The Sky at Night

Patrick Moore takes a look at the close up pictures of Mars taken by the American Mars probe, Mariner 6.

Patrick Moore presents a retrospective of five decades of The Sky ay Night, recalling the history of space exploration from the first Russian Sputnik, the major astronomical discoveries over half a century, and the people he has met, from Orville Wright to Neil Armstrong.

Using archive sound, satellite footage and film taken by the astronauts, Patrick Moore presents the story of mankind's first journey to another world. The task of telling Apollo 11’s story from a British angle is a challenging one, since most of the domestic television presentation was not saved for the archives. However, Apollo 11, A Night to Remember, part of BBC Four’s Moon Night, has knitted together the remaining material into an effective two-hour documentary. Satellite pictures have been married up with amateur audio recordings, and linked with rarely-seen reports, background films, a couple of rediscovered studio clips, and some new explanatory pieces by Sir Patrick Moore, one of the presenters in 1969. The satellite images, which form the bulk of the programme, cover the main events in America, in the spacecraft, and on the moon. The source tapes are the BBC’s original 525-to-625 line live electronic standards conversions, but because they are derived from an international signal feed, they are lacking the domestic commentary and captions. However, it has been possible to reinstate much of the commentary from amateur off-air recordings, and thereby restore parts of the BBC’s television coverage. This technique has been applied in previous moon landing documentaries, but here it is used much more extensively than before, greatly enhancing the experience. The sound quality of the amateur recordings is not brilliant; usually it is perfectly intelligible, but occasionally becomes indistinct against all the interference from the space communications. A highlight of the programme comes near the start, when we can savour lengthy sections of what must be one of British television’s most compelling commentaries, as Michael Chartlon dramatically sets the scene at Cape Kennedy’s launch site, then guides us through the last 6 minutes of countdown. There are several technical glitches resulting from a poorish satellite link but these do not detract from the occasion. (Wobbly pictures from Cape Kennedy’s control room appear also on NASA’s recordings, so must have another cause.) The launch build-up also features James Burke demonstrating the rocket tower escape procedure, the first of several entertaining, but seldom-seen, colour film items that were played into the live programmes. The Burke / Moore Apollo 11 studio presentation, long thought to be totally missing from the archives, has acquired for itself a certain mystique, and a place among the top ten missing programmes. But now, perhaps for the first time since 1969, we can glimpse one of these famous broadcasts, made on 16th July 1969, as James Burke reviews the launch earlier that day. The minute-long clip, taken from BBC1’s Twenty-Four Hours current affairs programme, is a high quality, 625-line black-and-white video recording. The second of the recovered studio clips, 20-seconds long, is of much poorer technical quality than the first, and appears to be from an amateur recording. It shows Burke signing off for the night after a broadcast probably made in the early hours of Saturday 20th July 1969 (the days of the week are incorrect in the documentary). Michael Charlton’s contributions from Houston seem to have fared better in the archives than those of his London colleagues, and here we can view two examples: an interview with NASA’s George Hage shortly before the critical lunar orbit insertion manoeuvre on 19th July 1969, and a report to camera at 2am on 21st July 1969, about two hours before Armstrong steps onto the moon. It is hard to know why this colour material has been hidden away for so long, (although a very short Charlton snippet did appear in the film The Dish a few years ago). Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins made several telecasts live from the spacecraft on their outward and homeward journeys. Excerpts of these appear frequently in documentaries, but now we can gain a better insight, thanks to the inclusion of greatly extended sections, taken for the most part from video recordings, which tend to preserve the “live” feel of an event compared to film recordings. On fast-moving shots, you can sometimes see colour fringing caused by the Apollo TV camera’s mechanical system of colour encoding. Despite their blurred appearance, lingering shots of the barren moonscape, televised from the orbiting spacecraft the day before touchdown, are remarkable images, which benefit from being shown at length. The reinstated BBC commentary that accompanies them is a 3-way, transatlantic hook-up from Burke, Moore and Charlton. These lunar sequences, and the earlier telecast from Apollo, were carried live in colour by the BBC, although most people would have been viewing in black-and-white. As made clear in the narration, the programme sometimes departs from the live coverage seen in 1969. And so, for example, during Eagle’s descent to the moon’s surface, pictures from Houston are interwoven with clear extracts from the astronauts’ well-known LEM film. On the whole, this approach is used judiciously, even if it is not the authentic television experience. For reasons explained already, the scenes following lunar touchdown are without the striking captions originally seen by BBC viewers (e.g. “Americans on the Moon. Apollo 11 touched down 9.18”) but, as elsewhere, they have been reunited with James Burke’s comments. At mission control, we can pick out the commander going through his stay/no stay routine shortly after the landing. A long compilation of the actual moonwalk covers the major events on the lunar surface, including in full President Nixon’s “most historic telephone call ever made” to Armstrong and Aldrin. The president is shown inset in colour, though the live broadcast of this was in monochrome only. A strobing effect in some of the scenes is caused by the slow scan lunar camera signal, which required optical conversion to translate it to broadcast standards. One of the most dramatic parts of the mission, the fiery return to Earth, is a curious omission, and the splashdown features only briefly over the closing credits. Nonetheless, Apollo 11, A Night to Remember has given us our clearest understanding since 1969 of how British television covered the historic first moon landing mission, plus the hope that more missing footage might eventually be recovered.

