The Sky at Night S53E11 · The Great Observatories

Overview

Following the Hubble space telescope's overhaul, Sir Patrick Moore and Chris Lintott examine its latest findings and the data from NASA's other telescopes, Spitzer and Chandra. Pete Lawrence observes the spiral galaxies M31 and M33 and explains how they owe their enigmatic names to an 18th-century French comet hunter.

Torrents

Subtitles

Episodes

1. 1 1. Light Fantastic2009-01-05Sir Patrick Moore charts the development of the telescope over four centuries and fasts forward to meet the astronaut who repaired the Hubble Space Telescope. Dr Chris Lintott visi
2. 2 2. The Merry Dancers2009-02-02In an edition focusing on the aurora borealis, Chris Lintott travels to a radar facility in northern Norway to discover how these magical lights are created, whilst Sir Patrick Moo
3. 3 3. The Fountains of Enceladus2009-03-02Saturn's mysterious moon Enceladus has startled astronomers with its amazing ice geysers, which spew out material into space. Sir Patrick Moore talks to the scientists who are tryi
4. 4 4. Herschel in the Red2009-04-06Patrick Moore discusses what Herschel, Europe's biggest and most expensive space satellite, will do once it begins its infrared exploration of the universe. Dr Chris Lintott gets
5. 5 5. Close Encounters2009-05-04Every day, asteroids whiz past the Earth on their journey through space. Sir Patrick Moore discusses the chances of a close encounter with an asteroid, after telescopes recently go
6. 6 6. Neighbourhood Watch2009-06-08Containing trillions of stars, Andromeda is the largest galaxy in our neighbourhood. It is 2.5 million light years away, yet is still visible to the naked eye. Sir Patrick Moore an
7. 7 7. Apollo 11: A Night to Remember2009-06-21Using archive sound, satellite footage and film taken by the astronauts, Patrick Moore presents the story of mankind's first journey to another world.
8. 8 8. The Apollo Miracle2009-07-06The 29th July 1969 witnessed one of the greatest triumphs in human exploration when man stepped on the moon. Forty years on, Sir Patrick Moore and his guests reminisce and celebrat
9. 9 9. Coronas of the Sun2009-08-03Sir Patrick Moore, with the help of Pete Lawrence and the latest pictures, investigates the longest total eclipse of the sun for many years, which took place in India and China in
10. 10 10. Jupiter Rising2009-09-07In July 2009, a mysterious large object crashed into Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, leaving behind a scar in the gas cloud the size of the Earth. Sir Patrick Moor
11. 11 11. The Great Observatories2009-10-05Following the Hubble space telescope's overhaul, Sir Patrick Moore and Chris Lintott examine its latest findings and the data from NASA's other telescopes, Spitzer and Chandra. Pet
12. 12 12. Lunar Impact2009-11-02Observers now know there is water on the Moon, but how much? NASA's new LCROSS probe into the lunar surface will find out. Chris Lintott visits the Palomar observatory in Californi
13. 13 13. Exploring Mars2009-11-15For centuries, astronomers, writers and philosophers have speculated about life on the planet Mars, but we have learned more about our near neighbour in the last 30 years than at a
14. 14 14. The Winter Sky2009-12-07Winter is approaching, and with longer nights, it is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the wonders of the night sky. Sir Patrick Moore is joined by Dr Chris Lintott and Pet
15. 15 15. Episode 15
16. 16 16. Episode 16