The Sky at Night
The BBC's long-running astronomy series, presented for many decades by Sir Patrick Moore.
- 1957-2026
- 70 seasons
- Documentary
The BBC's long-running astronomy series, presented for many decades by Sir Patrick Moore.
Season 54 Episode Guide
12 Episodes 2010
Episode 1
Twinkle Twinkle
Patrick Moore takes a tour of the winter sky, looking at twinkling 'variable stars' with Dr John Mason and at planets and galaxies with Pete Lawrence and Paul Abel.
Episode 2
The Spirit of Mars
Featuring an interview with Prof Steve Squyres, investigator of the Mars Exploration Rover Mission, about the attempts to rescue the ensnared rover, Spirit.
Episode 3
Life
We have discovered over 400 extra-solar planets. But is there anything living on them and if so, is it intelligent? Patrick Moore debates the question of life in the universe.
Episode 4
The Sun in Splendour
Patrick Moore is joined by Professor John Brown and Dr. Chris Davis for a tour of the Sun, Earth's primary source of energy, without which life would not exist.
Episode 5
Ring World
Patrick Moore is joined by Professor Michele Dougherty and Professor Carl Murray to discuss Saturn and its rings system. Pete Lawrence shows how to observe it in May.
Episode 6
Star Birth
From the galactic maternity wards of clouds and dust we call nebulae, stars emerge. Yet little is known about this cosmic 'birth' process. Patrick Moore discusses how stars are created.
Episode 7
The Universe from Atlantis
Sir Patrick Moore and Dr Chris Lintott meet the crew of Atlantis to talk about the future of spaceflight and the legacy of the Space Shuttle.
Episode 8
Monster Star
Sir Patrick Moore and Chris Lintott are joined by Dr. Richard Parker, one of the team of UK astronomers who have discovered the brightest and most massive star so far.
Episode 9
Events on Jupiter
In July 2009 a large object crashed into Jupiter and in May 2010 its southern equatorial belt disappeared. Patrick Moore and guests discuss the latest events.
Episode 10
Light Echoes
Patrick Moore, Mike Bode and Tim O'Brien discuss light echoes - reflections of light from distant objects. Chris Lintott helps to construct a new radio telescope.
Episode 11
Ghostly Travellers
Comets are strange and exotic objects, the remnants from dead stars and the birth pangs of our solar system. Sir Patrick Moore discusses NASA's EPOXI mission, which hopes to rendezvous with comet Hartley 2.
Episode 12
The Great Bear
Ursa Major, the Great Bear, is a rich source of galaxies, double and variable stars. Sir Patrick Moore and his astronomical team give an intimate guide to one of the skies' most recognisable constellations.