May 20, 2025 Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, FL (May 20, 2025) – Indian River State College and WQCS 88.9 FM proudly celebrate a celestial milestone as the beloved radio program “Skywatch” marks its 30th anniversary this year. Since its first broadcast on January 2, 1995, this one-minute daily astronomical guide has illuminated the wonders of the cosmos for Treasure Coast area listeners, reaching the remarkable achievement of 7,955 broadcasts through May 2025.
Hallstrom Planetarium Director and Skywatch Host Jon U. Bell.
Created and narrated by Indian River State College’s Hallstrom Planetarium Director Jon U. Bell, “Skywatch” has become a treasured constellation in the public radio universe, appearing each weekday morning to orient listeners to the ever-changing celestial theater above.
“When you gaze upward on a clear night, you’re not just seeing stars – you’re witnessing cosmic history unfolding before your eyes,” reflects Jon Bell, whose recent achievement of 7,955 broadcasts was celebrated in May. “Through ‘Skywatch,’ we’ve had the extraordinary privilege of guiding listeners through three decades of celestial wonders – from spectacular meteor showers to once-in-a-lifetime comets, from lunar eclipses to the dance of planets. Each minute we’re on air represents another opportunity to help our community feel connected to the vast universe we all share.”
Dr. Anthony Dribben, Indian River State College Dean of Science, praised the program’s educational impact: “For thirty years, ‘Skywatch’ has been Indian River State College’s stellar ambassador to the community, transforming complex astronomical concepts into accessible daily insights. Jon Bell doesn’t just tell listeners about the night sky – he invites them on a daily cosmic journey that sparks curiosity and wonder. These 7,955 broadcasts represent an extraordinary commitment to scientific literacy and public education that perfectly aligns with our institutional mission.”
The program, produced by IRSC Public Media, has been expertly produced since its inception by Joseph Lenartiene, Operations Manager for WQCS. The collaboration between Bell and Lenartiene has created a perfect orbit of scientific accuracy and engaging production that has kept listeners tuning in for three decades.
Indian River State College President Dr. Timothy Moore emphasized the program’s significance to the College’s community engagement efforts: “In its thirty-year voyage across the airwaves, ‘Skywatch’ has become far more than just a radio program – it’s a brilliant example of how Indian River State College connects with our community through education that inspires wonder. Jon Bell has transformed thousands of mornings with glimpses of cosmic grandeur, inviting listeners to expand their horizons beyond earthly concerns and consider their place in the universe. This stellar achievement of nearly 8,000 broadcasts represents precisely the kind of dedicated, innovative community service that makes Indian River State College a guiding light for education throughout the Treasure Coast region.”
Bell, who previously created similar astronomical radio features for stations in Virginia from 1980 through 1992, carefully crafts each minute to prioritize current sky events, historical astronomical milestones, visible constellations, and fundamental astronomical concepts – often concluding with information about upcoming shows at Indian River State College’s Hallstrom Planetarium.
For those who miss a broadcast or wish to revisit the cosmos at their convenience, WQCS maintains a complete “Skywatch” archive at wqcs.org, featuring both audio recordings and written transcripts.
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About Indian River State College: Indian River State College, serving Florida’s Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee counties, offers high-quality, affordable education to 23,000 students annually through traditional and online courses. The College provides more than 120 programs leading to bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, technical certificates, and applied technology diplomas. For more information, visit irsc.edu.
About IRSC Public Media: IRSC Public Media operates four public radio stations serving Florida’s Treasure Coast and Lake Okeechobee region: WQCS (88.9 FM), WQCP (91.1 FM), and WQCO (90.5 FM & 88.5 FM). As the state-designated Emergency Alert System provider for St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River, Okeechobee, and Palm Beach counties, IRSC Public Media delivers essential news, weather information, and cultural programming to the communities it serves.
