The Sky at Night

The Winter Sky

Patrick Moore shows you the wonders of the winter sky during the coming month.

Radio Astronomy

Patrick Moore discusses with Dr. Roger Jennison of Jodrell Bank how radio astronomy is increasing our knowledge of the U

The Plough

Patrick Moore discusses the most famous of all the constellations.

Penumbral Eclipse

Patrick Moore talks about the forthcoming penumbral eclipse of the Moon, and Mercury the nearest planet to the Sun.

The Moon

Tonight Patrick Moore is at the Hampstead Observatory. If weather conditions are suitable television cameras will bring

Jupiter

Patrick Moore talks about the largest planet, its family of moons, and its mysterious changing red spot.

Dwarf and Giant Stars

Patrick Moore talks about the life history of a star.

Moon Missions

Patrick Moore explains what it would mean to astronomers if a successful attempt were made to reach the moon.

Telescopes

Patrick Moore talks about old and new telescopes with A. H. Degenhardt, and shows some of the things which the new teles

The Universe

Patrick Moore talks to America's foremost astronomer, Dr. Harlow Shapley, about his theories on the size and scale of th

Mars

Mars is better seen now than it will be for the next ten years.

The Craters on the Moon

Patrick Moore and Dr. Gilbert Fielder discuss the recent report by a Russian astronomer of an eruption on the moon, and

Life and Death of the Sun

Patrick Moore describes the life-cycle of a star and compares the Sun's history with that of Betelgeuse, the vast red gi

Life and Death of the Sun

Patrick Moore describes the life-cycle of a star and compares the Sun's history with that of Betelgeuse, the vast red gi

Mercury and the Moon

Patrick Moore talks about the forthcoming partial eclipse of the Moon and about the planet Mercury, which is at its most

Twin Stars

Patrick Moore and Roger Griffin talk about these pairs of suns revolving round each other, and how they help astronomers

The Shape of our Galaxy

Patrick Moore discusses with Dr Harlow Shapley, former Director of Harvard College Observatory and one of the world's le

Minor Planets

Patrick Moore talks about some of the lesser known bodies of the Solar System.

Life on Venus

Patrick Moore discusses with F. L. Jackson, F.R.A.S., the theory that the planet Venus is covered with a shallow ocean,

Lights in the Sky

Patrick Moore discusses with Colin Ronan the Northern Lights and other similar natural phenomena.

The Ringed Planet

Patrick Moore talks about the planet Saturn, which may now be seen low in the south, looking like a fairly bright yellow

Topical Events

Patrick Moore introduces George Alcock who recently discovered two new planets. He also speaks about the eclipse of the

The Front and the Back of the Moon

Patrick Moore talks with Colin Ronan about what is known of the hidden side of the moon, and about the Russian satellite

Pairs of Suns

Patrick Moore talks about double stars.

The Star in the East

Patrick Moore gives an astronomer's view of the Star of Bethlehem which is described in Chapter 2 of the Gospel accordin

The Great Spiral

Patrick Moore talks about the Andromeda nebula, the most distant object in the heavens it is possible to see with the na

Uranus

Patrick Moore talks about the remote and slow-moving planet which was discovered in 1781. Uranus is sixty-four times as

Why Stars Twinkle

Patrick Moore explains how the atmosphere interferes with the astronomer's work. He discusses with Dr. Hugh Butler of th

Visitor from Space

The new comet, Burnham's, is now moving steadily closer to the earth, and should be clearly seen in late April. It will

Star Clouds of Sagittarius

Patrick Moore talks about the centre of our galaxy, which is so obscured by clouds of dust, gas, and interstellar haze t

Other Moons

Patrick Moore talks about the moons of other planets in the solar system. Some planets have more than one moon and they

Celestial Fireworks

August is one of the best times of the year to observe shooting stars. Patrick Moore talks about meteors and meteorites,

Measuring the Universe

Patrick Moore talks to Sir Harold Spencer Jones F.R.S. The former Astronomer Royal about measuring distances which are

Moonscape

Soon the Russians and Americans should be able to land instruments on the surface of the moon. Patrick Moore discusses

Make-up of the Stars

Patrick Moore describes how the modern spectroscope has enabled astronomers to find out what different stars are made of

Astronomy in Russia

Patrick Moore talks about his recent visit to Russia and some of the principal observatories there.

Tektites

These are strange glassy objects of unknown origin which are found on the surface of certain parts of the world. Patrick

Episode 14

Storms in the Sun

Patrick Moore talks with W.M. Baxter, Secretary of the British Astronomical Association, about the mysterious dark areas

Life on Mars

In this programme, postponed from February, Patrick Moore discusses with Dr. F. L. Jackson, of King's College Hospital P

Life on the Moon?

Following last month's programme on the possibility of life existing on Mars, Patrick Moore discusses whether very low f

Venus

As the Russian space probe approaches Venus, Patrick Moore discusses the little we know about this planet and what sort

Radio Astronomy and the Amateur

Frank Hyde has built and operated his own radio telescope at Clacton in Essex. Patrick Moore discusses with him the cont

Cosmic Debris

Patrick Moore discusses meteors and meteorites with Dr. M. H. Hey of the British Museum of Natural History, and the late

Saturn Live?

To celebrate the fiftieth edition of "The Sky at Night", Patrick Moore looks around the night sky through George Hole's

Astronomy in Space

Patrick Moore discusses with Dr. H. E. Butler how artificial satellites outside the earth's atmosphere can help astronom

Has the Earth Three Moons?

From time to time it has been suggested that the Earth may have more than one natural moon. Any such satellite would be

How Many Stars in the Pleiades?

Patrick Moore talks about star clusters and asks viewers to help find out how many stars in the Pleiades are visible wit

A Telescope for Christmas

Patrick Moore describes how to set up a small home telescope, powerful enough for real astronomical use, and discusses w

Volcanoes or Meteorites?

Patrick Moore discusses with Gilbert Fielder the age-old problem of what caused the craters on the moon, and whether the

Life in the Universe?

Patrick Moore discusses with Dr. Francis Jackson bacteriologist of King's College Hospital reports that signs of past li

The Farthest Planet

Pluto, on the boundary of the solar system, is the planet most remote from the earth. Patrick Moore discusses this stran

Space Needles

The recent United States attempt to put millions of fine copper wires into orbit round the earth for communication purpo

The Space Fog

Is space empty? Astronomers used to think so, but nowadays it is believed there is matter spread out between the stars s

Astronomy and the Ancients

Every year many people watch the midsummer sun rise over the avenue at Stonehenge. Patrick Moore discusses how much the

Signals from Jupiter

From the control point of Frank Hyde's amateur radio astronomy station at St. Osyth in Essex, Patrick Moore discusses wi

Saturn

With the help of a camera attached to the twenty-four-inch telescope in George Hole's back garden at Patcham, Patrick Mo

Keeping Space Clean

The first interplanetary rockets could carry with them bacteria from earth which might contaminate other planets. Return

The Demon Star

Algol, now visible in the evening sky, was called 'The Demon Star' in ancient times. Certainly it is a most unusual star

Journey to Venus

The American spacecraft Mariner II should be at its nearest to Venus on about December 14. Patrick Moore discusses with

The Moving Earth

This year is the bicentenary of the death of James Bradley, third Astronomer Royal. Patrick Moore and Colin Ronan discu

Space '63

1963 promises to be an exciting year for astronomy and space exploration. Patrick Moore forecasts some of the possible

Space Stations for Mars

A Russian astronomer has suggested that the two moons of Mars might be artificial space stations. Patrick Moore discuss

Venus Revealed

Patrick Moore and Howard Miles Director of the Artificial Satellite Section of the British Astronomical Association disc

Exploding Stars

Patrick Moore talks about the exploding star or nova in the constellation of Hercules which was recently discovered by a

Science Fiction and Science Fact

Patrick Moore discusses with Anthony Michaelis how over the years many writers' fantasies, like Bishop Godwin's voyage t

Birth of the Planets

American astronomers have just reported the discovery of a planet moving round a near star. It is now believed that simi

The Active Moon

It used to be thought that the moon had been a dead world for millions of years. Now Russian observers have reported tra

Superflare

Patrick Moore and Professor C. W. Allen of London University show and discuss a remarkable film of the sun.

Moon Base

Patrick Moore discusses with Arthur C. Clarke, one of the pioneer thinkers of space exploration, how his ideas have deve

Measuring the Universe

Following the re-measurement of the distance to the nearest star system-the Andromeda Galaxy-as 2.2 million light years,

Jupiter Disturbed

Patrick Moore discusses the recent unusual happenings observed in the surface markings of the giant planet Jupiter.

Star Myths

The stars have always compelled men's attention. Patrick Moore and Colin Ronan discuss some of the extraordinary legends

The Ghosts of the Universe

Patrick Moore talks about some of the strange celestial objects, like the planet Vulcan, which have been reported at tim

Signals from Jupiter

Frank Hyde discusses with Patrick Moore the progress of his radio-astronomy station's observations in collaboration with

Rock or Dust?

The recent flight of Ranger VI came near to solving the age-old problem of the nature of the Moon's surface. Patrick Mo

Space Navigation

For ages man has used the stars to navigate by Patrick Moore discusses with Henry Brinton some of the new problems of ce

Ancient and Modern

The Armagh Observatory in Northern Ireland is the oldest observatory still in use in the Commonwealth. Yet the work bein

Moon Gathering

Patrick Moore reports on the New York International Symposium on the Structure of the Moon's Surface, at which he himsel

Midsummer Sense

The accurate astronomical alignment of Stonehenge, notorious on Midsummer Day, contrasts with ancient Egyptian theories

Quasars

Quasi stellar objects, quasars for short, is the description given to a recently discovered and puzzling new kind of bod

Red Giant, Yellow Planet, Blue Sun

Commenting on reported changes in the yellow colouring of the planet Saturn, Patrick Moore discusses the colours a teles

Explosion in Space

The minor planet Vesta is now visible in the evening sky. Patrick Moore talks about the swarm of dwarf worlds in the sol

How Old is the Earth?

Patrick Moore and Henry Brinton discuss the current scientific evidence as to when the earth came into existence as a se

Unwelcome Atmosphere

Patrick Moore discusses the atmospheres of the other planets in the solar system, how much is known of them, what more i

Up in a Balloon

The advantages, drawbacks, and achievements of using balloons to take astronomical instruments above the earth's atmosph

Lava or Dust?

Patrick Moore discusses what information the photographs taken by Ranger 8 may give on the controversial question of the

Ancient Lore

Patrick Moore examines the ancient mythology of the stars and some of the ways in which they have been said to influence

Naked Eye Astronomy

Patrick Moore and Henry Brinton discuss how much useful observation can be done without using optical instruments.

How Long is a Day?

Recent studies suggest that the day on Mercury may be two months long. Patrick Moore discusses how this affects our idea

Space Weather

Space was once thought to be empty, but recent planetary probes - such as Mariner IV now approaching Mars - have shown t

Communicating with Other Worlds

In the 100th edition of Sky at Night, Patrick Moore considers one of the most intriguing problems of modern astronomy: c

Mars in Shot

Patrick Moore discusses the information sent back by Mariner IV and what new ideas it gives us about the planet Mars.

Re-thinking the Universe

Patrick Moore reports on Quasars. These recently discovered objects, immensely distant sources of vast amounts of energ

Ninety-Eight Inches

Patrick Moore looks at the new Isaac Newton telescope which will be the largest in Europe. What will it achieve?

The Unsteady Universe

In the past few months views about the nature and origin of the Universe have been changing considerably. Patrick Moore

The Extra Planet

Recent Russian studies have suggested that there may be another major planet in the solar system. Patrick Moore discuss

The Moons of Jupiter

Patrick Moore discusses with Frank Hyde whether the radio emissions from Jupiter, which have been puzzling many astronom

The Barwell Meteorite

On Christmas Eve the first meteorite to fall on British soil for many years exploded over the village of Barwell in Leic

Man on the Moon?

