023
Monday, 28 August 2023
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 Stevens In the second half of the programme, Howard goes into space - with news about Voyager, Boeing Starchaser and Artemis 3 Questions can be emailed to Howard, and will feature in the next edition of the programme - howardparkin@manx.net ...
-
MANX SKY AT NIGHT - JULY 2023
Sunday, 6 August 2023
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 date with some of the top stories about the race into space. Howard welcomes questions, and suggestions for stargazing or space-related topics for future programmes - email howardparkin@manx,net
-
MANX SKY AT NIGHT - JUNE 2023
Saturday, 1 July 2023
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.net
-
MANX SKY AT NIGHT - MARCH 2023
Sunday, 26 March 2023
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.
-
MANX SKY AT NIGHT - FEBRUARY 2023
Sunday, 5 March 2023
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 the exciting prospect of the Aurora Borealis The music break is Venus by Shocking Blue, and in the second half of the programme Howard brings us up to date with yet more stories of the race to get into space! Steve Bowen is due to head out on a mis...