Patrick Moore tells you what to look for in the night sky during the coming month. The first of a regular monthly series.

Patrick Moore shows what to look for in the night sky during the coming month.

Patrick Moore shows what to look for in the sky during the coming month.

Patrick Moore shows you the wonders of the winter sky during the coming month.

Patrick Moore discusses with Dr. Roger Jennison of Jodrell Bank how radio astronomy is increasing our knowledge of the Universe.

Patrick Moore discusses the most famous of all the constellations.

Patrick Moore describes the life-cycle of a star and compares the Sun's history with that of Betelgeuse, the vast red giant now visible in Orion.

Patrick Moore describes the life-cycle of a star and compares the Sun's history with that of Betelgeuse, the vast red giant now visible in Orion.

Patrick Moore talks about the forthcoming partial eclipse of the Moon and about the planet Mercury, which is at its most visible period for some time.

Patrick Moore talks about the Andromeda nebula, the most distant object in the heavens it is possible to see with the naked eye, and compares it with what is known of our own galaxy.

Patrick Moore talks about the remote and slow-moving planet which was discovered in 1781. Uranus is sixty-four times as large as the earth, and has 65,000 days in its year, which is eighty-four times as long as ours.

Patrick Moore explains how the atmosphere interferes with the astronomer's work. He discusses with Dr. Hugh Butler of the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, how a satellite could be an astronomical observatory.

Patrick Moore talks with W.M. Baxter, Secretary of the British Astronomical Association, about the mysterious dark areas, many thousands of miles across, on the sun's surface, known as sunspots. Besides discussing whether these affect the weather, they also consider the effect of solar flares on future manned space-travel. Particles emitted from these may turn out to be one of the worst hazards of all.

In this programme, postponed from February, Patrick Moore discusses with Dr. F. L. Jackson, of King's College Hospital Pathology Department, the results of certain experiments carried out specially on behalf of 'The Sky at Night'. In these experiments various living organisms have been subjected to the conditions of atmosphere and temperature which exist on Mars.

Following last month's programme on the possibility of life existing on Mars, Patrick Moore discusses whether very low forms of life may be found on the Moon, our nearest neighbour in space and the one most likely to be first reached by man. He also shows viewers the newly published Russian Atlas of the back of the Moon, based on photographs taken by Lunik III.

Patrick Moore discusses with Gilbert Fielder the age-old problem of what caused the craters on the moon, and whether the next Russian lunik may solve the problem.

Patrick Moore discusses with Dr. Francis Jackson bacteriologist of King's College Hospital reports that signs of past life have been found in meteorites They also report on the latest progress of the 'life on Mars' experiments inaugurated last year.

Pluto, on the boundary of the solar system, is the planet most remote from the earth. Patrick Moore discusses this strange small world whose mysteries have puzzled astronomers ever since its discovery in 1930.

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

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

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.