The recent successful landing of the Russian space probe Luna-9 on the moon has brought nearer the possibility of a mann

Stars in their Courses

Is Astronomy a good basis for further education? Patrick Moore discusses with Professor A J. E. Ingram and Dr. R. C Mad

Solar Eclipse

On May 20 there will be a partial eclipse of the sun, visible from Great Britain. Patrick Moore talks about eclipses an

Royal Observators

Since Greenwich Observatory was founded in 1675 there have been eleven Astronomers Royal. Sir Richard Woolley, the pres

Activity on the Moon

Patrick Moore discusses with Barbara Middlehurst of the University of Arizona Observatory and lunar observer Peter Sarto

Sun Time

Sundials were one of the earliest instruments used to study the earth's movements. Patrick Moore discusses with Henry Br

The Outer Galaxies

Patrick Moore talks to Professor P. A. Wayman, Director of Dunsink Observatory about the remote star-systems which have

The Planet with the Rings

Saturn is the lovely Ringed Planet - but this year the rings are not properly visible. Patrick Moore explains this unusu

Fireworks from Space

The Leonid shooting-stars may make a really brilliant display this month. Patrick Moore and N. B. Ridley talk about this

The End of the World

1966 is near its end. Millions more years are to come, but the earth will not last for ever. Patrick Moore discusses som

The Giant Planet

At present the most brilliant object in the evening sky is Jupiter, giant planet of the Solar System - an immense world

Observing Earth Satellites

Well over a thousand artificial satellites are now in orbit round the earth, and some can be seen as bright lights cross

Gas-Clouds in Space

Patrick Moore and Dr. V. Barocas talk about the nebulae - clouds of gas of many kinds far out in space. In some of these

The Craters on the Moon

Close-up photographs of prospective lunar landing-sites are rapidly increasing our knowledge of the moon's surface. But

Ten Years of Astronomy

On the programme's tenth anniversary, Patrick Moore describes the enormous advances made in astronomical studies during

A new look at Mars

Since the American rocket Mariner IV went close to Mars to send back information, our ideas about the Red Planet have ch

Vega

Vega, one of the brightest stars in the sky, is now almost overhead during the evening. It is a magnificent blue star, m

Lord Rosse's Great Telescope

From 1845 until 1917 the biggest telescope in the world was the 72-inch reflector built and operated by Lord Rosse at hi

Exploding Stars

Patrick Moore talks about Novae, which appear to be new stars but are in fact existing ones brightened by explosions, an

Invisible Astronomy

Patrick Moore and Colin Ronan discuss the increasing study of non-visible radiations from space which is dramatically wi

Cameras round the Moon

In the just-completed NASA Lunar Orbiter programme, five photo-laboratories have orbited the moon at 4,500 m.p.h. Patri

Venus Observed

The Russian probe Venus 4 has landed on its target. Patrick Moore talks about the mysterious earth's twin' planet, and

Lumps from Outer Space

Meteorites are the only solid objects from outer space which land on earth. Two thousand have been found, the biggest we

Home-Built Observatories

The enthusiasm of astronomers makes them build observatories at their own homes. Tonight Patrick Moore looks at three h

Calendars of Other Worlds

Leap Year makes this a special month-but variations in earthly calendars are slight compared with those in other worlds.

The New Planetarium

The Armagh Planetarium-the first big public planetarium to be built in Britain outside the London area-was opened to vis

Black Clouds in the Galaxy

Patrick Moore discusses with Iain Nicolson the sooty clouds in space which hide some stars and themselves shine in the l

Flights of Space Fancy

Patrick Moore discusses with Michael Bentine the problems of manned flight beyond the Moon to the planets and stars. The

A Close Pass by Icarus

In three weeks' time the asteroid Icarus, first seen in 1949, orbits close to the Earth. Patrick Moore talks to Dr. Vin

The Unquiet Sun

Sunspots, or 'storms' on the sun's surface, appear in maximum numbers about every eleven years; and large numbers are ex

Pulsars

Strange, quickly vibrating radio sources have been discovered far out in space. These pulsating stars or 'pulsars' are o

The Structure of the Moon

Within a few months from now, man may land on the moon. Patrick Moore discusses with a geologist, Dr. Peter Cattermole,

The Siberian Eclipse of the Sun

On September 22 a total eclipse of the sun will be visible in Russia. Patrick Moore explains why eclipses are scientific

The Eclipse of the Sun

Patrick Moore shows film and gives a first-hand description of the recent total eclipse of the sun he saw in Siberia, an

The 'Clocks' of Space

Radio-astronomers at Jodrell Bank are carrying out a series of remarkable experiments to measure the distance from earth

Venus, The Hot Planet

The planet Venus is like the earth in size, yet totally unlike it - as recent American and Russian probes have shown - i

The Moon and the Earth

Is it unlucky to see the new moon through glass? The moon has always been thought to have a powerful influence on the ea

The Moon - A New Era

Man has just taken his first close look at the moon, and in a few months American spacecraft are expected to bring back

How Much Can You See?

Without a telescope can you see the phases of Venus? The little star Alcor? The Great Nebula in Andromeda? Patrick Moor

Jupiter, the Giant Planet

Jupiter is specially brilliant this month, but it is so remote that many of its mysteries are still unsolved. Patrick M

The Moon and the Earth

Is it unlucky to see the new moon through glass? The moon has always been thought to have a powerful influence on the ea

Mars Target Two

Two American spacecraft will fly past the planet Mars this summer and send back information which may help to answer the

When Venus Crosses the Sun

Unique scientific observations are made on the rare occasions when Venus 'transits' - or crosses - the sun. Tonight's pr

The Needles of Space

Meteors and meteorites travel around space in their millions. A few reach the earth but most are burnt up in our atmosph

The Weather of Mars

Does it ever rain on Mars? Are there clouds, winds, and storms? The Mariner probes have sent back new, fascinating infor

Relativity

It is now over fifty years since Einstein astounded the worlds scientists with his revolutionary theories of Relativity.

Stars that Come and Go

Most stars remain unchanging over huge periods of time; but some continually vary in brightness. Only long observation c

The Moons of Saturn

Patrick Moore describes The Moons of Saturn. Why are Saturn's 10 satellites so different from each other? Why does one

The Grand Tour

In the late 1970s a spacecraft may be sent on a 'tour' of four of the outer planets - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptu

A 'Sky at Night' Special 1969 - Year of Space

'I believe 1969 may turn out the most famous year in all history.' So says Patrick Moore who, this afternoon, surveys t

Wanderers in Space

In January a comet will be visible in the northern sky, bright enough to be seen without a telescope. Patrick Moore talk

Orion

The constellation of Orion the Hunter is conspicuous in the southern sky. Patrick Moore talks about its many fascinating

The Crab Nebula

In the year 1054 a new star, or Supernova, appeared. It was a star so brilliant that it rivalled Venus and was said to b

Photography on the Moon

The Apollo 11 and 12 astronauts brought back colour photographs which have given valuable information about the moon's s

When Mercury Crosses the Sun

On 9 May the tiny planet Mercury will be seen as a black dot in transit across the sun's disc. Because it orbits close

Amateur Astronomers

Patrick Moore examines the telescopes at Frank Acfield's back-garden observatory in Newcastle. Amateur astronomers - whe

Steering by the Stars

Patrick Moore examines some instruments used by ancient mariners to steer their ships by the stars, and discusses with J

The Moons of Mars

The two tiny Moons of Mars, Phobos and Deimos, are unlike any other astronomical bodies known to us. Too small to be sa

Astronomers in the Space Age

Patrick Moore talks to some of the world's leading astronomers, who are attending an international conference at Brighto

Moon-quakes!

The devastating results of earthquakes are well known, but recent observations have shown that the moon too has moon-qua

Rockets to the Planet

Spacecraft have already been to the nearest planets, Mars and Venus. Within the next 10 years other probes will explore

Infra-Red Astronomy

One of the newest and most exciting branches of science, infra-red astronomy can detect 'invisible light' from the stars

Planets of Other Suns

Astronomers now think there must be planets circling many of the stars in the Universe, and that some of these planets c

The Approach of Mars

Mars has now started to approach the Earth. Later in 1971 it will be as close to us as it can ever come. More Mariner sp

Things are Seldom What They Seem

Our view of the Universe is always out of date! We see the Moon as it was over a second ago, the Sun 81 minutes ago, and

Sirius, the Dog-Star

Patrick Moore and Dr Vinicio Barocas discuss this star and its strange companion, a body so dense that one thimbleful of

A Black Hole in Space?

Patrick Moore discusses with Professor Samuel Tolansky a startling new theory about an 'invisible' star in the two-star

Jupiter - the Other Magnetic Planet

Only two planets are known to have magnetic fields: the Earth itself, and Jupiter the huge cold outer planet full of mys

Orbiting Space-Stations

The Russian Soyuz flights and America's planned launching of a manned Skylab in 1973 are steps towards the establishment

Tracking the Stars

A telescope must be moved continuously to follow the stars. Patrick Moore uses his own telescopes to show how this is a

How Far Are the Stars?

The nearest star - not counting our own sun, which is a star - is 25 million million miles from us. Patrick Moore uses a

Mars Comes Close

Mars is at its closest to earth since 1956, and American and Russian probes are on their way to map it and send back sci

The Life and Death of a Star

Stars look like simple points of light to the naked eye, but they have complicated lives, evolving from dust and gas and

Kepler, Genius and Mystic

The mathematician and astronomer Johann Kepler was born in 1571. Tonight Patrick Moore discusses with Colin Ronan the im

Mars

Three spacecraft should reach the red planet this month, the Russian Mars 2 and Mars 3 and the American Mariner 9. Patr

The Royal Observatory Telescope

A historic telescope recently returned from Herstmonceux to its original home on the roof of the old Royal Observatory,

The Great Bear

The Great Bear is the most familiar and conspicuous star-pattern in the night sky all the year round: but it is not exac

X-Ray Stars

The first X-ray source far out in space was detected nine years ago. Since then, 100 more have been found. But what are

Mars - A Dynamic World

Mars could have water and life. This is the astonishing information now coming back from the Mariner 9 orbiting probe.

What Do You Want to Know?

What is a neutron star? a quasar? a pulsar? a black hole in space? Patrick Moore answers your questions.

Fifteenth Anniversary

The Sky at Night with Patrick Moore started on 24 April 1957. In tonight's special edition, Patrick Moore looks back, wi

The Tenth Planet?

Patrick Moore explains why Planet X has been so difficult to detect, and what kind of place this dim, cold world at the

Midsummer and Megaliths

How much did our prehistoric ancestors know about the movements of the sun and moon? Patrick Moore is at Stonehenge to

Jupiter - The Colossal Planet

An unmanned spacecraft, Pioneer F, is on its way to Jupiter, the largest planet in our system and one of the most myster

The Andromeda Galaxy

The Great Spiral in Andromeda is one of the most spectacular objects known to astronomers. Patrick Moore describes our

An Exploded Planet?

There may once have been in the solar system an extra planet, destroyed in the remote past and producing the fragments w

Mars

New information about Mars is being received from the American space-probe Mariner 9. Patrick Moore and Arthur Cross tal

Collapsing Stars

Are there such things as 'black holes in space' - old stars which have collapsed in on themselves and lost their light?

Tycho's Star

Four hundred years ago this month, the famous astronomer Tycho Brahe saw a brilliant new star blaze overhead near the 'W

1973 - an Exciting Year!

Patrick Moore looks forward to a year of spectacular astronomical events: the launching of the Sky-lab earth-orbiting la

Practical Work in the Observatory

From his Selsey observatory, Patrick Moore illustrates what amateur astronomers can achieve, and shows the planet Saturn

Sirius - The Brightest Star

Patrick Moore talks about Sirius the Dog-Star, the brightest star in the sky and one of the nearest to us, and about its

The Eclipse of the Century

The longest solar eclipse of the century, lasting over seven minutes, will take place in Africa on 30 June. Patrick Moo

How Big are the Planets?

Patrick Moore discusses with Gordon Taylor and Dr David Allen new ways of measuring objects in our solar system.

The Colours of the Stars

Ancient astronomers described Sirius the Dog-Star as red: but what colour is it today? A few weeks ago, Patrick Moore a

The African Eclipse

British observers back from the longest solar eclipse of the century tell Patrick Moore about the results of their exper

Navigational Astronomy

Until the invention of modern techniques like radar and satellite-guidance, a ship at sea could only find her position b

Venus - A Cratered World

Venus has always been a mysterious planet - shrouded in its dense, fiercely hot atmosphere, in which life as we know it

The Moon Illusion

How big do you see the full moon? Near the horizon, it appears larger than when it is high in the sky - but this is not

The Volcanoes of Mars

Patrick Moore visits the volcanic crater at Mount Teide in Tenerife, and discusses with Dr Ron Maddison the characterist

When Mercury Crosses the Sun

On the morning of 10 November the planet Mercury will pass in transit across the face of the Sun. Patrick Moore tells ob

Pioneer to Jupiter

This month for the first time a space probe passes close to one of the giants of the solar system - the planet Jupiter.

Positional Astronomy

Patrick Moore talks about what is on view in the night sky now, and discusses with Gilbert Satter thwaite the important

Saturn - The Ringed Planet

Saturn is now very well placed in the evening sky, and a small telescope will show its ring system as well as some of th

The Milky Way

The Milky Way, made up of countless faint stars, can easily be seen in the evening sky this month. Tonight Patrick Moor

Life in the Universe

How strong is the possibility of life existing in other worlds in our galaxy and elsewhere in the universe, and if it do

The Daylight Star

The Sun is the only star near enough for us to study in detail. Patrick Moore discusses with Dr Ron Maddison the mysteri

The Heart of the Scorpion

Patrick Moore describes the Red Giant star, Antares, in the constellation of Scorpio. It is now visible above the southe

Shooting Stars

At this time of the year shooting stars can be seen in profusion, for we are in the middle of the year's richest meteor-

Choosing a Telescope

What can you see in the night sky with binoculars, or with a small telescope - and how much money must you spend if you

Lord Rosse's Great Telescope

A century ago, the most powerful telescope in the world was the great 72-inch reflector at Birr Castle in Eire, with whi

The Changing Force of Gravity

Has gravity always been the same? There have been suggestions that the force of gravity today is weaker than it used to

Eros - Wanderer in Space

This winter the minor planet Eros is due to approach the Earth as closely as it will ever do. Patrick Moore talks with G

The Year of the Planets

During 1974 there have been some important and spectacular space missions. In the spring Mariner 10 sent back the first

Orion, the Hunter

Patrick Moore talks about this most splendid of constellations.

