Sky at Night Series, The

Synopsis

Monthly astronomy programmes from the BBC SKY AT NIGHT series, presented by Patrick Moore, are available for free viewing online. The archive contains programmes broadcast since December 2001 and new programmes are added shortly after transmission. Each programme is 20-25 minutes long.

Language

English

Country

Great Britain

Year of release

2004

Year of production

2001

Availability

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/spaceguide/skyatnight/proginfo.shtml

Notes

The oldest programme in the archive was broadcast on BBC 2 on 15/12/01 on BBC2

Subjects

Astronomy

Online availability

URI

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/spaceguide/skyatnight/proginfo.shtml

Delivery

Streamed

Sections

Title

Star of Bethlehem, The

Synopsis

Guide to astronomy. Patrick Moore, David Hughes and Mark Kidger attempt to track down the original Star of Bethlehem. Although it is often assumed to have been Venus, the experts argue that this cannot be the case. Broadcast on BB2 on 15/12/01

Duration

20 mins

Title

Galactic whirlpools

Synopsis

Patrick Moore is joined by Professor Chris Kitchin to discuss how giant tornadoes containing dust, gas and thousands of millions of stars are formed. Plus a look ahead to the fate of our own galaxy, the Milky Way, when it collides with the Andromeda galaxy in 3,000 million years time. Broadcast on 5/2/02 on BBC1

Duration

25 mins

Title

Tale of two bears, A

Synopsis

Patrick Moore tells the story of two familiar features of the night sky - Ursa Major, also known as the Great Bear, and its smaller companion Ursa Minor - and reveals that even these simple constellations contain interesting objects, such as double stars and nebulae. Broadcast on BB1 on 4/3/02

Duration

20 mins

Title

Twelve men on the moon

Synopsis

The world of astronomy with Patrick Moore. Guest Douglas Arnold sets out to dispel suggestions that the Apollo moon landings were fake, and to convince viewers that twelve men did indeed set foot on the moon. Broadcast on BBC1 on 1/4/02

Duration

20 mins

Title

Forty-five years of star-gazing: anniversary episode

Synopsis

Patrick Moore looks back on the milestones in astronomy and space exploration which have marked the 45 years since The Sky at Night began. Broadcast on BBC2 on 4/5/02

Duration

50 mins

Title

Southern eyes

Synopsis

Patrick Moore and Professor Fred Watson from the Anglo-Australian Observatory view some striking images taken by the UK Schmidt telescope. Plus a focus on the new 6df project, offering full hemisphere spectroscopic surveys for the first time and a better understanding of the complex movements of our galaxy Broadcast on 27/5/02 on BBC 1

Duration

25 mins

Title

Birth of the universe, The

Synopsis

Patrick Moore talks to Professor Stephen Hawking about his cosmological theories and his thoughts on how our universe start. Broadcast on 24/6/02 on BBC1.

Duration

20 mins

Title

Star in your eyes

Synopsis

Patrick Moore visits Britain’s newest planetarium, where the wonders of the cosmos can be viewed both day and night. Broadcast on 22/7/02 on BBC1

Duration

25 mins

Title

Apocalyptic asteroid

Synopsis

Patrick Moore talks to Dr Duncan Steel about the threat of objects in space colliding with Earth. Broadcast on 19/8/02 on BBC1

Duration

25 mins

Title

Long wave, The

Synopsis

Broadcast on 16/9/02 on BBC1. Patrick Moore recalls the important discoveries made at Jodrell Bank as Britain’s foremost radio astronomy observatory prepares to celebrate its 45th anniversary

Duration

20 mins

Title

Picture perfect

Synopsis

Two amateur astro-photographers talk about the skills and equipment needed to capture astronomical events in the night sky. Broadcast on 15/10/02 on BBC1.

Duration

25 mins

Title

Radio revolution, The

Synopsis

In the second of this two-part special from Jodrell Bank, Patrick Moore explores the future of radio astronomy, looking at how the upgrading of the Lovell telescope and MERLIN array are giving radio astronomers the chance to unlock more secrets of the universe Broadcast on 12/11/02 on BBC1.

