The Sky at Night S20E12 · Quasars - the Remotest Objects in the Universe?

Overview

In 1963 astronomers identified ' quasars ' - star-like objects which were held to be the most remote and the most luminous ever seen. There have been doubts about the accuracy of these estimates, but new research indicates that it is correct. Patrick Moore talks to Dr Simon Mitton , of Cambridge University, about these strange objects which may well lie very close to the edge of the observable universe.

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Episodes

1. 1 1. The Changing Face of Mars1976-01-21The planet Mars is brilliantly visible in the sky at the moment. It has always been regarded as the one planet beyond earth upon which life might exist, and in 1976 we could find o
2. 2 2. The Pole Star1976-02-18Everyone has heard of the Pole Star - but how many people can find it, or know its importance? From his observatory at Selsey, Patrick Moore talks about this huge, remote sun which
3. 3 3. Black Holes in Space1976-03-18What is a Black Hole? Nobody can yet be sure; it may be the final state of a very massive star which has collapsed, surrounding itself with a ' forbidden zone' from which not even
4. 4 4. The Rings of Saturn1976-04-21The rings, easily visible with a small telescope, are now better displayed than they will be for some years to come. Patrick Moore talks about Saturn and describes what the America
5. 5 5. The Sun and the Earth1976-05-20The Sun sends us its light and heat, but it has many other effects on the earth too. It raises tides; it produces the lovely Polar lights; it has long-term effects on plant growth
6. 6 6. Neutron Stars1976-06-14Pulsars are among the most incredible objects known to man. They are composed of neutrons and are so dense that a pin's head of neutron star material would weigh as much as an ocea
7. 7 7. Viking to Mars1976-07-15Patrick Moore discusses the results of this historic mission with two leading experts Professor Geoffrey Eglinton and Dr Garry Hunt.
8. 8 8. Viking on Mars1976-08-11The first spacecraft to land successfully on Mars has started its programme of research. America's Viking 1 is now standing on the Martian surface, sending back information direct
9. 9 9. How Far Can You See?1976-09-09Patrick Moore brings news on the Viking missions to Mars and asks How Far Can You See? With the naked eye one can see 12 million, million, million miles. Patrick Moore talks about
10. 10 10. Viking - The End of the Beginning1976-09-28Mars has been reached. Both Vikings have not only landed successfully but have sent back information which is as exciting as it is unexpected. Now that the first results have been
11. 11 11. A New Look from Old Greenwich1976-10-28For many centuries Greenwich Observatory was the world's leading astronomical establishment, and it marks the 'zero for longitude', dividing the world into two hemispheres. More th
12. 12 12. Quasars - the Remotest Objects in the Universe?1976-11-24In 1963 astronomers identified ' quasars ' - star-like objects which were held to be the most remote and the most luminous ever seen. There have been doubts about the accuracy of t
13. 13 13. The Evening Star1976-12-15This winter Venus is a brilliant object in the evening sky. It is very like the Earth in size and mass, and until the Space Age it was thought to be capable of supporting life in s