The New Northern Hemisphere Laboratory

Patrick Moore discusses plans for the new Northern Hemisphere laboratory with Dr Graham Smith , director-designate of th

Algol: The Winking Demon

Algol, the Demon Star, is now well on view during the evening. Every two-and-a-half days the star seems to give a long,

Astronomy of The Infra-Red

Astronomy of the infra-red is now vitally important in studies of the planets, the stars and the universe as a whole. P

The Outer Planets

This month the three outermost planets - Uranus, Neptune and Pluto - are all on view, even though they are faint. Each h

The Mysterious X-rays

A strange force of X-rays from the sky has been discovered by instruments on board the British satellite Ariel-5. What i

The Hot Clouds of the Sun

What is the sun made of? To study the nature of the sun, special equipment is needed. At Sevenoaks Commander Henry Hatf

The New Moon

Six years ago, in July 1969, the first man landed on the moon. At a major international conference held in London last m

The Galilean Satellites

Jupiter's four largest moons - the Galilean satellites - are among the most interesting members of the Solar System. The

The Origin of the Universe

How did the Universe come into being? This is one of the most important and most puzzling problems facing mankind. Recen

New Star in Cygnus

We have just seen the brightest nova, or exploding star, for many years - Nova Cygni , which blazed out in the constella

The Rocks on Venus

On 22 October the Russians landed a space-probe on the planet Venus and sent back pictures of the surface which have tak

The Search for Life in the Universe

Is Earth the only inhabited world, or is our civilisation one of many? Patrick Moore looks at some of the stars which co

The Changing Face of Mars

The planet Mars is brilliantly visible in the sky at the moment. It has always been regarded as the one planet beyond ea

The Pole Star

Everyone has heard of the Pole Star - but how many people can find it, or know its importance? From his observatory at S

Black Holes in Space

What is a Black Hole? Nobody can yet be sure; it may be the final state of a very massive star which has collapsed, surr

The Rings of Saturn

The rings, easily visible with a small telescope, are now better displayed than they will be for some years to come. Pat

The Sun and the Earth

The Sun sends us its light and heat, but it has many other effects on the earth too. It raises tides; it produces the lo

Neutron Stars

Pulsars are among the most incredible objects known to man. They are composed of neutrons and are so dense that a pin's

Viking to Mars

Patrick Moore discusses the results of this historic mission with two leading experts Professor Geoffrey Eglinton and Dr

Viking on Mars

The first spacecraft to land successfully on Mars has started its programme of research. America's Viking 1 is now stand

How Far Can You See?

Patrick Moore brings news on the Viking missions to Mars and asks How Far Can You See? With the naked eye one can see 1

Viking - The End of the Beginning

Mars has been reached. Both Vikings have not only landed successfully but have sent back information which is as excitin

A New Look from Old Greenwich

For many centuries Greenwich Observatory was the world's leading astronomical establishment, and it marks the 'zero for

Quasars - the Remotest Objects in the Universe?

In 1963 astronomers identified ' quasars ' - star-like objects which were held to be the most remote and the most lumino

The Evening Star

This winter Venus is a brilliant object in the evening sky. It is very like the Earth in size and mass, and until the Sp

Sirius, the Dog-Star

Sirius is now at its best in the evening sky. It is one of our nearest stellar neighbours, and is much more luminous tha

Travel in Space and Time

How big is the universe - and does it have a boundary? Distances on the astronomer's scale are very hard to appreciate.

The Mapping of Mercury

First detailed photographs of Mercury, the innermost planet, were obtained by the American space-probe Mariner 10. Maps

Celebrates its 20th anniversary

In April 1957 The Sky at Night began. It could not have started at a better time; within months the Space Age opened, wi

The Solar Cycle

Sunspots are known to increase and decrease over an 11-year cycle. We have just passed through a period of minimum solar

Uranus - the Second Ringed Planet?

For centuries the ringed planet Saturn has been regarded as unique. This year the startling discovery has been reported

The New Infra-red Telescope

This month an important new British telescope has been completed. It is destined to be set up in Hawaii, and it is not a

The Swan in the Sky

Cygnus, the Swan, is one of the most beautiful of the constellations, and it contains some spectacular objects, includin

The Voyager Missions

The two Voyager probes to the outer planets are probably the most ambitious of all automatic space-craft launched up to

Stars of the Far South

How many people living in Britain have seen the Southern Cross? It never rises over Europe, but it is a familiar sight t

The Amateur Astronomer

Astronomy is still one of the few sciences in which the amateur can play a useful part. Paul Doherty , who specialises i

Why Do the Planets Shine?

All the bright planets are now visible in the early morning sky. Some of them seem to outshine the stars, and yet they h

Suns, Space-ships, and Bug-eyed Monsters

Ever since the days of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, science fiction and space exploration have been closely linked, and o

Exploring the Night Sky with Binoculars

Good astronomical telescopes are very expensive today, but there are many objects in the night sky which can be viewed w

The Nearest Galaxies

What is the most remote object ever visible with the naked eye? The answer is: the Great Spiral in Andromeda, which is a

The New Mars

The Viking space-probes have been operating on Mars for almost one Martian year (nearly two Earth years). We do not yet

Suns, Space-Ships and Bug-Eyed Monsters

Ever since the days of Jules Verne and H. G. Wells, science fiction and space exploration have been closely linked, and

The Asteroids

The asteroids or minor planets are among the most interesting of the junior members in the Solar System. Only one - Vest

Birth of a Star

How is a star born? We believe that with our telescopes we can see where fresh stars are being created. In this programm

Astronomers' View of the Earth

Far from being exceptional, our earth is an ordinary planet moving around an ordinary star. From space it looks like a c

Gamma Ray Astronomy

Gamma ray astronomy is a new science; as yet we do not know as much as we would like about these strange, high penetrati

The Edge of the Solar System

The outer planets, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto, are now visible in the evening sky. Do these worlds mark the real edge of

Question and Answer

What effect does the moon have on the tides? How do I recognise the constellations? What is a shooting star? Is there li

Does Anything Ever Happen on the Moon?

The moon has long been regarded as a dead world; but is this completely true? Astronomers have described faint coloured

Where Did Life Begin?

According to a new and revolutionary idea life did not originate on Earth but was brought here as organisms from outer s

Exploded Star

Six thousand light-years away in space lies the Crab Nebula, a patch of spreading gas which is all that is left of a sta

The Alignment of the Planets

The two giant planets Jupiter and - Saturn are now visible in the late evening sky. Rocket probes are on their way to bo

Venus Explored

In December, six American and two Russian space-craft reached Venus. With its dense atmosphere, its searing hot surface

The Man who Mapped the Nebulae

All astronomers know of the catalogue of star-clusters and nebulae compiled 200 years ago by Charles Messier ; and ' hun

Is Life on Earth Unique?

Most scientists believe that intelligent life is common in the Universe. But the creation of life requires special condi

The Space Between the Stars

Is space empty? Astronomers used to think so, but it is now known that there is a tremendous amount of material spread b

Voyager to Jupiter

When Voyager 1 flew past Jupiter in March of this year, it sent back results which surprised even the space-planners. Th

Looking at the Weather from Space

'Is it going to rain today?' 'Will it be a sunny weekend? ' The British are famous for discussing the weather. Its vag

X-Rays from Space

On 2 June the new all-British satellite, Ariel 6, was put into orbit more than 600 km above the earth's surface. Like it

Voyager 2 Reaches Jupiter

Voyager 2, the latest Jupiter probe, made its rendezvous with the Giant Planet on 9 July. Following the outstanding succ

The Zodiac

Aries, the ram ... Taurus, the bull ... Gemini, the twins ... These are three of the constellations of the Zodiac, the b

Pioneer to Saturn

The American probe Pioneer II. which by-passed the planet Jupiter in 1974, made the closest approach to Saturn on 1 Sept

Observing the Sun

From the country, the skies are dark and the stars shine out brilliantly, but city-dwellers can never see the stars well

The Message of Starlight

Not all stars are alike: some are red, some yellow and some white. These different colours show their different temperat

UFOs - fact or fantasy?

Patrick Moore and Michael Bentine discuss UFOs - fact or fantasy? What are the unidentified flying objects which have be

Mapping the Sky

How many people know the meaning of terms such as ' right ascension' and ' declination '? And what exactly is the celest

Saturn: The Disappearing Rings

Saturn is generally regarded as the most beautiful object in the sky, but this year it has an unusual appearance. For t

The Man Who Discovered a Planet

Exactly 50 years ago, in 1930, the planet Pluto was discovered by a young research student named Clyde Tombaugh. Since t

The Multiple Mirror Telescope

On the summit of Mount Hopkins, in Arizona, is the world's most revolutionary observatory, containing the multiple mirro

Journey to the Centre of the Galaxy

What lies at the centre of our galaxy? Are there masses of brilliant stars, or is there something even more significant,

Kitt Peak Observatory: the Solar Telescope

The Solar Telescope ' Kitt Peak, in Arizona, is America's national observatory. One of its most important instruments is

Quasars

What are the quasars, which may be close to the edge of the universe as seen from Earth? Are they made up of exploding s

The Mapping of Venus

In December 1978 America's Pioneer Venus I reached its target. Since then it has been orbiting Venus, and mapping the pl

Meteor Crater

In Northern Arizona there is a vast hole in the desert, almost a mile across and 600 feet deep, known as Meteor Crater.

Autumn Equinox

Patrick Moore , with the aid of a sundial at his Selsey home, explains why equinoxes occur, and shows how the seasons of

The Scintars

In the constellation of Aquila, the Eagle, there is a faint star known rather unromantically as SS433. Lately, however,

Voyager I Reaches Saturn

After a journey of over three years, Voyager 1 has reached Saturn-800 million miles from Earth. Last year the spacecraft

The Quadrantids

Meteors or shooting stars are familiar objects in the night sky. Several times during the year showers of meteors occur.

The 200-inch Telescope at Mount

Palomar Patrick Moore visits Mount Palomar in South California to see the great 200-inch telescope, and talks to the sci

The Sword of Orion

The Orion nebula is one of the most famous objects in the sky. It is visible with the naked eye as a hazy patch in Orion

Mr Herschel's Planet

Patrick Moore tells the story of William Herschel, the obscure Hanoverian army bandsman whose discovery with a home-made

The Spring Sky

What can be seen in the night sky this month? Patrick Moore describes the stars which are on view during April; he also

'In the Beginning.... '

In the crystal-clear atmosphere of La Palma in the Canary Islands the new Northern Hemisphere Observatory is being built

Neptune - the Mysterious Giant

Neptune, the outermost of the giant planets, has been known for well over a century, but our knowledge of it is still me

Bombardment from Space

What are the chances of the Earth being hit by an asteroid - another and much smaller world orbiting the Sun? Just over

The Summer Sky

During summer evenings many interesting constellations are on view. There are also some spectacular double stars, most o

The Perseids

Meteors, or shooting stars, space debris shed by comets travelling round the sun, can produce brilliant displays and the

Voyager 2: A Second Opinion of Saturn

On 25 August the American spacecraft Voyager 2 made its pass of Saturn, and told us more about the unexpectedly complica

A Tribute to Sir Bernard Lovell

Three weeks ago Professor Sir Bernard Lovell retired as Director of the radio astronomy observatory at Jodrell Bank, whe

The Autumn Sky

Pegasus, the flying horse, is the main autumn constellation - but do you know where to find it? Can you see Mars now - a

The Star of Bethlehem

For almost 2,000 years, the Star of Bethlehem has been regarded as a major mystery. What was the Star of Bethlehem? Was

The Winter Sky

Yesterday evening there was a lunar eclipse. The moon passed fully into the earth's shadow from 7.15 until 8.35 pm and t

The Changing Face of Venus

Venus has always been a planet of surprises, and very recently the Pioneer spacecraft orbiting the planet have provided

The Largest Star?

