The Sky at Night Season 13 Episodes

Episode 1

The Moon - A New Era

Man has just taken his first close look at the moon. At this turning point in lunar research, as the long history of earth-based observation gives way to first-hand experience, Patrick Moore sums up our present knowledge.

Episode 2

How Much Can We See?

Pat discuses exactly what we can expect to see in the sky without using a telescope.

Episode 3

Jupiter: The Giant Planet

Jupiter is specially brilliant this month, but it is so remote that many of its mysteries are still unsolved. Patrick Moore discusses them with Terence Moseley.

Episode 4

The Moon and the Earth

Patrick Moore discusses with Henry Brinton, Bert Foord; weatherman and Dr. J. T. Hutchinson; a psychiatrist, the scientific truths and popular superstitions about the moon's effects on the earth.

Episode 5

Mars Target Two

Two spacecraft will fly past the planet Mars this summer and send back information which may help to answer the long-debated question, 'Is there life on Mars?' Patrick discusses the latest Martian experiments with a biologist, Keith Reid.

Episode 6

When Venus Crosses the Sun

Unique scientific observations are made on the rare occasions when Venus 'transits' - or crosses - the sun. Tonight's programme marks the bicentenary of Captain Cook's voyage to the South Pacific to observe a transit - on June 3, 1769.

Episode 7

The Needles of Space

Patrick Moore talks about meteors, and the danger they may pose to future astronauts and their equipment with Dr. N. H. Langton, a physicist who has studied this problem.

Episode 8

Mariner to Mars

Patrick Moore takes a look at the close up pictures of Mars taken by the American Mars probe, Mariner 6.

Episode 9

The Weather of Mars

Does it ever rain on Mars? Are there clouds, winds, and storms? The Mariner probes have sent back new, fascinating information about the Red Planet, but even now there are many problems to be solved.

Episode 10

Relativity

It is now over 50 years since Einstein astounded the worlds scientists with his revolutionary theories of Relativity. Patrick discusses with Professor Samuel Tolansky the application of Einstein's theories to astronomy.

Episode 11

Stars that Come and Go

Patrick Moore describes the different types of variable stars, and discusses with John S. Glashy the vital role of amateur observers.

Episode 12

The Moons of Saturn

Patrick describes The Moons of Saturn. Why are Saturn's 10 satellites so different from each other? Why does one of them orbit in the opposite direction from the others, and another appear brightest on one side as it rotates?

Episode 13

The Grand Tour

In the late 1970s a spacecraft may be sent on a 'tour' of the four outer planets, using the gravity and orbital speed of each to boost it on to the next. Patrick discusses the chances of success for this ambitious project.

Episode 14

1969 - Year of Space

26 mins

First transmitted in 1968, Patrick Moore looks back at the year in which mankind (and its artificial satellites) first landed on alien soil. As well as reporting on the famous Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 moon landings, Moore also brings disappointing news about the prospects of life on Mars and Venus.