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

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.

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 Parkin

This month's music break is from Judith Durham

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

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 may show fossilised organic material - a sign of life?

Starliner is still at the International Space Station - the 5-day trip now seems as if it will be a 3-month stay for the astronauts - and it's possible that the ISS will be visible from the Island around the end of August - weather permitting!

Queries and questions are welcome - email howardparkin@manx.net

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

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 a major programme that's getting too costly ?

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' album

Howard is always happy to receive your comments and questions - email him - howardparkin@manx.net