Close to the brilliant star Capella, in the constellation of Auriga, there is a particularly interesting star, Epsilon A

When Planets Loop the Loop

During evenings in April three bright planets-Mars, Jupiter and Saturn - are very conspicuous, with Venus still prominen

The Unfolding Universe

In this special programme to mark the 25th anniversary of The Sky at Night, Patrick Moore reports on what's happening at

The Depths of Space

Astronomers in Australia have just discovered an object which may be the most remote and luminous known to man. It is a

La Palma: a New Observatory

La Palma, in the Canary Isles, is a picturesque place. It is also ideal as a site for large telescopes, and it is here t

The Hunt for the Tenth Planet

Is there a new planet in the solar system? Many astronomers believe that there is a massive body beyond Neptune, the out

Siding Spring

Siding Spring Mountain in New South Wales is the site of one of the world's most sophisticated observatories. All the so

The Mystery of the Spiral Arm

Why are some galaxies, such as ours, spiral in form like huge Catherine wheels, and why are stars born inside these arms

The Cosmic Serpent

Can comets have collided with the earth? According to a new theory by Dr Clube and Dr Napier from the Royal Observatory,

The Last Man on the Moon

Less than four years after Neil Armstrong made his 'one small step ...', Commander Eugene Cernan became the last man on

The Winter Sky

The winter stars are more brilliant than those of any other season. Orion dominates the scene, together with his brillia

A New Frontier

A week ago IRAS, the Infra-red Astronomical Satellite, was launched and is now moving round the Earth at a height of 560

Mauna Kea - Half-way to Space

Mauna Kea, in the Hawaiian Islands, is almost 14,000 feet high. At its summit the air is thin and the skies are clear-wh

The Quickest Pulsar

Patrick Moore talks about a strange pulsar to the Astronomer Royal, Professor Graham Smith.

Neutrino Hunting

A mile below the Black Hills of Dakota lies a huge tank of cleaning fluid deep inside a gold mine - the world's stranges

Speckles of Light

The stars, many far bigger than our ' star the sun, are many millions of miles away and appear only as specks of light.

Pioneering the Heliosphere

Two rocket probes, Pioneers 10 and 11, are on their way out of the solar system. They are sending back new information a

Illuminating Quasars

First identified 20 years ago, quasars are probably the most dramatic objects in the universe. Though small compared wit

Unlocking the Secrets of Vega

Vega has been known to astronomers for centuries. At least, astronomers thought they knew most things about this brillia

The Autumn Sky

IRAS, the Infra-Red Astronomical Satellite, continues on its triumphant way. and has now discovered a remarkable 20 mill

The Mount Wilson Observatory

In 1917 astronomy entered a new era. The great 100-inch reflecting telescope on Mount Wilson in California was completed

Discoveries in Space

IRAS, the infra-red astronomical satellite, is proving to be one of the most successful of all space missions. Already i

The Black Hole Weigh-In

Black holes are almost certainly the most bizarre objects known. They cannot be seen but they betray their presence by t

Episode 600

Episode 900

The Winter Sky

Winter is perhaps the best time for star-gazing; the nights are long and dark. Also the winter constellations, led by Or

At the Castle Gate

British astronomy has always been in the forefront of research. This is still true today, though the largest optical tel

Venus Unveiled

For the past few months Venus has been a brilliant object in the morning sky. Though we cannot see through its dense, un

The Secret Lives of the Stars

The stars are suns; they have tremendously long lives, but they do not exist for ever. In this programme Patrick Moore a

New Life for Solar Max

In February 1980 the Americans launched an important artificial satellite - Solar Max, designed to study the sun. After

Cooking the Elements

Most astronomers believe that the universe began with a big bang, perhaps 15,000-million years ago, and that all the fam

A Night with the INT

The Isaac Newton Telescope at the new observatory at La Palma, in the Canary Islands, is now ready for use. Patrick Moor

Missions to Comets

Interest is growing as Halley s Comet continues to draw in toward the sun. Already there have been trial runs in observi

The Orange World of Titan

Titan, Saturn's largest moon, is one of the most remarkable bodies in the solar system. With its dense orange clouds and

Shells Around the Stars

Do other solar systems exist? Information from the infra-red astronomical satellite, IRAS, indicates that they may well

Once Upon a Time

What is only 100 years old? What were the French finally forced to accept? And why do King Charles II, Sir Isaac Newto

Reflection Nebulae

There is a tremendous amount of material spread thinly between the stars. If a star happens to pass into a cloud of dens

Forgotten Constellations

Most people can recognise the major constellations such as Orion the celestial hunter, Hercules, Perseus, the Great Bear

Worlds Apart?

Patrick Moore looks at the new and quite unexpected developments in our understanding of Beta Pictoris and Van Biesbroec

Colours of the Stars

The Anglo-Australian Telescope in New South Wales is one of the largest and best telescopes in the world. With it David

The Year of the Comet

Halley's Comet is now approaching the Sun and the Earth. Patrick Moore explains when and where to look for the comet, an

The Sky in Infra-Red

The Infra-Red Astronomical Satellite, IRAS, operated for most of 1983 and provided important information about subjects

Moon Rills

The moon is a world of mountains, craters, valleys, peaks and huge waterless seas. Of special interest are the cracklike

Little Worlds

During its voyage to Jupiter, the American Galileo probe will survey a small and interesting world, the asteroid Amphitr

Summer Sky

How do you find your way around the sky? It is not difficult; the constellation patterns are easy enough to make out. P

Infra-Red at Siding Spring

Infra-red radiation, often termed 'heat', is an important part of the total range of wavelengths now being studied by as

Mizar

Mizar, the second star in the 'handle' of the Plough, has a faint companion, Alcor, easily visible with the naked eye. U

The Computerised Amateur

Many amateur astronomers have large telescopes but Ron Arbour 's observatory, near Winchester, is exceptional; his 16-in

Red Shift - or Red Herring?

How large is the universe? Astronomers measure the distances of very remote objects by using spectroscopes, but today th

The Comet Returns

Halley's Comet is now back and can be seen with binoculars, and should be visible with the naked eye next month. Patrick

How Wrong We Were

The science of astronomy is thousands of years old. Yet only in the last few decades have astronomers made discoveries t

Our Nearest Star

How much is known about the sun? We know that it is a huge nuclear furnace that sends out electrified particles, which a

Voyager to Uranus

The Voyager 2 probe by-passed the planet Uranus on 24 January. Though discovered in 1781, not much had been found out ab

Halley's Comet: The Encounter

Tonight's news from the comet comes as Europe's Giotto spacecraft plunges deep into the glowing dust and gases of its co

The Spring Sky

By spring evenings the brilliant winter constellations have vanished into the twilight, but there is still plenty to see

The Story of Satum

When the planet Saturn was first examined telescopically in 1610, it was believed by Galileo to be a triple world. Patri

Halley - The End of the Tale?

Two months ago the Giotto spacecraft passed through the head of Halley's Comet. It sent back the only close-range pictu

The Summer Sky

This is a favourable time for planetary enthusiasts, as all the bright planets are on view. There are also brilliant sou

The Death of a Star

The southern galaxy Centaurus A is a peculiar system, crossed by a dark dust-lane. In it an Australian amateur astronome

The Innermost Planet

Mercury, the closest planet to the sun, is always difficult to study from earth, but it is at its best in the morning sk

The Furthest Depths of the Universe

Astronomers in Australia have just announced the discovery of the most remote object known to science. It is a quasar -

The Autumn Sky

Autumn skies may be less brilliant than those of other seasons, but there is plenty of interest. In this programme Patri

Cosmic Lawn Sprinkler

The unique object known to astronomers at SS433 looks at first sight like a dim star, but has proved to be as bizarre as

The Galilean Moons

Jupiter is now prominently visible in the evening sky. Any telescope will show it together with its four large satellite

Photographing the Sky

Can you take astronomical photographs with limited equipment? The surprising answer is yes. Though such pictures cannot

The Study of Variable Stars

Studies of variable stars form a very important part of the work of modern amateur astronomers. In this programme, Patri

Stellar Catastrophe

On 24 February a supernova blazed out in the Large Cloud of Magellan, which is the brightest of the external star-system

A Celebration

The Sky at Night is now 30 years old; the first programme was transmitted on 24 April 1957, before the space age began.

Air on Other Worlds

We depend upon our atmosphere, without it, no life on earth could have appeared. Other worlds, too, have atmospheres of

High Moon

The Earth and the Moon travel together round the Sun, but the movements of the Moon itself are not so straightforward as

The William Herschel Telescope

Coming into operation shortly is a telescope that is not only one of the largest in the world, but probably the most acc

The Roof of the World

A great new telescope has just come into operation at the Mauna Kea Observatory in Hawaii, almost 14,000 feet above sea

The Hunt for Planet Ten

Is there a tenth planet? New evidence seems to indicate that there is in fact an extra member of the solar system, movin

The Exploding Star

In February of this year a supernova burst out in a neighbouring galaxy and became visible to the naked eye. It has prov

Jodrell - The Listening Bank

Thirty years after its completion, the most famous radio telescope in the world - the 250 foot 'dish' at Jodrell Bank -

A Telescope for Christmas?

Do you want to own an astronomical telescope? If so, you must take great care before purchasing. Patrick Moore offers a

Where Are the Stars?

What are the exact positions of the stars in the sky? How do they move, and how far away are they? These are the problem

The Winter Sky

At the start of 1987 The Sky at Night asked for amateur astronomical photographers to send in their pictures - either of

The Brilliant Planets

During March, Venus and Jupiter are splendidly placed for observation in the evening sky. Patrick Moore talks about the

Yerkes Observatory

Yerkes Observatory, at Williams Bay near Chicago, is a most unusual place. Its main telescope is not a reflector, but a

The Awakening Sun

The sun is the nearest star; but how much is known about it? Less may be known than was thought a few decades ago; there

Quasars, Redshifts and Controversy

Are quasars remote and super-luminous, or are they comparatively close to our galaxy? Dr Halton C. Arp , formerly of Mou

Planets Revisited

The first successful spacecraft to the planet Venus was sent up more than a quarter of a century ago. Since then most of

The Summer Sky

Can you identify the main star groups? It is by no means difficult - and once you have found your way around, there are

Cosmic Fireworks

Would you like to see a shooting star? August is the best month of the year for meteors; go outdoors on a dark, clear ni

Watch This Space

How 'empty' is space? Astronomers used to think that there was no material between the stars, or between the galaxies; t

Mars in Close-Up

Two Russian space probes are on their way to Mars. Patrick Moore discusses the fascinating red world with Dr Peter Catte

Observing the Autumn Sky

How do you record an astronomical observation? What details should be noted? And what are the important 'dos' and 'don't

Radio Stars

Some stars send out radio waves, though generally they are less powerful than other kinds of radio sources in the sky. T

Close Encounters

There are some asteroids which pass close to the Earth! Patrick Moore talks about these 'close-approach' asteroids to th

Mysteries of the Winter Sky

The winter sky is magnificent, with Orion dominant; this year there are also two of the brilliant planets, Jupiter and M

Icebergs and Crouching Giants

How many star systems or galaxies are there? It now seems that there are many more than has been believed - some of them

Cosmic Lighthouse

Pulsars are among the most bizarre objects in the universe. They are very small, amazingly dense and spinning round rapi

Observing from La Silla

High in the Andes mountains of Chile lies one of the world's major observatories, La Silla, with its 15 telescopes. Con

Exploring the Ultraviolet Sky

The IUE or International Ultraviolet Explorer satellite was launched in 1978. It had an estimated lifespan of three year

Telescopes for the 90s

New generation astronomical telescopes are entirely different from those of the past. They have different types of mount

The Curious Little World of Pluto

Pluto is the smallest of the planets, and also one of the most puzzling. It is so far from the sun that it takes almost

Eclipse of the Moon

The eclipse of the Moon, due on the early morning of 17 August, will be well seen from all over Britain (clouds permitti

Observing from the Atacama

The Atacama Desert of Chile is an exceptionally good site for astronomers; three major observatories have been set up th

Neptune - Voyager's Last Planet

Voyager 2, launched in 1977, has already passed by the giant planets Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus, all of which have provi

The Making of an Astronomer

Do you want to become a professional astronomer? If so, you will need a proper qualification. One of the leading courses

The Bull in the Sky

Patrick Moore talks about Taurus the Bull, one of the most interesting objects in the winter night sky. It contains one

Voyager's Grand Tour

In 1977 Voyager 2, the most ambitious of all space-craft, was launched toward the outer planets. Since then it has surve

Tales of the Unexpected Astronomers

Tales of the Unexpected Astronomers, like other people, can be taken by surprise. Bright comets, new stars, outbreaks on

Window on the Universe

The NTT, or New Technology Telescope, at La Silla in the Atacama Desert of Chile has now come into full operation. It is

Austin's Comet

Brilliant comets have been rare over recent years, but Austin's Comet, now brightening as it moves into the northern par

Leo and Cancer

Two of the zodiacal constellations - Leo (the lion) and Cancer (the crab) - are on view during evenings this month. Both

Brown Dwarves

A Brown Dwarf is like a missing link - not quite a star and yet too big to be a planet. A team including Dr Mike Hawkins

Looking Back in Time

The William Herschel Telescope is the third largest astronomical telescope in the world and one of the most modern. Patr

Our Daylight Star

The sun, our nearest star, is at present at the peak of its cycle of activity and there are many sunspots. These can be

Mission to Titan

Titan is Saturn's largest moon. A new mission, Cassini, is to be launched to it in a few years' time. Patrick Moore is j

The Unveiling of Venus

At the moment the planet Venus is a brilliant object in the east before dawn. It is a world much the same size as the Ea

Europe in Space

A new European space probe, Ulysses, is about to be launched to study the unknown poles of the Sun. Patrick Moore goes t

Armagh's 'Flare' for Astronomy

Armagh Observatory in Northern Ireland is 200 years old. Patrick Moore goes to Armagh on the occasion of the observator

Great Wall and the Great Attractor

rofessor Michael Rowan-Robinson of Queen Mary and Westfield College discusses developments in the study of the Great Wal

ROSA T - a Space Telescope

Radiations of very short wavelength from space cannot reach the Earth because they are blocked by the atmosphere, but th

Mars - the Red Planet

Looking like a bright red star, Mars can be seen clearly in the south-west sky after dark. It has been studied since pre

The Fastest Clocks in the Universe

Patrick Moore and Professor Andrew Lyne of Jodrell Bank investigate millisecond pulsars, the spinning remains of explode

Jupiter and Family

Patrick Moore explains the new insight into Jupiter provided by the Pioneer and Voyager spacecraft.

