THE Isle of Man is home to some first-rate star spotting – and not just when the likes of Zac Efron, Johnny Depp or John Malkovich have been here filming on location.
The Isle of Man Astronomical Society (IoMAS) is keen to promote astronomy in the island and has released details of significant cosmic events that will be visible in Manx skies in 2012.
By way of introduction to the subject the society will be hosting a live stargazing event in Noble’s Park on January 18.
IoMAS chairman Howard Parkin explained: ‘We haven’t done it before, but it’s something we’ve wanted to do for a while, as we can’t invite the public up to the observatory [in Foxdale].
‘The dates coincide with the BBC’s Stargazing Live event, so we thought we’d do a Manx version.’
An estimated 40,000 people scan the skies across the British Isles during the annual Stargazing Live event, and in Noble’s Park IoMAS members will be on hand to explain constellations and supervise telescopes.
Howard assures us that it is an interesting time to be looking to the heavens: ‘There are spectacular views of Venus low in the west, Jupiter high in the south, Mars in the east and Saturn can be seen in the morning,’ he said, adding: ‘The stars of winter are always impressive.’
Providing the sky is clear enough for the event to go ahead, enthusiasts should gather near the tennis courts from 7pm-9pm.
Howard, who has been teaching astronomy at the Isle of Man College since 1984 and has delivered lectures in Hawaii, South Africa and in the UK, is most excited about June 6, when Venus will cross the face of the Sun. These transits only occur every 100-plus years, and then in pairs eight years apart. The last one was in 2004 and the next is in 2117.
He says 2012 will also see a few conjuctions (when two planets come close in the night sky), as well as the usual meteor showers, although they could be better than previous years as moonlight will not interfere with the best showers, the Perseids in August and the Geminids in December.
On January 25, Howard will also be delivering a lecture at the Noble’s Park Pavilion on the Manx Night Sky in 2012, and a look at the island’s role in space commerce. The talk will be from 7.30pm, and the £2 charge includes refreshments. Tickets are available from the Henry Bloom Noble Library in Douglas.