The Sky at Night - Season 23 / Year 1979

The Sky at Night - Season 23 / Year 1979

Season 23 / Year 1979

Network
DatesJan 10, 1979 - Dec 11, 1979
Previous SeasonNext Season

Episodes

Venus Explored
Year 1979Episode 130 min

Venus Explored

In December, six American and two Russian space-craft reached Venus. With its dense atmosphere, its searing hot surface and its clouds of deadly sulphuric acid, this strange planet is overwhelmingly hostile; but it is of tremendous interest. Patrick Moore and Dr Garry Hunt talk about the findings of the space-ships, and discuss what will happen next in the exploration of Venus.
Jan 10, 1979
The Man Who Mapped The Nebulae
Year 1979Episode 230 min

The Man Who Mapped The Nebulae

All astronomers know of the catalogue of star-clusters and nebulae compiled 200 years ago by Charles Messier ; and ' hunting the M objects' is a favourite amateur pastime. Tonight Patrick Moore describes Messier and some of the objects which he listed.
Feb 5, 1979
Is Life On Earth Unique?
Year 1979Episode 330 min

Is Life On Earth Unique?

Most scientists believe that intelligent life is common in the Universe. But the creation of life requires special conditions, which could be much less frequent than is usually thought. Patrick Meore talks to Professor Sir Bernard Lovell who believes that life elsewhere, in the Universe is likely to be extremely rare.
Mar 8, 1979
The Space Between The Stars
Year 1979Episode 430 min

The Space Between The Stars

Is space empty? Astronomers used to think so, but it is now known that there is a tremendous amount of material spread between the stars. Even complex molecules are found there. This discovery has had a great influence upon our ideas about the formation and life-stories of the stars. In this programme Patrick Moore and Dr John Beckman, of Queen Mary College, talk about the developments which have taken place during the past five years.
Apr 4, 1979
Voyager To Jupiter
Year 1979Episode 530 min

Voyager To Jupiter

When Voyager 1 flew past Jupiter in March of this year, it sent back results which surprised even the space-planners. The famous Red Spot was shown as a huge whirling storm, while one of the satellites, Io, a world larger than our Moon, has a brilliant red surface upon which active volcanoes can be seen. Patrick Moore and Dr Garry Hunt discuss Voyager l's remarkably successful mission.
May 2, 1979
Looking At The Weather From Space
Year 1979Episode 630 min

Looking At The Weather From Space

'Is it going to rain today?' 'Will it be a sunny weekend? ' The British are famous for discussing the weather. Its vagaries are part of our lives, and we all watch the forecasts. 1957 saw the start of the space age, and since then space probes have not only provided information about other planets in the solar system, but they have also studied the atmosphere and weather on Earth itself. Recently, more elaborate satellites have produced the clear pictures we see on television forecasts. Patrick Moore talks to Michael Fish about how these satellites in space have revolutionized weather forecasting.
May 30, 1979
X-Rays From Space
Year 1979Episode 730 min

X-Rays From Space

On 2 June the new all-British satellite, Ariel 6, was put into orbit more than 600 km above the earth's surface. Like its highly successful predecessor, Ariel 5, one of its main tasks will be to study x-rays and cosmic rays from deep space, and it is carrying experiments from four British universities. Patrick Moore talks about this new astronomical satellite with Dr Leonard Culhane, the project scientist for the mission.
Jun 27, 1979
Down To Earth - The End Of Skylab
Year 1979Episode 830 min

Down To Earth - The End Of Skylab

Jul 9, 1979
Voyager 2 Reaches Jupiter
Year 1979Episode 930 min

Voyager 2 Reaches Jupiter

Jul 24, 1979
The Zodiac
Year 1979Episode 1030 min

The Zodiac

Aug 21, 1979
Pioneer To Saturn
Year 1979Episode 1130 min

Pioneer To Saturn

Sep 19, 1979
Observing The Sun
Year 1979Episode 1230 min

Observing The Sun

Oct 18, 1979
The Message Of Starlight
Year 1979Episode 1330 min

The Message Of Starlight

Nov 22, 1979
UFOs - Fact Or Fantasy?
Year 1979Episode 1430 min

UFOs - Fact Or Fantasy?

Dec 11, 1979

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
The Repair Shop
Running

The Repair Shop

Enter a workshop filled with expert craftspeople, bringing loved pieces of family history and the memories they hold back to life. A heartwarming antidote to throwaway culture.

Will Trent
Running

Will Trent

In Will Trent Special Agent Will Trent of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations was abandoned at birth and endured a harsh coming-of-age in Atlanta's overwhelmed foster care system. But now, determined to use his unique point of view to make sure no one is abandoned like he was, Trent has the highest clearance rate in the GBI.

GenreDrama, Crime
The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer
Running

The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer

Celebrity bakers enter Britain's most famous tent and put their skills to the test, as they Stand Up To Cancer and inspire viewers to do the same.

GenreFood
Missed Call
Upcoming

Missed Call

When British teenager Katie Gleason vanishes during a school exchange in southern France, her mother Sarah rushes to Saint-Michel seeking answers.

Met with evasive police and hostility from Katie's powerful host family, the Morvans, Sarah launches her own investigation alongside local detective Lieutenant Virginie Taylor, exposing buried secrets, abuse, corruption, and trafficking within the tight-knit town.

As bodies surface and suspicions reach influential figures - including Virginie's father - alliances fracture. Betrayed and unraveling, Sarah learns that Katie may still be alive. Time is running out for them both and justice.

Half Man
Upcoming

Half Man

When Niall's estranged 'brother' Ruben shows up at his wedding, it leads to an explosion of violence that catapults us back through their lives. Spanning almost forty years from the 1980s to the present day, this ambitious series will cover the highs and lows of the brothers' relationship, from them meeting as teenagers to their falling out as adults – with all the good, bad, terrible, funny, angry, and challenging moments along the way. It will capture the wild energy of a changing city - a changing world, even - and try to get to the bottom of the difficult question... What does it mean to be a man?

GenreDrama