Bombardment from Space

Cosmic rays are not rays at all, but high-speed particles from space which bombard the earth from all directions all the

Wanderers in Space

Patrick Moore talks to comet expert Dr Donald Yeomans.

Guarding Their Secrets

Dr Ian McHardy , of Southampton University, joins Patrick Moore to give the latest on BL Lacertae, the object found in t

Saturn the Ringed Planet

Patrick Moore explains what can be seen of Saturn, the ringed planet, now well in view during the hours of darkness, rat

Soviet Space Astronomy

Patrick Moore visits Baikonur, the site from which all the important Soviet space missions have been launched and until

The Pole Star

Polaris is probably the most famous star in the night sky and has been of tremendous value to navigators through the age

Galaxy in Creation?

Astronomers have found what seems to be the most luminous object known in the universe. It is 16,000 million light years

Hubble Space Telescope

Although the Hubble Space Telescope is sometimes regarded as a failure, it is making significant discoveries. Patrick Mo

Nothing But Blue Skies

The Strangest Planet

Patrick Moore reports on the remarkable discovery of planet moving around a neutron star. He is joined by the astronomer

The Keck Reflector

Patrick Moore visits the world's most powerful telescope, the Keck reflector, now being constructed on top of Mauna Kea

Sky-Watcher

It is not necessary to have a large telescope in order to take a real interest in the night sky. Binoculars will show a

Asteroids

Patrick Moore finds out more about asteroids, the minor planets which are junior members of the Sun's family.

Shooting the Stars

At the Anglo-Australian Observatory in New South Wales, Dr David Malin has developed new techniques for photographing th

Space for Astronomy

An anniversary edition to celebrate the first transmission of The Sky at Night35 years ago. A newcomer to television the

The Astronomer Royal

Professor Arnold Wolfendale, joins Patrick Moore to discuss the latest information received from the Cosmic Background E

Our Outer Giants

A look at the outer giant planets, Uranus and Neptune. The Voyager probe missions that by-passed Uranus in 1986 and Nept

Comets a Second View

The Giotto spacecraft encountered Halley's Comet in 1986 and escaped. The same craft recently made close-range studies o

The First Telescope

It is usually accepted that the first telescope was made in 1608. But new evidence shows that the first reflector was ma

The Great Spiral

Patrick Moore studies the Great Spiral in Andromeda, a galaxy containing more than 100,000 million stars.

Venus - A New View

Dr David Allen joins Patrick Moore to describe research aimed at showing surface details of the planet Venus.

Six Into One Will Go

Patrick Moore sees how the multiple mirror telescope in Arizona is to be changed.

Glitch in the System

Professor Sir Francis Graham-Smith , the former Astronomer Royal, joins Patrick Moore to discuss the latest findings abo

Episode 1

Patrick Moore surveys Orion the Hunter, and then Mars and Venus - two bright inner planets.

Radio Watchers

Patrick Moore visits the world's most powerful radio observatories and talks to the astronomers who make the radio pictu

How the Universe Began

Patrick Moore discusses the latest findings on how the universe began.

Cambridge Telescope

Patrick Moore explains the significance of a new telescope jointly planned by Cambridge University and the Harvard Obser

Town Astronomy

Patrick Moore explains that there is much for the amateur astronomer to see.

Star Death

Dr Robin Catchpole of the Royal Greenwich Observatory joins Patrick Moore to talk about supernova - the most tremendous

A Star and its Costar

Patrick Moore reports from Baltimore on the Hubble Space Telescope.

Planetary Nebulae

Dr Chris Kitchin joins Patrick Moore to explain what the so-called planetary nebulae are.

Swarm around the Solar System

Patrick Moore discusses newly found bodies in orbit around the sun and asks whether the planetary system could be more e

Merlin - The Radio Wizard

Patrick Moore talks to Prof Richard Davis of Jodrell Bank about his current work with the Lovell radio telescope.

Tubes of Light

Patrick Moore is joined by Fred Watson, of the Royal Greenwich Observatory, who has been developing fibre optics for ast

Aerial Display

Patrick Moore looks at Taunton School's radio telescope.

Galactic Dustbins

Patrick Moore is joined by Dr Jocelyn Bell-Burnell for the latest news about black holes.

Cosmic Charioteer

Auriga is one of the most prominent of all the constellations of the northern sky. Patrick Moore explains what can be se

What's in a Name?

Celestial names, discussed by Patrick Moore.

Return to the Moon

Patrick Moore and Drjohn Mason report on the American lunar probe Clementine.

Studies of the Southern Sky

Patrick Moore talks to astronomers carrying out research in Australia.

Celestial Hide and Seek

There will be a partial eclipse of the sun on 10 May and of the moon on 25 May. Patrick Moore and H.J.P. Arnold explain

The Royal Observatory Edinburgh

Patrick Moore explains the role of the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, 100 years after it was established.

Swan's Nest

Patrick Moore investigates evidence for the existence of black holes - collapsed stars whose gravitational field is so s

Target Jupiter

Earlier this month, the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 impacted on Jupiter and was destroyed. Patrick Moore reports on the event

Radio Network Australia

Australia has become a major centre for radio astronomy. The 210-foot dish at Parkes, New South Wales has been in contin

The Autumn Sky

What to look for in the autumn evening sky. With Patrick Moore.

Lenses in the Universe

Professor Richard Ellis of Cambridge University joins Patrick Moore in a programme focusing on gravitational lenses.

Planets around Pulsars

Dr Paul Murdin talks to Patrick Moore.

A Year In The Life of Hubble

Patrick Moore is joined by Professor Alec Boksenberg to review a successful year for the Hubble Space Telescope.

The Youthful Universe?

New results from the Hubble Space Telescope reveal a fascinating and unexpected puzzle surrounding the age of the univer

Belt Round the Sun

Professor Iwan Williams of Queen Mary and Westfield College joins Patrick Moore to examine some recently discovered litt

Onward to Mars

The planet Mars is now prominent in the evening sky, and a telescope can show its red dust deserts. Presented by Patrick

Spring in the Sky

To mark his 500th appearance presenting the show, Patrick Moore gives an enthusiastic tour of the night sky. He surveys

Star Cradles

Dr Chris Kitchin of the University of Hertfordshire, joins Patrick Moore to discuss how stars are born.

Edge on Saturn

For the first time in 15 years Saturn's rings are facing edgewise on to the Earth. Dr. Carl Murray joins Patrick Moore t

The Flying Observatory

Patrick Moore takes part in a flight aboard the Kuiper Airborne Observatory.

Comet Crash Update

Dr Steven Millerjoins Patrick Moore to summarise the full analysed results of the comet Shoemaker-Levy's collision with

Is Anyone Out There?

It is now a commonly held belief that mankind is the sole advanced form of life in the solar system. But there are so ma

The Far Planets

Patrick Moore with news of Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.

Fibres of Light

Dr Russell Cannon talks with Patrick Moore about the Anglo-Australian Observatory telescope's new facility.

Fireworks Night

Dr John Mason talks to Patrick Moore about the Leonids, seasonal meteor showers which this year are predicted to be abun

Mission To Jupiter

The Galileo probe to Jupiter is now due to send back information on the giant planet. Professor Garry Hunt joins Patrick

The Night Sky in Winter

A tour of the winter night sky, with Patrick Moore.

What's the Matter between the Stars?

A look at the material which lies between stars. With Patrick Moore.

News from Space

Patrick Moore is joined by Dr Paul Murdin to discuss this year's new developments.

March Comet

Comet Hyakutake should be visible in the evenings at the end of the month. With Patrick Moore.

Exploding Stars

Prof Michael Bode joins Patrick Moore to discuss novas.

The End of the Universe

How might the universe die? With Patrick Moore.

The Lives of the Galaxies

How much do galaxies change as they grow older? Patrick Moore finds out.

Hydrogen Hunters

Dr Alan Wright joins Patrick Moore to explain the purpose of a survey into the most plentiful substance in the universe.

A Tale of Three Planets

News from Jupiter and Saturn, plus the first maps of Pluto obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope. With Patrick Moore.

Cool Stars Matter

Iras (the Infrared Astronomical Satellite), which operated for much of 1983, provided a great deal of information on asp

Hunt The Planet

Patrick Moore tells the story of the race to discover Neptune 150 years ago.

Star Remains

Dr Chris Kitchin of the University of Hertfordshire Observatory and Patrick Moore discuss supernovas.

Target - the Red Planet.

Dr Peter Cattermole , one of Nasa's principal scientific investigators, joins Patrick Mooreto describe findings on Mars.

Galileo at Jupiter

Professor Garry Hunt gives Patrick Moore the latest news received from the spacecraft Galileo.

The Centre of the Galaxy

Patrick Moore is joined by Professor Glenn White of Queen Mary and Westfield College to examine the centre of the Galaxy

The Quasar Chasers

Dr Jasper Wall of the Royal Greenwich Observatory joins Patrick Moore for a discussion of what quasars have to say about

Zodiacal Light

The zodiacal light is a cone-shaped glow that rises from the horizon after sunset or before sunrise. Dr John James joins

Eyes on the Universe

For the 40th anniversary of The Sky at Night, Patrick Moore is joined by some of the world's leading astronomers to trac

The Great Comet of 97

Dr John Mason talks to Patrick Moore about the interest in Hale-Bopp.

Roving on Mars

Planetary geologist Dr Peter Cattermole gives Patrick Moore the latest news on Nasa's Pathfinder.

Planets on View

Patrick Moore explains what small telescopes will reveal on the bright planets now visible at night, and Dr Peter Catter

Hipparcos-Star Plotter

A look at the work and significance of the Earth satellite Hipparcos.

Saturn Visitor

A new probe is being launched toward Titan, Saturn's largest satellite.

Instruments of Change

Patrick Moore examines powerful new equipment that is revolutionising astronomy.

Star Qualities

Patrick Moore explains why the stars differ from each other in colour.

Diamonds in the Sky

White Dwarf stars have used up their "nuclear fuel" and are so dense that a mere cupful would weigh tons. Patrick Moore

Ring of Moons

Patrick Moore describes the family of moons belonging to the planet Saturn.

The Art of Deep Space

Leading astronomical photographer Dr David Malin joins Patrick Moore.

The Total Experience

Patrick Moore describes the total eclipse of the sun that he witnessed in the Caribbean on 26 February.

A Cold View of Space

Patrick Moore assesses new research about infra-red radiation in space.

The Sky with Chips

Amateur astronomers can now undertake important research by using charge-coupled devices (CCDs) with a moderate-sized te

Planets of Other Suns

Patrick Moore and DrJohn Mason discuss the possible existence of extra-solar planets.

The Sun Awakens

lain Nicolson and Patrick Moore discuss the Sun's activity cycle.

The UK Schmidt - the First Quarter Century

Dr Russell Cannon, former Director of the Anglo-Australian Observatory, joins Patrick Moore to discuss the results of th

Flaring Stars

A bright starthat flares up where no naked-eye star has been seen before is termed a "nova". But a nova is not really ne

The Flying Horse of Autumn

Patrick Moore talks about the chief autumn constellation, Pegasus, the Flying Horse.

Cosmic Fireworks

The Leonid meteors of 17 November are rarely predictable, but as Dr John Mason explains to Patrick Moore , there is a ch

The Royal Greenwich Observatory - 1675-1998

Patrick Moore is joined by Dr Jasper Wall, the last Director of the Royal Greenwich Observatory.

