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13 Episodes 1974 - 1974
Episode 1
Patrick Moore talks about what is on view in the night sky now, and discusses with Gilbert Satterthwaite the important subject of positional astronomy - the exact measurements and movements of celestial objects.
Episode 2
Saturn is now very well placed in the evening sky, and a small telescope will show its ring system as well as some of the moons. Patrick and Dr Garry Hunt examine the recent results showing that its satellite Titan, has a thick atmosphere.
Episode 3
The Milky Way, can easily be seen in the evening sky this month. Patrick describes this luminous band which stretches from one horizon to the other and explains how it forms part of the huge Galaxy of stars in which we live.
Episode 4
Patrick Moore discusses with Dr. Garry Hunt the findings from Mariner 10, the first spacecraft to fly past the sun's innermost planet, Mercury, and send back positive information about this strange little world.
Episode 5
Patrick Moore interviews Dr Carl Sagan, astronomer and exobiologist, on the possibility of life forms on other planets.
Episode 6
The Sun is the only star near enough for us to study in detail. Patrick Moore discusses with Dr. Ron Maddison the mysterious cycles of activity which cause spots and vast looped prominences to appear on the sun's surface.
Episode 7
Patrick Moore describes the Red Giant star, Antares, in the constellation of Scorpio. It is now visible above the southern horizon; and although it looks like a dot, it is bigger than the orbit of the Earth round the Sun.
Episode 8
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 shower - The Perseids. Patrick discusses these spectacular objects and how they occur.
Episode 9
What can you see in the night sky with binoculars, or a small telescope? How much money must you spend if you need adequate equipment for the amateur? Patrick shows examples of telescopes, and explains what can be seen with each of them.
Episode 10
A century ago, the most powerful telescope in the world was the great 72-inch reflector at Birr Castle in Eire, with which its builder, the 3rd Earl of Rosse, discovered the spiral galaxies.
Episode 11
Has gravity always been the same? There have been suggestions that the force of gravity today is weaker than it used to be. Patrick Moore and Colin Ronan discuss this fascinating theory and try to decide whether we are all getting lighter.
Episode 12
This winter the minor planet Eros is due to approach the Earth as closely as it will ever do. Patrick Moore talks with Gordon Taylor of the Royal Greenwich Observatory.
Episode 13
During 1974 there have been some important and spectacular space missions. Patrick Moore discusses with Dr. Garry Hunt the most important results of the Year of the Planets.