The island’s first astronomy camping weekend will take place at Ballamoar camp site, in Ballaugh this weekend.

The Isle of Man Astronomical Society event takes place from 4pm on Friday to 2pm on Sunday and will include talks, demonstrations, displays, lectures and stargazing.

One of the organisers of the Starcamp, Mark Henthorne, said: ’With so much interest in the island on the subject, we wanted to give the residents and visitors of the island the chance to meet up with locally based astronomers and just see what it is we do, and just what we can see in our dark Manx skies.’

Activities will include solar viewing, guided tours of the Manx autumn night sky, viewing Jupiter and Saturn in the evening sky, early morning viewing of the planets Venus and Mercury and possible viewing of the Northern Lights.

There will also be displays, talks, lectures and discussions in the clubhouse and large marquee on site on topics including astrophotography and astronomical equipment and computer software.

The event is free but those camping must book and pay for campsite pitches. To book, call 499394 or 898323.