Timekeeping by Starlight

Patrick Moore is joined by Dr Allan Chapman to see how to use the stars to tell the time. and looks forward to events du

Is There Anybody Out There?

Patrick Moore presents the latest news on attempts to pick up radio messages from other worlds, with Ian Morison, co-ord

Looking for Trouble

British Astronomical Association president Martin Mobberley describes the work of asteroid hunters to Patrick Moore.

As Stars Grow Old

A look at what happens when a star dies

Seeing Red

Mars, now on view in the evening sky, is a world of craters, valleys, plains and huge volcanoes. The space probe Mars Gl

The Summer Sky

Patrick Moore conducts a "tour" of the evening sky in summer, and takes a preliminary look at the total eclipse of the S

Capturing the Sun

Many people will go to the West Country to see the total eclipse of the Sun on 11 August. Douglas Arnold joins Patrick M

When the Moon Hides the Sun

Astronomer and Queen guitarist Brian May joins Patrick Moore to discuss what people will be able to see during the total

Countdown to the Eclipse

Dr Peter Cattermole and lain Nicolson join Patrick Moore to discuss Wednesday's total solar eclipse and how to observe i

The Eclipse from Cornwall

Patrick Moore and guests look at the results of last week's eclipse, aided by pictures from a variety of observing sites

Autumn Skies

Patrick Moore takes a final look at last month's eclipse. Plus what to look for in the autumn skies.

There's No Escape

lain Nicolson joins Patrick Moore to discuss the fascinating phenomenon of black holes.

A Night To Remember

Patrick Moore and Dr John Mason discuss the Leonid meteors - and the spectacle they might provide during November.

A Telescope for Christmas

Patrick Moore advises on how to choose a telescope.

Millennium Astronomy

Dr Allan Chapman discusses with Patrick Moore the development of astronomy over the last 1,000 years.

A Glimpse of a New World

Dr Alan Penny joins Patrick Moore to discuss the discovery of a vast planet orbiting a star 55 light years away.

Two of a Kind

Professor Chris Kitchin joins Patrick Moore to discuss the tendency of stars to be members of pairs.

X-ray Vision

Professor Martin joins Patrick Moore to give the news on the latest x-ray mission, the Newton satellite.

A Massing of Planets

In May several planets will line up, which has not happened since the 1930s. Patrick Moore and Dr John Mason discuss thi

The Moon in Focus

Patrick Moore discusses the signs of very mild activity that occasionally appear on the moon.

Dr. Caldwell's Catalogue

Patrick Moore runs through his Caldwell Catalogue naming his top ten favourite star clusters, galaxies and nebulae.

Back to Basics

Astronomy has its own language, and some of the terms are unfamiliar in ordinary conversation. In this programme, the fi

Back to Basics - Into Deep Space

In the previous programme, Patrick Moore and Chris Lintott discussed some of the often unfamiliar terms used by astronom

Wimps and Machos

Patrick Moore is joined by lain Nicolson to give the latest news on the problem of "dark matter".

The Darkness of the Universe

Patrick Moore and lain Nicolson look at how massive bodies, theoretical particles and the concept of dark energy may all

Worlds Apart

Patrick Moore is joined by Dr Alan Penny of the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory to discuss Project Darwin, designed to ex

An Astronaut's View

Nasa astronaut Dr Jeffrey Hoffman describes the experience of stargazing in outer space.

Genesis - Earth and Moon

As a new millennium begins we take a look at how our Earth and Moon came to be. Patrick Moore is joined by Professor Chr

Cassini: Next Stop Saturn

On December 30 2000, the Cassini-Huygens space probe sailed past Jupiter, its last fly-by before arriving at Saturn and

A New View of Mars

For the last two years, NASA's Mars Global Surveyor has been sending back exciting new pictures of the red planet. The s

Pictures from the Red Planet

Meet the Neighbours

Could life exist elsewhere in our Solar System? This question has long been asked, but our understanding of our cosmic n

Eye Spy...

Patrick Moore visits one of the UK's newest and most exciting observatories, The Crendon Observatory, where Gordon Roger

Our Star

The Sun has been in the news again, it is at the peak of its 11 year cycle of activity and there have been large solar f

Crash and Burn

The Earth is constantly bombarded by small fragments of space debris, but somewhere in the Solar System a sizeable aster

Great Balls of Fire

Patrick Moore continues his discussion with Jay Tate and Lembit Opik about the threat to the Earth from a Potentially Ha

Evolving Universe: Beginnings

Patrick Moore is joined by Chris Lintott for a back-to-basics explanation of cosmology. Do current theories explain the

Evolving Universe: Modern Views

In the second of two programmes on cosmology, Patrick Moore and Chris Lintott look at the latest theories on inflation,

The Lion's Storm

he dark, moonless sky of mid November may be filled by a spectacular storm of shooting stars as this year's Leonid meteo

The Star of Bethlehem

When Venus is brilliant, the question is often asked: can Venus have been the Star of Bethlehem? The answer is certainly

The Signature for Life

The search for life on Mars continues with ever more space-probes examining the red planet. Patrick Moore is joined by D

Galactic Whirlpools

In the depths of space there are giant tornadoes of cold, dusty gas and galactic whirlpools containing thousands of mill

A Tale of Two Bears

Perhaps the most familiar constellation in the night sky is Ursa Major: The Great Bear. In this programme, Patrick Moore

Twelve Men on the Moon

Patrick Moore is joined by Douglas Arnold to dispel suggestions that the Apollo Moon landings were fake, and convince us

Forty-Five Years of Star-Gazing

When the Space Age began with the launch of Sputnik in 1957, our view of the universe was very different. The far side o

Southern Eyes

Patrick Moore is joined by Professor Fred Watson from the Anglo-Australian Observatory to view some of the wonderful ima

The Birth and Death of the Universe

In this historic interview Patrick Moore talks to Professor Stephen Hawking about his cosmological theories and finds ou

Stars in Your Eyes

Patrick Moore visits Britain's newest planetarium at Chichester, where the wonders of the cosmos can be observed night a

Apocalyptic Asteroid

Long-running astronomy programme. Patrick Moore talks to Dr Duncan Steel about the threat of near earth objects.

The Long Wave

Britain's foremost radio astronomy observatory at Jodrell Bank celebrates its 45th anniversary this year. Patrick Moore

Picture Perfect

Photographing the night sky and capturing astronomical events is skilful, challenging, and requires lots of patience. Pa

Radio Revolution

In the second of this two-part special from Jodrell Bank, the Sky at Night explores the future of radio astronomy. Over

A Royal Celebration

In the 600th edition of The Sky at Night, Sir Patrick Moore will be interviewing special guest, Astronomer Royal Sir Mar

Hot Stuff

Patrick Moore heats up when he discusses our nearest star, the Sun, with guest Iain Nicolson. There is also a report fro

Astro Art

Artists for the past 100 years have visualised and drawn how they imagine our Solar System and Universe look. NASA scien

The Hidden Universe

We don't know what it is, we can't see it and yet staggeringly it makes up 90% of our Universe. For astrophysicists, dar

Life on Mars

Patrick Moore talks to Professor Colin Pillinger about the British lander craft Beagle 2, which will be sent to Mars in

The Shadow

With three astronomical events that can all be witnessed from Britain, Patrick Moore previews the transit of Mercury, lu

Highland Ring

Patrick Moore reports from North Scotland on the last month's annular eclipse, lunar eclipse and transit of Mercury. Als

Space Scouts

Patrick Moore looks at how probes and satellites that are sent into space might find answers to questions about the Univ

Mars: The Next Frontier

This is the year of the Red Planet, when Mars will be at its closest to Earth. Withthree probes on their way to Mars, du

Out of the Dark Ages

Professor Carlos Frenk talks to Patrick Moore about the evolution of galaxies from the cosmic dark ages to the current d

SMART Way to the Moon

In a new era of space discovery, Europe sends its first rocket to the Moon. With a revolutionary ion engine and pioneeri

Jupiter and Galileo

A month after the spacecraft Galileo plunged into Jupiter's atmosphere, ending one of the most successful missions of al

Cosmic Wanderers

Long-running astronomy programme. Patrick Moore discusses the unpredictability of comets with astronomer Dr Mark Kidger.

Music of the Spheres

The Universe has its own heavenly sounds, such as pulsars, panetary magnetospheres and solar winds. Patrick Moore explor

Roving on Mars

Patrick Moore talks about the latest news from the NASA Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity, and the European spacecraft

Cosmic Vision

Patrick Moore talks to Professor David Southwood about Europe's space missions. Plus, the latest from Mars with Chris Li

Digging for Dark Matter

Scientists are searching for the elusive dark matter 1300 meters below ground. Without it, galaxies would fly apart and

Star Birth

From the galactic maternity wards of clouds and dust we call nebulae, stars emerge. Yet little is know about this cosmic

Transit of Venus

On the morning of the 8 June 2004, the planet Venus passes in front of the Sun, a once in a lifetime event. This rare oc

Moons of Saturn

After a seven year journey the European and American spacecraft Cassini finally reaches Saturn. In the first of this two

Cassini at Saturn

After just a month orbiting Saturn, the spacecraft Cassini has sent back stunning images and amazing results. Patrick Mo

Roboscope

Responding to signals from space, new robotic telescopes are able to observe the first flashes of the Universe's most de

Planet Quest

Patrick Moore and Chris Lintott give a monthly guide to the night sky. They look at the constellation of Pegasus and the

Star Death

Planetary nebulae are beautiful to look at whether through a back garden telescope or as a Hubble picture. Patrick Moore

Wide Eyed

In this special, Patrick Moore finds out about how the world's largest telescope in Chile is unlocking the secrets to ou

Lord of the Rings

The American and European spacecraft Cassini has been at Saturn now for six months. It has sent back fabulous images of

Unveiling Titan

We have seen the surface of Titan, Saturn's moon and one of the most mysterious solar system bodies. Patrick Moore talks

Strangers in the Night

Comets are thought to come from the Kuiper Belt beyond Pluto and the Oort Cloud at the very edge of our solar system. Li

Star Party

For the first time ever, Sir Patrick Moore has hosted a star party at his house in Selsey. Over two nights, amateur astr

Eye on the Universe

In its 15 years, the Hubble Space Telescope has revolutionised astronomy with it's amazing insight into our Universe. Pa

The Shocking Sun

Sun spots and solar flares release high energy particles and radiation that can damage satellites and telecommunications

Deep Impact

NASA are sending a probe into the comet 9P/ Tempel-1, early on the morning of 4 July 2005. This is a unique event, from

Fallout From Deep Impact

On 4 July NASA hopes to send an impactor into the comet 9P/Tempel-1. Patrick Moore talks to the world's leading comet ex

The Search for Life

The search for life elsewhere in our Universe has long been the Holy Grail for astronomers. Planets around distant stars

A Journey through Space and Time

Neil Armstrong, Albert Einstein and Orville Wright are among the people Patrick Moore has met. He looks back on five dec

Mapping The Universe

Man is scanning the night sky and counting stars, galaxies and other solar bodies. Patrick Moore discusses two of the mo

The Planets

Its been an incredible year for the planets, with amazing discoveries and startling new insights into our Solar System.

Mars and the Ring of Fire

Mars is almost as close as it can get to Earth and better placed than it will be for many years. Patrick Moore throws a

Celestial Zoo

Our Sun is an ordinary star, but the celestial zoo contains stars as small as the Earth and others which are tens of tho

Journey to the Edge

In and exclusive interview for The Sky at Night, Patrick Moore talks to Mike A'Hearn, the NASA scientist behind the spec

On Top of the World

The volcanic mountain of Mauna Kea in Hawaii is home to some of the world's best astronomical obvervatories. At 14,000 f

Mapping the Moon

Patrick Moore presents a guide to the most familiar body in the night sky, whilst Chris Lintott gives tips on how to obs

The Loveliest Planet

Tips on finding Saturn; Patrick talks to Prof John Zarnecki about the latest from the Cassini mission.

A Spin Around the Sun

Patrick Moore offers advice on how to observe the sun and its many brilliant features. Chris Lintott demonstrates how to

Turkish Delight

A total eclipse of the Sun is a magnificent event. On 29 March 2006, Chris Lintott hopes to experience a Turkish delight

Glorious Galaxies

Look into the night sky and even with the naked eye you can pick out our nearest galactic neighbour, Andromeda, just one

Bangs in the Night

The biggest and most powerful explosions in the Universe are gamma ray bursts. With the launch of the spacecraft Swift,

Wandering Giants

Out of chas came order, as from the dust and gas of the very early Solar System emerged the gas giants. Four billion yea

Return to the Red Planet

Britain is going back to Mars onboard the European ExoMars mission. UK scientists have a key role designing and building

The Sun and Moon

SMART-1 project scientist Bernard Foing on the spacecraft's pioneering technology; Chris looks at the STEREO and Solar-B

Autumn Sky

What to look for over the next few months; Lucie Green visits the Autumn Equinox star party at Kelling Heath; Chris talk

The Evil Twin

The latest findings of Venus Express, currently scrutinising Earth's 'evil twin' Venus, known for its searing temperatur

The Sounds of Stars

Patrick finds out how scientists are making sounds and music from the changes within stars. Chris Lintott looks at varia

Spaceman

British astronaut Piers Sellers on orbiting the Earth and the future of the manned space programme; NASA's upcoming Hubb

Martian Adventures

Celebrating the success of Martian rovers Spirit and Opportunity; NASA's Phoenix mission; Lucie Green visits the ExoMars

Stunning Saturn

Chris shows us how to see Saturn with a small telescope, while Patrick finds out the latest from the Cassini mission cur

Time Lord - 50Th Anniversary

Celebrating 50 years of The Sky at Night, Patrick 'travelled' back to the show's first ever recording in 1957. The episo

50Th Anniversary - Birthday Party

The Sky at Night 50th birthday party. Patrick reflects on how astronomy has changed over the last half century, with amu

Home from Home

Patrick learns more about the exciting discovery of a planet that seems similar to Earth.

