An evening of stargazing in Onchan Park tomorrow will kick off the 2018: Year of Our Island.

The evening (7pm-9pm) is being organised by the team behind Year of Our Island and the Isle of Man Astronomical Society.

The aim of the evening is to encourage people to get outside and appreciate the mjaesty of the universe and skies around them at one of the island’s 26 official dark sky sites.

The Year of Our Island celebrations are in part inspired by the island being officially recognised as a Unesco world biosphere region, the first island nation in history to achieve such a status in its entirety.

Minister for Policy and Reform Chris Thomas MHK stated in December: ’We know that our island is a special place for people and nature.

’The year 2018 will bring opportunities for us to value not only our environment but also our culture, heritage and community, and to remind ourselves how these enhance our quality of life and our health and well-being.’

The night in Onchan is only the first event to occur in what Year of Our Island organisers and the Astronomical Society have called ’Dark Skies Week’.

The following night (also 7pm-9pm) there will be another evening in Onchan Park star gazing, before which, there will be a Dark Skies photography workshop with Brook Wassall at Ballakermeen Studio Theatre 2pm to4pm, which has sold out.

On Monday, January 22, there is invitation only photography exhibition opening at the Villa Marina running from 5pm to 6.30pm.

The following Wednesday, Manx National Heritage is hosting a space lecture for schools.

Later that evening and the following night (Thursday 25), the Isle of Man Observatory is having an open night 7.30pm-10pm.

Tickets to the observatory are £3 each and are there are two sessions each night, 7.30pm to 8.30pm and 9pm to 10pm. Organisers advise to book in advance. Dark Skies Week concludes with guest speakers presenting a night at The Dome 7pm-9pm.

Vice chair for Year of Our Island Daphne Caine MHK, believes events like these can ’enhance the feel-good factor for everyone and promote the many positive aspects of the island encompassing culture, heritage and the community’.

For further information, visit www.ourisland.im or search 2018 Year of Our Island on social media.