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.
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Episodes
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That solar eclipse, September's darkening skies, and big news from space - Howard Parkin is here again!
Sunday, 6 September 2026
Astronomer Howard Parkin is in the studio again with the August edition of the Manx Sky at Night - recalling last month's solar eclipse, and describing the very beautiful stars and planets to be seen in the September night skies. Plus more space stories - including the Nancy Grace Roman telescope, named in memory of just one of numerous women who have made a massive contribution to space exploration.
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More stargazing with Astronomer Howard Parkin, including how to safely watch the August solar eclipse
Monday, 27 July 2026
Astronomer Howard Parkin explains what we can expect to see in the August dark skies over the Isle of Man, and comments on a couple of top stories from the world of space exploration PLUS full instructions on how to SAFELY watch a solar eclipse -ahead of the event on 12 August. Top of the advice list - NEVER look at the sun with naked eye EVER!
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More stargazing and space news from Astronomer Howard Parkin MBE
Friday, 3 July 2026
Local Astronomer Howard Parkin explains what we should look out for in our Manx skies during the weeks of July, and shares some of the many stories about recent achievements, and exploration plans, in the world of space
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Stargazing and space watching with resident Astronomer, Howard Parkin
Sunday, 31 May 2026
Howard Parkin tells us what we might see - weather permitting - in the Manx skies during May, and chats about some of the latest projects in the ever-changing world of space exploration.
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Astronomer Howard Parkin gets an email from space - something a little different on this month's show!
Tuesday, 28 April 2026
Astronomer Howard Parkin explains all we can see - weather permitting - in the dark skies over our Island during the month of May - and in this month's space news, Howard explains his personal link to the recent Artemis II mission.
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Anticipating Artemis 2 - and which stars will shine in our April Manx skies ? Howard Parkin knows!
Monday, 30 March 2026
More stargazing and space watching in the company of the Isle of Man's resident astronomer, Howard Parkin
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More stargazing and space-watching with astronomer Howard Parkin
Monday, 23 February 2026
Astronomer Howard Parkin describes what we can see in the sky during the month of March, and discusses the biggest stories currently coming from the world of space exploration
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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!
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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.
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Essential information for stargazing during December, and stories from outer space -with Astronomer Howard Parkin
Friday, 5 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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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?
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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
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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
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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.
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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!
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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...
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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
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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...
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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
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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
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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 ...