The Sky at Night
Season 2021
Astronomy programme.
Where to Watch Season 2021
10 Episodes
- Pick of the Year
E1Pick of the YearMaggie Aderin-Pocock and Chris Lintott look back at some of the biggest stories featured on the programme in 2020, with the help of special guests who have chosen their favourite moments. From the launch of Solar Orbiter to the discovery of phosphine on Venus, the team relive the astronomy highlights of a highly unusual year. - Mars and Meteorites
E2Mars and MeteoritesIn February 2021, orbiters from China and the UAE settled into their positions above Mars, and Nasa’s Perseverance rover touched down on its surface. Maggie Aderin-Pocock reviews the astonishing footage the rover has already sent back, and talks with its legendary chief designer Adam Seltzer about the challenges of missions to the red planet. - Juno and Jupiter
E6Juno and JupiterAugust 2021 marks ten years since NASA’s mission to Jupiter, Juno, was launched. The mission – to uncover the mysteries surrounding Jupiter’s formation – was expected to end this year with the $1.1 billion satellite deorbiting into the planet’s gassy atmosphere. But thanks to the ingenuity of its engineering, the robust spacecraft has surpassed expectations and been granted an extension to its life. The Sky at Night looks at the amazing research that has resulted from this mission, expanding our understanding of the gas giant and explaining how Juno will now use its extra time in orbit to gather information for future Jupiter-bound missions – NASA’s Europa Clipper and the European Space Agency’s Juice mission. - The Forgotten Solar System
E8The Forgotten Solar SystemSir Patrick Moore (1923-2012) began presenting The Sky at Night in April 1957. Airing a new episode every month, the show continues to explore our solar system and beyond. It is the longest running science show on TV. Many famous people have appeared on The Sky at Night, among them: Harlow Shapley, Carl Sagan and Jocelyn Bell-Burnell. Many astronauts have also appeared, including Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. Recordings of most of the early episodes no longer exist. - Telescopes through Time
E9Telescopes through TimeThe Sky at Night team explore the history of the telescope – from Harriot and Galileo's lunar observations to the Hubble and James Webb space telescopes – revealing how developments in the power of lenses have increased our understanding of our place in the cosmos.