Duration

25 mins

Title

Royal celebration, A

Synopsis

In the 600th edition of THE SKY AT NIGHT Patrick Moore interviews Astronomer Royal Martin Rees. They discuss the cosmos, black holes, dark matter and new theories on the origins and future of the universe. Broadcast on 10/12/02 on BBC1

Duration

20 mins

Title

Hot stuff

Synopsis

Patrick Moore and Dr. Iain Nicolson talk about our nearest star, the Sun. With the latest images from SOHO and the Big Bear Observatory, we discover how active the Sun has been over the past few months. Also in the programme, two reports from Sky at Night viewers who were in Australia for the recent eclipse. Broadcast on 11/1/02 on BBC1.

Duration

20 mins

Title

Astro art

Synopsis

Patrick Moore talks to leading astro-artist David A Hardy about the importance of space art and its modern development Broadcast on 8/2/02 on BBC2

Duration

25 mins

Title

Dark side, The

Synopsis

Patrick Moore talks to Professor Carlos Frenk about dark matter, an elusive and mysterious substance that makes up 90 per cent of our universe Broadcast on 8/3/03 on BBC2.

Duration

20 mins

Title

Shadow, The

Synopsis

Patrick Moore takes a look at three astronomical events which can all be witnessed from Britain: the transit of Mercury, a lunar eclipse and an annular eclipse Broadcast on 5/5/03 on BBC1 under the title THE EARLY BIRD.

Duration

25 mins

Title

Highland ring

Synopsis

Patrick Moore reports from the north of Scotland on the annular eclipse. He also reviews other events and gamma ray burst. Broadcast on BBC 1 on 3/6/03 unde the title SCOTTISH ECLIPSE.

Duration

25 mins

Title

Space scouts

Synopsis

Patrick Moore looks at how the world of astronomy is on the threshold of a new era of discovery with satellites and probes being sent out into space, in search of answers about our universe. Broadcast on BBC2 on 12/7/03.

Duration

25 mins

Title

Mars, the next fronier

Synopsis

Patrick Moore talks to Arthur C Clarke about terraforming and manned exploration, and to Beagle 2’s creator, Colin Pillinger. Broadcast on BBC2 on 9/8/03.

Duration

40 mins

Title

Out of the dark ages

Synopsis

An interview with Professor Carlos Frank about the formation of galaxies and the birth of the universe. Also featuring the latest Mars pictures. Braodcast on BBC1 on 8/9/03

Duration

20 mins

Title

SMART way to the moon

Synopsis

In a new era of space age discoveries, Europe sends its first rocket to the Moon. With its revolutionary ion engine and pioneering instruments, scientists hope SMART-1 will answer fundamental questions about the Moon, such as where it came from. Broadcast on BB1 on 6/10/03.

Duration

25 mins

Title

Jupiter and Galileo

Synopsis

The world of astronomy with Patrick Moore. With a discussion on the Galileo mission to the gas giant Jupiter. Broadcast on 8/11/03 on BBC2

Duration

20 mins

Title

Cosmic wanderers

Synopsis

Patrick Moore is joined by Dr Mark Kidger to discuss comets, the most unpredictable members of the solar system. Broadcast on 8/12/03 on BBC1

Duration

20 mins

Title

Music of the spheres

Synopsis

Patrick Moore presents a special edition celebrating the mathematical link between astronomy and music, examining how the celestial sky has inspired composers from Ancient Greece to modern day. Broadcast on 4/1/04 on BBC1

Duration

30 mins

Title

Mars invasion

Synopsis

Patrick Moore talks about the latest news from NASA’s Mars Rovers (Spirit and Opportunity) and the European spacecraft Mars Express. Broadcast on 2/2/04 on BBC1 under the title ROVING ON MARS

Duration

30 mins

Title

Cosmic vision

Synopsis

David Southwood talks to Patrick Moore about the European Space Agency’s current and future missions. Also the latest news from Mars Broadcast on 8/3/04 on BBC1.

Duration

25 mins

Production Company

Name

BBC Television

Distributor

Name

BBC Science

Web

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/spaceguide/skyatnight/proginfo.shtml External site opens in new window