The Sky at Night Season 7 Episodes

Episode 1

Space '63

1963 promises to be an exciting year for astronomy and space exploration. Patrick Moore forecasts some of the possible highlights.

Episode 2

Space Stations for Mars

A Russian astronomer has suggested the 2 moons of Mars might be artificial space stations. Patrick discusses the peculiarities of the Red Planet's satellites and whether they might be used as staging points for future exploration of Mars.

Episode 3

Venus Revealed

Patrick Moore and Howard Miles Director of the Artificial Satellite Section of the British Astronomical Association discuss the American space probe Mariner II and its remarkable new findings about the planet Venus.

Episode 4

Exploding Stars

Patrick talks about the exploding star or nova in the constellation of Hercules which was recently discovered by an amateur astronomer in Sweden, and discusses the sequence of events which leads to these tremendous celestial catastrophes.

Episode 5

Science Fiction and Science Fact

Patrick discusses with Anthony Michaelis how over the years many writers' fantasies, like Bishop Godwin's voyage to the Moon from 1657, are now becoming reality, and whether other theories of science fiction, may become fact.

Episode 6

Birth of the Planets

American astronomers have just reported the discovery of a planet moving round a near star. It is now believed that similar planet families must be common in space. Patrick discusses the latest theories about how planets come into being.

Episode 7

The Active Moon

It used to be thought that the moon had been a dead world for millions of years. Now Russian observers have reported traces of volcanic activity in two craters. Patrick discusses the evidence with Dr. T. M. Sugden, F.R.S.

Episode 8

Superflare

Patrick Moore and Professor C. W. Allen of London University show and discuss a remarkable film of the sun.

Episode 9

Moon Base

20 mins

Patrick discusses with Arthur C. Clarke, one of the pioneer thinkers of space exploration, how his ideas have developed as he has seen the reality happen, and in particular what will be the problems of organising a manned base on the moon.

Episode 10

Measuring the Universe

20 mins

Following the re-measurement of the distance to the nearest star system-the Andromeda Galaxy-as 2.2 million light years, Patrick Moore discusses with Henry Brinton how these enormous distances are calculated.

Episode 11

Jupiter Disturbed

30 mins

Patrick Moore discusses the recent unusual happenings observed in the surface markings of the giant planet Jupiter.

Episode 12

Star Myths

20 mins

The stars have always compelled men's attention. Patrick Moore and Colin Ronan discuss some of the extraordinary legends attached to them in the past.