Sting in the Tail

Patrick looks at the summer constellation Scorpius, and the black hole lurking at the centre of the Galaxy.

Robonet

A look at Robonet, the robotic network of telescopes spanning the globe, able to react to cosmic phenomena such as gamma

Black Holes and Black Magic

Patrick uses magic to explain the mysteries of the Universe.

Jodrell Bank at 50

A look back at the completion of the world's largest steerable radio telescope in 1957, just in time to pick up the sign

The Grand Collision

Patrick anticipates the cataclysmic day, in two billion years, when our Milky Way will collide with Andromeda, and the r

Meteor Mania

In his garden, Patrick Moore is joined by Dr Brian May and Jon Culshaw to watch the cosmic firework display known as the

Sputniks Children

Dr Chris Lintott finds out how British technology is leading the way in satellite science, while Sir Patrick Moore inves

Last Man on the Moon

On 14th December 1972, Captain Eugene Cernan left the Moon to return to Earth. He had no idea that, 25 years later, he w

Cosmic Debris

The Earth is bombarded by extra terrestrial material every day, but what is this cosmic debris? Sir Patrick Moore invest

Messenger to Mercury

Star-gazing documentary series. Mercury is a world of extremes and enigmas - the closest one to the Sun. The spacecraft

Return to the Moon

With a new era of lunar exploration dawning as more probes are launched to try to unlock the Moon's darkest secrets, Pat

The Sun Revealed

It's the start of a new solar cycle, and the spacecraft Ulysses faces retirement, but solar missions Stereo and SOHO are

We Just Don't Know

Astronomy. Sir Patrick Moore celebrates the 666th edition of the programme by asking cosmologists exactly how much we kn

Battle of the Giants

As NASA, along with the European Space Agency, plan a return mission to either Jupiter or Saturn, two prominent astronom

Rise of the Phoenix

The NASA mission Phoenix has been on Mars a month and already there are images of the frozen ice caps, never before seen

Double Vision

The Large Binocular Telescope in Arizona promises a revolutionary way to look at the night sky. The light from its two e

Galaxy Zoo

Sir Patrick Moore looks at the results of the Galaxy Zoo project, a website which sorts the galaxies of the Universe int

Astral Autumn

Sir Patrick Moore hosts an autumn equinox party in his garden and talks to Dr John Mason about what to look for in the n

Big Bangs

The world of astronomy. Gamma ray bursts are some of the largest explosions in the universe, and Sir Patrick Moore disco

Other Worlds

Patrick Moore wonders if there is life beyond Earth, while Chris Lintott spends the night with the giant Keck Telescope

Light Fantastic

Sir Patrick Moore charts the development of the telescope over four centuries and fasts forward to meet the astronaut wh

The Merry Dancers

In an edition focusing on the aurora borealis, Chris Lintott travels to a radar facility in northern Norway to discover

The Fountains of Enceladus

Saturn's mysterious moon Enceladus has startled astronomers with its amazing ice geysers, which spew out material into s

Herschel in the Red

Patrick Moore discusses what Herschel, Europe's biggest and most expensive space satellite, will do once it begins its i

Close Encounters

Every day, asteroids whiz past the Earth on their journey through space. Sir Patrick Moore discusses the chances of a cl

Neighbourhood Watch

Containing trillions of stars, Andromeda is the largest galaxy in our neighbourhood. It is 2.5 million light years away,

Apollo 11: A Night to Remember

Using archive sound, satellite footage and film taken by the astronauts, Patrick Moore presents the story of mankind's f

The Apollo Miracle

The 29th July 1969 witnessed one of the greatest triumphs in human exploration when man stepped on the moon. Forty years

Coronas of the Sun

Sir Patrick Moore, with the help of Pete Lawrence and the latest pictures, investigates the longest total eclipse of the

Jupiter Rising

In July 2009, a mysterious large object crashed into Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, leaving behind a s

The Great Observatories

Following the Hubble space telescope's overhaul, Sir Patrick Moore and Chris Lintott examine its latest findings and the

Lunar Impact

Observers now know there is water on the Moon, but how much? NASA's new LCROSS probe into the lunar surface will find ou

Exploring Mars

For centuries, astronomers, writers and philosophers have speculated about life on the planet Mars, but we have learned

The Winter Sky

Winter is approaching, and with longer nights, it is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the wonders of the night

Episode 15

Episode 16

Twinkle Twinkle

January provides the perfect opportunity to observe stars, planets and galaxies. Sir Patrick Moore takes us on a tour o

The Spirit of Mars

Mars is the brightest thing in the sky and is at its closest to Earth for the next four years. With NASA announcing that

Life

Half a century ago, scientists were speculating about the possibility of planets outside our solar system. Since then ov

The Sun in Splendour

We can never see our nearest star at night, only by day. Looking at it directly will blind us - because our nearest star

Ring World

Saturn is one of the largest planets and the beautiful system of rings surrounding it makes it the most distinctive in t

Star Birth

The many star-forming areas of our galaxy are obscured by interstellar dust, but Herschel, a new space telescope, can se

The Universe from Atlantis

The Space Shuttle Atlantis has returned from its final flight to the International Space Station. With the shuttle fleet

Monster Star

The team look at the discovery of the brightest and most massive star to date.

Events on Jupiter

In July 2009 a large object crashed into Jupiter, and in May 2010 one of the most prominent features of the planet, the

Light Echoes

Light echoes are reflections of light from distant objects in space. But what do they look like and how can they best be

Ghostly Travellers

Comets are strange and exotic objects, the remnants from dead stars and the birth pangs of our solar system. Only a hand

The Great Bear

Ursa Major, the Great Bear, is a rich source of galaxies, double and variable stars and the Hubble Deep Field, through w

Volcanoes of the Solar System

The planets and moons of our solar system are covered in volcanoes, some billions of years old and seven times the heigh

Orion the Hunter

The great winter constellation of Orion is easily visible, with its ruby red star Betelgeuse and distinctive shape. It i

700 Not Out

Sir Patrick Moore celebrates the 700th episode of The Sky at Night at his home in Sussex, with the help of special guest

Double Star Party

Sir Patrick Moore joins an unlikely star party in the heart of London, where enthusiastic astronomers are cutting throug

Storm Chasing

In the atmosphere of Saturn there is a gigantic storm, which is bigger than Earth itself. This month Sir Patrick Moore l

Cygnus the Swan

The summer constellation of Cygnus will soon be flying overhead in our night sky. With its rich array of nebulae and sta

The Stars Indoors

Sir Patrick Moore visits the South Downs Planetarium and discovers how the stars appeared to the ancient Egyptians, whil

Dawn at Vesta

The NASA spacecraft Dawn is getting up close and personal with the asteroid Vesta. Sir Patrick Moore discusses the first

Final Frontier

The future of manned space flight is entering an uncertain phase, with our once vivid dreams of returning to the Moon an

Pegasus and Andromeda

Two of the great autumn constellations of Andromeda and Pegasus will soon be gracing our night skies. The maiden Androme

Curious about Mars

As Mars returns to our night skies, Sir Patrick Moore discusses its four faces. Dr Chris Lintott travels to a world gath

Outer Limits

The outer limits of the solar system are a dark, cold and mysterious place, which only the Voyager spacecraft have visit

Other Solar Systems

We now know there are other solar systems far away in space, but are they like ours and is there life on these strange w

Age of the Infrared

Space telescopes such as Herschel and Spitzer are peering at the dusty, dark cosmos and with their infrared eyes they ca

Citizen Astronomy

A look at how amateur astronomers can help in the quest for knowledge of the cosmos.

Warp Factor 55

Have you ever dreamed of travelling through space? Sir Patrick Moore takes us on an epic journey to the ends of our know

Moore's Marathon

The Sky at Night celebrates 55 years with the second of its special programmes. Sir Patrick picked out 55 objects in the

Juice

A European mission called JUICE has been announced which will visit Jupiter and its fascinating moons Europa, Callisto a

Venus and the Midnight Sun

The Sky at Night travels to the Arctic Circle and the archipelago of Svalbard to see the transit of Venus. This astronom

Home-grown Observatories

Up and down the country amateur astronomers are out in their back-garden observatories looking at stars, galaxies and ne

Curiosity at Mars

The NASA rover, Curiosity, the size of a small car and nuclear-powered, landed on Mars in August and took its first view

Moore Winter Marathon

Sir Patrick Moore selects celestial objects to observe in the winter night sky and challenges viewers to spot as many as

The Story of Stuff

Sir Patrick Moore, Dr Chris Lintott and Dr Chris North find out what the universe is made of, from the 'dark matter' tha

Mercury and the Moon

The tiny planet Mercury is in the morning sky and Sir Patrick Moore talks about the latest news from Messenger, the spac

Reaching for the Stars

For more than half a century Sir Patrick Moore encouraged people to look up at the wonders of the night skies. Fittingly

The Sun King

The team are at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, to see how the sun affects our planet.

Moore Winter Marathon Results

There are amazing astronomical objects to see in the winter night sky, and Sir Patrick Moore chose a few of them for his

They Fall to Earth

Meteorites regularly hit Earth, although most go undetected. Occasionally a big meteorite collides with Earth and when i

Stunning Saturn

Saturn is in our evening skies, and in any telescope looks a stunner. Lucie Green and Chris Lintott investigate the stor

Lives of the Stars

Stars are full of variety - they can be big or little, bright or dim. Our sun is right in the middle - Mr Average - but

Solstice

Every year thousands flock to Stonehenge to celebrate the summer solstice. Seeing the rise of the summer sun at Stonehen

Exploring Mars

It's a golden era of exploration on Mars, with Nasa's space rover Curiosity finding out new and exciting things about th

Fatal Attraction

Black holes are the beating heart of galaxies. It seems that they are pivotal in their evolution, but they also have a d

Space Surgery Special

The team go camping at the Brecon Beacons star party and answer problems and queries about what to see in the night sky

Moore Moon Marathon

The moon is a most familiar sight in our sky - it is the astronomer's friend and was Sir Patrick Moore's favourite objec

Comet Chasing

Astronomers always get excited about comets and in December they are looking forward to something rather special. The sn

Jupiter: Weather and Moons

The revamped team look at Jupiter's coloured bands and iconic 'eye', visible manifestations of a violent atmosphere that

Sounds of the Universe

The Sky at Night team listens to the sounds of the cosmos. Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Chris Lintott explore how sound can

Mysterious Mars

Mars captures the imagination like no other planet and currently our nearest neighbour is at its brightest for several y

How Gravity Shapes the Universe

The universe is filled with spectacular objects, from gloriously-coloured nebulae to the swirling motion of a billion st

Impacts

The team looks at the cosmic impacts which have shaped the universe around us, from asteroids crashing into the surface

The Brightest Star

The team explore stargazing in the daytime, show how seasons change on other planets across the solar system and examine

How to Catch a Comet

The team goes behind the scenes at mission control for the critical point of the most ambitious space project of the dec

The Hunt for ET

Are we alone? Geneticist Dr Adam Rutherford seeks to define what life is and Maggie Aderin-Pocock explores our chances o

Ice Giants

The vast frozen worlds of Uranus and Neptune are the most enigmatic and mysterious planets in the solar system. From the

Rosetta: A Sky at Night Special

It is one of the most extraordinary space adventures in a generation - to land a spacecraft on a comet. The European Sp

The Pillars of Creation

Perhaps no object in the night sky conjures up a greater sense of awe and wonder than a nebula. These vast clouds of dus

The Billion Pixel Camera

The Milky Way, our galaxy, is a magnificent sight in the night sky, but we know surprisingly little about it for certain

What Have UFOs Done for Us?