Patrick Moore talks about some of the strange celestial objects, like the planet Vulcan, which have been reported at times but do not in fact seem to exist.

Frank Hyde discusses with Patrick Moore the progress of his radio-astronomy station's observations in collaboration with Florida State University to try to determine whether the radio emissions from Jupiter originate there or are reflected from the sun.

The recent flight of Ranger VI came near to solving the age-old problem of the nature of the Moon's surface. Patrick Moore reports on the present situation and its significance to astronomers.

Patrick Moore discusses the atmospheres of the other planets in the solar system, how much is known of them, what more is likely to be found out about them in the near future, and whether one day man will be able to survive them.

The advantages, drawbacks, and achievements of using balloons to take astronomical instruments above the earth's atmosphere are discussed by Patrick Moore and Kenneth Fea of the Space Research Group, University College, London.

Patrick Moore discusses what information the photographs taken by Ranger 8 may give on the controversial question of the nature of the moon's surface.

Patrick Moore discusses with Frank Hyde whether the radio emissions from Jupiter, which have been puzzling many astronomers, can be related to the movements of Jupiter's moons.

On Christmas Eve the first meteorite to fall on British soil for many years exploded over the village of Barwell in Leicestershire. Patrick Moore discusses with experts and eye-witnesses its possible origin and nature.

The recent successful landing of the Russian space probe Luna-9 on the moon has brought nearer the possibility of a manned landing there. Patrick Moore discusses the latest information, and speculates about the future.

At present the most brilliant object in the evening sky is Jupiter, giant planet of the Solar System - an immense world with cloud belts, the fascinating Great Red Spot. and four bright moons. Even a small telescope will show details upon its yellowish gaseous surface. Patrick Moore talks about Jupiter, and the many problems that it presents to modern astronomers.

Well over a thousand artificial satellites are now in orbit round the earth, and some can be seen as bright lights crossing the stars. Patrick Moore talks to Desmond King-Hele, F.R.S. about the way amateur observers can sight and track satellites, and about the value of these observations to space research.

Patrick Moore and Dr. V. Barocas talk about the nebulae - clouds of gas of many kinds far out in space. In some of these, new stars are coming into existence.

The enthusiasm of astronomers makes them build observatories at their own homes. Tonight Patrick Moore looks at three home-built observatories, including his own, which he has successfully transferred to Northern Ireland. Not all are built for the same purposes.

Leap Year makes this a special month-but variations in earthly calendars are slight compared with those in other worlds. In tonight's programme, Patrick Moore talks about Uranus's 65,000-day year, Jupiter's 'year', twelve times as long as ours but with a 'day' of less than ten hours, and Venus's 'year', which seems shorter than its 'day'.

The Armagh Planetarium-the first big public planetarium to be built in Britain outside the London area-was opened to visitors on February 5. Its Director, Patrick Moore, shows viewers round and describes its principles and uses.

Man has just taken his first close look at the moon, and in a few months American spacecraft are expected to bring back samples of the moon's crust for analysis. At this turning point in lunar research, as the long history of earth-based observation gives way to first-hand experience, Patrick Moore sums up our present knowledge; Raymond Baxter discusses the significance of the new developments with Sir Bernard Lovell, Professor J.G. Davies, and Dr. J.H. Thomson at Jodrell Bank; and Patrick Moore describes the optical work done at the world's highest observatory, the Pic du Midi. Sequences in France made available by courtesy of the French Television Service

Without a telescope can you see the phases of Venus? The little star Alcor? The Great Nebula in Andromeda? Patrick Moore discusses what can or cannot be seen without telescopes and invites viewers to join in an experiment.

Jupiter is specially brilliant this month, but it is so remote that many of its mysteries are still unsolved. Patrick Moore discusses them with Terence Moseley Two bright planets are in the evening sky now. Venus is in the west, and at present two Russian spacecraft are on their way there. In this evening's The Sky at Night Patrick Moore gives the results of the investigation into whether anyone can see the crescent shape of Venus with the naked eye-which may help to clear up the mystery of the old references to 'the horned Venus.' Attention is then turned to the other brilliant planet, Jupiter—, the giant of the sun's family, with its belts, moons, and strange Red Spot. Patrick Moore is joined by Terence Moseley to discuss this remarkable world which is always changing; large enough to hold more than 1,000 earths, it is a fascinating object when seen through even a small telescope, if only because one never knows what to expect next!

