Episodes

  • Sky Watch - the night skies above Petersfield in June 2025
    May 31 2025

    Summer officially arrives this month and June is famous for the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year when the 'Petersphere' receives over 16 hours of daylight!

    This June however, Sky Watch is focussing on the Moon rather than the Sun. Listen to this month's Sky Watch to discover more.

    Written by Petersphere resident, astronomical expert and amateur astronomer Geoff Burt, and voiced by Claire Vennis, every month Shine Radio presents a Sky Watch of our unique dark skies.

    Let Shine Radio open up the wonder of Petersfield’s night skies for magical star-gazing from your doorstep, in Sky Watch.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    6 mins
  • Sky Watch - the night skies above Petersfield in May 2025
    Apr 30 2025

    By May the 'Petersphere' skies don't get dark until mid-evening. The darkest part of the sky is overhead and is ideal for observations as we head into Summer. Along with what to observe this month, Sky Watch also brings more essential tips to make the most of your observations!

    Written by Petersphere resident, astronomical expert and amateur astronomer Geoff Burt, and voiced by Claire Vennis, every month Shine Radio presents a Sky Watch of our unique dark skies.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    7 mins
  • Sky Watch - the night skies above the Petersphere in April 2025
    Mar 31 2025

    The 'Petersphere' is part of an International Dark Sky Reserve inside a National Park, so our location couldn't be much better for stargazing! The question is, how do you make the most of your observations?

    Listen to this month's Sky Watch to find out how. You'll also discover how the stars help decide when Easter falls.

    Written by Petersphere resident, astronomical expert and amateur astronomer Geoff Burt, and voiced by Claire Vennis, every month Shine Radio presents a Sky Watch of our unique dark skies.

    Let Shine Radio open up the wonder of Petersfield's night skies for magical star-gazing from your doorstep, in Sky Watch.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show more Show less
    6 mins
  • Sky Watch - the night skies above the Petersphere in March 2025
    Feb 28 2025

    Sky Watch has been airing monthly on Shine Radio for two years already, and this is our 25th episode!

    We might be focussed on the wonders of space, yet we can't ignore the passage of time. Speaking of which, how do you fancy a spot of time travel?

    Find out how and discover the celestial wonder, about 600 light years distant, of the lovely Beehive Cluster.

    Written by Petersphere resident, astronomical expert and amateur astronomer Geoff Burt, and voiced by Claire Vennis, every month Shine Radio presents a Sky Watch of our unique dark skies.

    Let Shine Radio open up the wonder of Petersfield's night skies for magical star-gazing from your doorstep, in Sky Watch.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show more Show less
    6 mins
  • Sky Watch - the night skies above Petersfield in February 2025
    Jan 31 2025

    "Oh, be a fine girl, kiss me!", or, if you prefer, "Oh, be a fine guy, kiss me!" That may sound like a Valentine's message, but for us stargazers it's a handy mnemonic. Find out why in February's Sky Watch and take a tour of the 'Winter Hexagon' asterism.

    Written by Petersphere resident, astronomical expert and amateur astronomer Geoff Burt, and voiced by Claire Vennis, every month Shine Radio presents a Sky Watch of our unique dark skies.

    Let Shine Radio open up the wonder of Petersfield’s night skies for magical star-gazing from your doorstep, in Sky Watch.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show more Show less
    7 mins
  • Sky Watch - the night skies above Petersfield in January 2025
    Jan 1 2025

    Hello, Happy New Year, and welcome to 'Sky Watch' for January!

    We're accustomed to embarking on a new voyage around our local star every January, but it hasn't always been that way. Based on ecclesiastical tradition, the ‘Petersphere’ year began on the 25th of March for centuries, right up until 1752, before finally changing to the 1st of January!

    The Winter night sky offers some of the best observations of the year. Listen to this month's Sky Watch to discover why.

    Written by Petersphere resident, astronomical expert and amateur astronomer Geoff Burt, and voiced by Claire Vennis, every month Shine Radio presents a Sky Watch of our unique dark skies.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    7 mins
  • The night skies above Petersfield in December 2024
    Nov 30 2024

    With another orbit of the Sun nearly complete, we reach the Winter Solstice on the 21st of the month.

    The shortest day, the longest night, yet with the promise that Spring and Summer are on their way.

    Meanwhile, when we get some high pressure at this time of year, the skies can be crystal clear if a little chilly.

    So, keep a weather eye out and, whenever we get one of those glorious transparent Winter nights, wrap up warm, have a hot drink handy and head outside!

    Written by Petersphere resident, astronomical expert and amateur astronomer Geoff Burt, and voiced by Claire Vennis, every month Shine Radio presents a Sky Watch of our unique dark skies.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    7 mins
  • The night skies above Petersfield in November 2024
    Oct 31 2024

    Can you name a famous event that happened during the reign of King James the First?

    There is one event that everyone has heard of, and it happened in November. "Remember, remember, the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason, and plot!"

    So why is Sky Watch concerned with the Gunpowder Plot? Thereby hangs a tale of 17th century intrigue with a connection to this show!

    Every month Shine Radio presents a Sky Watch of our unique dark skies.

    Sky Watch is written by Petersphere resident, astronomical expert and amateur astronomer Geoff Burt and voiced by Claire Vennis from under the dark skies of Langrish.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    7 mins
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