From unexplained flashes in the night sky to flying saucers, this episode delves into the mysterious world of UFOs. How

Hubble: The Five Greatest Images of the Cosmos

For 25 years the Hubble Space Telescope has been showing us the cosmos as we've never seen it before. The team reveals t

Venus, Earth's Twin

The team explores our nearest neighbour Venus, discovering how it formed and how ESA's Venus Express spacecraft has reve

Rosetta Update - A Comet's Story

With the exciting news that the Philae lander had woken up on comet 67P, Sky at Night reveals the latest results from th

Pluto Revealed

Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Chris Lintott present the inside story of NASA's groundbreaking visit to Pluto. This is the fir

Cosmic Blasts

The Sky at Night team look at cosmic explosions. They explore the beautiful but potentially deadly outbursts of our very

Playing With a Clockwork Universe

The team looks at the dynamic nature of the universe, winding its timeline backwards and forwards to reveal how the nigh

Volcanoes of the Solar System

We think of volcanoes as some of the most powerful natural phenomena on earth - but they are nothing compared to the vol

Second Earth?

As we close in on the discovery of the 2,000th planet outside our solar system, or exoplanet, the Sky at Night investiga

The Real Star of Bethlehem: A Christmas Special

Astronomers have been fascinated by the idea of the Star of Bethlehem for centuries. Did it exist? And if so, what was i

Planet 9 From Outer Space

On January 20 2016, two American astronomers made an extraordinary claim - they had found evidence for a ninth planet in

Five Greatest Images of the Solar System

For 50 years we have been sending probes to gather close-up images of the other planets and moons of the solar system. T

Stephen Hawking on Black Holes

Chris Lintott and Maggie Aderin-Pocock present a look at black holes, featuring an exclusive interview with Stephen Hawk

Mercury: The Problem Child of the Solar System

May 9 2016 sees one of the astronomical highlights of the year - a transit of Mercury across the sun, the best opportuni

Secrets of the Whirlpool Galaxy

Chris Lintott and Maggie Aderin-Pocock report on a plan to train as many telescopes as possible on the Whirlpool Galaxy.

Juno: Mission to Jupiter

A look behind the scenes of Nasa's project to study Jupiter. As the spacecraft Juno enters Jupiter's orbit, the programm

Interstellar: The Journey to Proxima Centauri

Chris Lintott and Maggie Aderin-Pocock report on the recent discovery of a planet with similar qualities to Earth orbiti

Goodbye Rosetta: A Sky At Night Special

Chris Lintott and Maggie Aderin-Pocock report on the Rosetta spacecraft as it prepares to crash into the surface of come

Life on Mars

The Sky at Night team investigates the ongoing hunt for life on Mars. It is one of the great scientific questions of our

Review of the Year

Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Chris Lintott present a look back at some of the biggest stories in space science of 2016, and

Guide to the Galaxy

All good travel guides need a map, and the team unveil the most detailed 3D map of the Milky Way ever produced. A map th

Telescope Takeover

The team travel to the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands where they take control of some of the world's largest t

60th Anniversary Special

When the first episode of The Sky at Night was transmitted in April 1957, it was still thought that Mars could be home t

Inside God's Observatory

This edition comes from the heart of one of the most influential - and surprising - organisations in the history of astr

Into the Dark Zone

The team looks at the trans-Neptunian objects - a vast number of strange, dark, icy worlds - which played a crucial role

It Came From Outer Space

In August, the most spectacular meteor shower of 2017 coincides with transmission: The Perseids! If it's clear, it'll be

Cassini - The Gamechanger

On 15 September 2017, the most successful space mission of all time will come to a dramatic and violent end as the Cassi

Return to the Moon?

A look at the reasons behind renewed interest in sending manned missions to the moon, with plans by technology companies

In the Blink of an Eye

Observing events that occur in milliseconds, including the recently detected gravitational wave created by the collision

Wonders of the Night Sky

The Sky at Night celebrates one of the most profound, moving and enjoyable activities there is - the ancient art of look

The Invisible Universe

The team reports on unnerving discoveries in the field of space science. Researchers estimate that 95 per cent of everyt

The Mystery of 'Oumuamua

The team investigates an astronomical detective story. In October 2017, astronomers spotted the first ever object to vis

Mars: Red and Dead?

Chris Lintott and Maggie Aderin-Pocock reveal the latest results from NASA's Curiosity and ESA's ExoMars TGO missions th

Gaia: A Galactic Revolution

Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Chris Lintott examine the new information about the Milky Way recorded by the ESA's Gaia space

Jupiter: Up Close and Personal

Nasa's Juno spacecraft is currently making its 13th orbit of Jupiter on one of the most ambitious and risky space missio

Outback Astronomy

Chris Lintott travels to the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory in Australia to find out how astronomers detected sig

Death Star

One evening in early September 1859, a spectacular blood-red aurora borealis appeared across America. Earlier that same

Expedition Asteroid

A look at two missions attempting one of the most difficult feats of space exploration - to collect a rock from another

Space Britannia

The future of Britain's space programme, examining plans for the first UK spaceport in Scotland and the development of a

First Rock from the Sun

A report on BepiColombo, a spacecraft sent on a seven-year journey to the heart of the solar system to study Mercury. Th

The Flying Telescope

Chris Lintott visits an observatory aboard a jumbo jet, which carries an infra-red telescope able to observe space from

Beyond Pluto

On 1 January 2019, Nasa's New Horizons probe notched up another historic first: the first ever Kuiper belt fly-by. Its t

Is Cosmology in Crisis?

Ever since we discovered that distant galaxies are racing away from us, there has been a heated debate over just how fas

Marsquake!

Marsquake! This month's episode follows Insight, NASA’s latest mission to the Red Planet, as it goes in search of the

Supermassive Black Hole

The team reveals how the first picture of a supermassive black hole was captured. The photograph of the hole at the hear

Return to the Moon

In the first of two programmes to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo Moon landings, the Sky at Night team ta

The Moon, the Mission and the BBC

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo mission to put a man on the moon, The Sky at Night looks back through th

Space Mission Special

The programme goes behind the scenes as the European Space Agency selects its next mission, which will be launched in 20

Alien Worlds

Astronomers have found more than 4,000 planets circling stars other than our own. What do we know about these alien worl

Question Time

A one-hour special in which The Sky at Night team face a live studio audience to answer their questions about the myster

Rosetta: The Comet's Tale

The Rosetta mission to comet 67P was the first time a spacecraft landed on a comet's surface. What has this icy body tau

Review of the Year

Looking back on the major stories of the year - from the New Horizons mission to the most distant world we have ever vis

A Beginner's Guide

The Sky at Night team go back to basics to show you how to enjoy the night sky, wherever you are. It doesn’t matter if

Here Comes the Sun

The Sky at Night discovers how Esa's solar orbiter was built, and how it will protect itself against the sun's searing h

Locked Up But Looking Up

The Sky at Night celebrates its 800th episode by showing how you can still explore space even when confined to your home

Different Planet, Different Sky

The Sky at Night team explore a changing world. Maggie Aderin-Pocock interviews astronaut Jessica Meir, who returned fro

Stars: A Matter of Life and Death

The Sky at Night team explore the life and death of stars, including the dimming of Betelgeuse and the drawings that pre

Mars: Planet of Dreams

Mars has fascinated us ever since we first looked up to the heavens. We have imagined alien civilisations, exotic life f

Life on Venus

The Sky at Night gains exclusive access to the team of scientists behind the recent discovery of possible signs of life

Beyond the Visible

The focus for this edition of The Sky at Night is on astronomical research that is beyond the scope of our eyes. We thin

Life Beyond Venus

Chris and Maggie report on the reaction to the dramatic announcement of the discovery of phosphine gas in the clouds of

The State of Astronomy

The Sky at Night looks back at the last ten years of astronomy and ponders the most significant milestones and revelatio

Pick of the Year

Maggie Aderin-Pocock and Chris Lintott look back at some of the biggest stories featured on the programme in 2020, with

Mars and Meteorites

In February 2021, orbiters from China and the UAE settled into their positions above Mars, and Nasa’s Perseverance rov

Mapping the Milky Way

The Gaia space telescope is not just helping scientists create the ultimate star map of the Milky Way. It is also showin

Space Boom Britain

The Sky at Night team visit the companies spearheading the boom in Britain's space industry, a sector with an annual inc

ET and the BBC

Chris and Maggie dive into the archives to discover how the hunt for extra-terrestrial life in the universe has been rep

Exploring Jupiter

Juno, Nasa's mission to Jupiter, is still gathering data on the gas giant, a decade after it was launched.

Question Time

A special ‘Question Time’ edition of the programme. Planetary scientist Carly Howett and cosmologist Hiranya Peiris

The Forgotten Solar System

Sir Patrick Moore (1923-2012) began presenting The Sky at Night in April 1957. Airing a new episode every month, the sho

Telescopes through Time

Review Of The Year

Chris and Maggie look back at some of the stories they have covered in 2021 in the Sky at Night’s big review of the ye

Dark Skies

The team explores light pollution and what might be done to mitigate its effects.

Exoplanets and Antarctica

New scientific methods to discover exoplanets, and how the winter dakness in Antarctica helps here.

Destination Moon

2022 marks the fiftieth year since an astronaut last stepped on the moon's surface. We look back at the legacy of the Ap

The Astronomer Royal at 80

Martin Rees is perhaps Britain’s most renowned cosmologist. Now, about to celebrate his eightieth birthday, Lord Rees

The Sky at Day

The British weather is often the enemy of stargazers up and down the country. A forecast of a couple of hours of cloud c

The James Webb Road Trip

On 12 July 2022, the Sky at Night joined the rest of the world to watch as the James Webb Space Telescope released its l

Photographing the Universe

For centuries, humans have been drawing what they see in the night sky through telescopes. But there is something about

Question Time

A special ‘Question Time’ edition of the programme, recorded at The Venue in De Montford University, Leicester, as p

The Multiverse of Mystery

The Sky at Night in the Multiverse of Mystery is a magical journey into the far-flung ideas at the very edge of scientif

The Search for Alien Life

The Sky at Night team investigate the latest science used in the hunt for extraterrestrial life, including a major missi

Will an Asteroid Destroy Earth?

The Sky at Night team explores the threat of an asteroid impact on earth and meets the space scientists who are developi

The UK Space Race

The Sky at Night team investigates the incredible science and engineering helping the UK to blast into space. We are now

Is There Anybody Out There?

For July 2023, the team investigate the controversial world of alien communication. The search for life on other planets

Black Holes: Searching for the Unknown

For August 2023, The Sky at Night team investigate the science of black holes and discover the incredible techniques bei

The Very Large Telescope

The Very Large Telescope has been responsible for some of the greatest astronomical breakthroughs. For September 2023, t

Question Time Special

A special Question Time edition of the programme, recorded at the University of Exeter as part of the British Science As

The Sky at Night Meets The Infinite Monkey Cage

In a special episode to mark the end of another season, The Sky at Night teams up with Radio 4’s The Infinite Monkey C

Space Rock Return

The Sky at Night is back for a brand new series, and this month it is delving into Nasa’s OSIRIS-REx mission, which la

Hiding in Starlight

Total solar eclipses, like the one seen last month in North America, allow us to see details of the sun that can’t be

Cosmic Ghosts

This month, The Sky at Night has a spooky twist. Across the universe, there are hidden objects that we can’t see, but

Webb Telescope - The Story So Far

In July 2022, the James Webb Space Telescope released its first images. They were visually stunning, and it was clear th

Nicky, NASA and the Next Frontier

In this Sky at Night special, the team talk to Dr Nicola Fox, NASA’s head of science, whose life began in the UK. Pre

2075: Our Place in Space

The Sky at Night is embarking on a journey into the future as we explore how space will revolutionise life on Earth over

Question Time Special

Get ready for The Sky at Night’s annual Question Time Special, where viewers get the opportunity to ask the questions

Ancestral Skies

This month, The Sky at Night teams up with BBC Ideas to discover the secrets of archaeology and astronomy and to reflect

Asteroid Strike?

The team explore one of the biggest stories in space news, the ‘city killer’ asteroid 2024 YR4. How well did the pla

Secrets of the Red Planet

The Sky at Night team explore what the latest research is revealing about Mars. Could life once have thrived there? And

Greenwich: A Journey through Space and Time

The team celebrate the 350th anniversary of the Royal Observatory, recreating history at a special dinner party, where t

Exoplanets - Strange New Worlds

The team explore one of the newest areas of modern astronomy, the search for exoplanets, the distant worlds that orbit s

Queen of Pulsars

The team delve into the enigmatic world of pulsars and hear the inspiring story of their discoverer, Dame Jocelyn Bell B

The Expanding Universe

The team explores one of the greatest discoveries of modern astronomy - that our universe is expanding - and the new que

Brits in Space

Three, two, one, lift off! This edition launches into the extraordinary - and extraterrestrial - world of astronaut trai

Space Mysteries: The Sky at Night Meets Curious Cases

Do aliens exist, and can we talk to them? What does a black hole sound like? Does the universe look like a doughnut? In

Destination Moon

The team explore Nasa's Artemis II mission, the first crewed journey towards the moon since 1972. They also look into ro