In January a comet will be visible in the northern sky, bright enough to be seen without a telescope. Patrick Moore talks about comets and their appearances with an observer, Keith Hindley, and about Sir Edmund Halley - discoverer of Halley's Comet - with Colin Ronan.

The constellation of Orion the Hunter is conspicuous in the southern sky. Patrick Moore talks about its many fascinating features, among them white giant stars, the old red giant Betelgeuse, and the gas-cloud where fresh stars are being formed.

In the year 1054 a new star, or Supernova, appeared. It was a star so brilliant that it rivalled Venus and was said to be visible in daylight. It was two years before it faded away. Modern astronomers now know that this was the explosion that produced the Crab Nebula. Tonight Patrick Moore talks to Dr Vinicio Barocas about the Crab Nebula and its mysteries.

Mars has now started to approach the Earth. Later in 1971 it will be as close to us as it can ever come. More Mariner spacecraft will be sent there, and Patrick Moore looks ahead to see what new information they are likely to bring us from this puzzling world.

Our view of the Universe is always out of date! We see the Moon as it was over a second ago, the Sun 81 minutes ago, and remote star systems as they used to be before the Earth was formed. Patrick Moore explains why we can never see the universe 'now.'

Patrick Moore and Dr Vinicio Barocas discuss this star and its strange companion, a body so dense that one thimbleful of its material would weigh a ton.

The Great Bear is the most familiar and conspicuous star-pattern in the night sky all the year round: but it is not exactly what it seems. Patrick Moore explains that, although its seven stars look close together, some are further from each other than they are from Earth.

The first X-ray source far out in space was detected nine years ago. Since then, 100 more have been found. But what are they? Patrick Moore talks to Professor Peter Willmore and Dr Kenneth Pounds about a recent successful British experiment to track down one of these mysterious sources by using rockets.

Mars could have water and life. This is the astonishing information now coming back from the Mariner 9 orbiting probe. Patrick Moore discusses the evidence in the latest photographs with a geologist, Dr Peter Cattermole, and explains the significance of these revelations. Have you a question about astronomy you would like to ask Patrick Moore? In the next Sky at Night on 27 March he will answer as many as he can in the time available. Send your questions - on a postcard - to: The Sky at Night, [Address removed]. Sorry, Patrick Moore cannot reply to questions not included in the programme.

Patrick Moore looks forward to a year of spectacular astronomical events: the launching of the Sky-lab earth-orbiting laboratory in May; the longest eclipse of the century in June; the first dual-planet probe to Venus and Mercury in October; and the Copernicus quincentenary celebrations.

From his Selsey observatory, Patrick Moore illustrates what amateur astronomers can achieve, and shows the planet Saturn.

Patrick Moore talks about Sirius the Dog-Star, the brightest star in the sky and one of the nearest to us, and about its white dwarf companion Sirius B. (Patrick Moore's new opera Perseus discussed in Scan: Thurs 8.45 pm R4)

Patrick Moore talks about what is on view in the night sky now, and discusses with Gilbert Satter thwaite the important subject of positional astronomy - the exact measurements and movements of celestial objects.

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 Moore and Dr Garry Hunt examine the recent results showing that its largest satellite, Titan, has a thick atmosphere, and discuss the Saturn space-probe now being planned.

The Milky Way, made up of countless faint stars, can easily be seen in the evening sky this month. Tonight Patrick Moore 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. The latest news will also be given of Mariner 10, the space probe now nearing Mercury, which on 29 March should send back the first close-range pictures of the planet's surface.

Patrick Moore talks about this most splendid of constellations.

Patrick Moore discusses plans for the new Northern Hemisphere laboratory with Dr Graham Smith , director-designate of the Royal Greenwich Observatory.

Algol, the Demon Star, is now well on view during the evening. Every two-and-a-half days the star seems to give a long, slow ' wink.' Patrick Moore describes this remarkable eclipsing binary and explains its importance.