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The Sky at Night Season 29 Episodes
Season 29 Episode Guide
13 Episodes 1985 - 1985
Episode 1
Worlds Apart?
Patrick Moore looks at the new and quite unexpected developments in our understanding of Beta Pictoris and Van Biesbroeck 8 - two very different stars, but both associated with faint companions.
Episode 2
Colours of the Stars
The Anglo-Australian Telescope in New South Wales is one of the best telescopes in the world. David Malin has been taking colour pictures of remote stars and star-systems which are not only beautiful but are of great scientific value.
Episode 3
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, and describes the various investigations which are to be carried out both from the Earth and by space-craft.
Episode 4
The Infra-Red Sky
The Infra-Red Astronomical Satellite, IRAS, operated for most of 1983 and provided important data about subjects from comets to star formation in remote galaxies. Patrick talks to Dr Jim Emerson about the results and their significance.
Episode 5
Moon Rills
The moon is a world of mountains, craters, valleys, peaks and huge waterless seas. Of special interest are the cracklike features known as rills, which are unlike anything we find on earth. Patrick talks about them with Dr. Lionel Wilson.
Episode 6
Little Worlds
Patrick Moore presents an episode of the astronomy series which examines the minor planets and asteroids that circle the Sun between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
Episode 7
Summer Sky
How do you find your way around the sky? It is not difficult; the constellation patterns are easy enough to make out. Patrick Moore conducts what may be called a guided tour, of the summer night sky.
Episode 8
Infra-Red at Siding Spring
Infra-red radiation, often termed 'heat', is a part of the total range of wavelengths now being studied by astronomers. Striking results have been obtained at the Siding Spring Observatory. Patrick shows some of the spectacular new photos.
Episode 9
Mizar
Mizar, the second star in the 'handle' of the Plough, has a faint companion, Alcor, easily visible with the naked eye. Patrick Moore talks about Mizar and speculates as to the view from a planet moving in this system.
Episode 10
The Computerised Amateur
Many amateur astronomers have large telescopes but Ron Arbour's observatory, near Winchester, is exceptional; his 16-inch reflector is computer controlled and is programmed to hunt automatically for stellar explosions across the universe.
Episode 11
Red Shift - Or Red Herring?
How large is the universe? Astronomers measure the distances of very remote objects by using spectroscopes, but today there are some doubts as to whether the measurements are reliable.
Episode 12
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 talks to Dr. Rod Jenkins of British Aerospace, who built the probe that will go right into the comet next March.
Episode 13
How Wrong We Were
The science of astronomy is thousands of years old. Yet only in the last few decades have astronomers made discoveries that have proved the old theories wrong. Patrick tells the stories of these old theories.