The Sky at Night - Season 52 / Year 2008
Season 52 / Year 2008
Episodes
Cosmic Debris
The Earth is bombarded by extra terrestrial material every day, but what is this cosmic debris? Sir Patrick Moore investigates comet tails, meteorites and asteroids and discovers the terrible consequences of a cosmic collision with the Earth. Also, the latest stunning images from Mars Express.
Messenger to Mercury
Star-gazing documentary series. Mercury is a world of extremes and enigmas - the closest one to the Sun. The spacecraft Messenger, which has just reached it after a four year journey, now offers enthralling pictures of its hidden side, which has never been seen before. Sir Patrick Moore looks at the latest images from this exciting mission, while Dr Chris Lintott looks forward to the lunar eclipse this month.
Return to the Moon
With a new era of lunar exploration dawning as more probes are launched to try to unlock the Moon's darkest secrets, Patrick Moore finds out about British ambitions to get there. Dr Chris Lintott travels to NASA to hear about plans to blast a crater in the lunar surface and and meets the astronauts who may be the next men on the Moon.
The Sun Revealed
The world of astronomy with Patrick Moore. The start of a new solar cycle means the Sun's activity is about to hot up.
We Just Don't Know
Astronomy. Sir Patrick Moore celebrates the 666th edition of the programme by asking cosmologists exactly how much we know about the Universe.
Battle of the Giants
As NASA, along with the European Space Agency, plan a return mission to either Jupiter or Saturn, two prominent astronomers discuss which planet we should return to.
The gas giants Jupiter and Saturn are magnificent and mysterious worlds, surrounded by moons which still perplex the astronomers with their strange appearance and incredible diversity. Europa, Jupiter's moon, offers the best chance yet of finding life elsewhere in our solar system, while Saturn's moon Titan, with its complex organic chemical lakes and a shore line uncannily like Cornwall, is now believed to be like the primeval Earth.
Rise of the Phoenix
The NASA mission Phoenix has been on Mars a month and already there are images of the frozen ice caps, never before seen from a spacecraft on the Martian surface.
Dr Chris Lintott travels to Tucson, Arizona, from where the NASA Phoenix team are operating the lander. He finds out how the spacecraft is doing and reports on the latest discoveries from the red planet.
Double Vision
The Large Binocular Telescope in Arizona promises a revolutionary way to look at the night sky. The light from its two eight-and-a-half metre mirrors will produce images of unprecedented clarity and power, offering a glimpse beyond our solar system to the very beginning of time.
Dr Chris Lintott visits Arizona to see the telescope first hand, while Sir Patrick Moore talks to the astronomers who will use it.
Galaxy Zoo
Sir Patrick Moore looks at the results of the Galaxy Zoo project, a website which sorts the galaxies of the Universe into spirals and ellipticals, which has been recorded by volunteers of the general public.
Dr Chris Lintott talks to a Dutch schoolteacher who made a unique discovery whilst participating in the project.
Autumn Sky
Sir Patrick Moore hosts an autumn equinox party in his garden and talks to Dr John Mason about what to look for in the night sky at this time of year.
Big Bangs
The world of astronomy. Gamma ray bursts are some of the largest explosions in the universe, and Sir Patrick Moore discovers how some of these monstrous events mark the spectacular deaths of the first stars.
Also, Dr Chris Lintott visits the NASA Phoenix team fo find out the latest from the Mars Polar explorer.
Other Worlds
Patrick Moore wonders if there is life beyond Earth, while Chris Lintott spends the night with the giant Keck Telescope and meets alien hunter Dr Jill Tarter from SETI.
Recently Updated Shows
Snapped
Who are these women and what drives them to kill? Oxygen's hit true crime series, Snapped, profiles fascinating cases of women accused of murder. Did they really do it? And if they did, why? Whether the motivation is revenge against a cheating husband, the promise of a hefty insurance payoff, or putting an end to years of abuse, the reasons are as varied as the women themselves. From socialites to secretaries, female killers share one thing in common: at some point, they all snapped. Each episode of Snapped chronicles the life of a woman who has been charged with murder. These shocking but true stories turn common assumptions about crime and criminals upside down, and prove that even the most unlikely suspects can be capable of murder.
Chopped
Chopped is a cooking competition show that is all about skill, speed and ingenuity. Each week, four chefs compete before a panel of expert judges and turn baskets of mystery ingredients into an extraordinary three-course meal. Course by course, the chefs will be "chopped" from the competition until only one winner remains. The challenge? They have seconds to plan and 30 minutes to cook an amazing course with the basket of mystery ingredients given to them moments before the clock starts ticking! And the pressure doesn't stop there. Once they've completed their dish, they've got to survive the Chopping Block where our three judges are waiting to be wowed and not shy about voicing their culinary criticisms! Our host, Ted Allen, leads this high-energy, high-pressure show that will have viewers rooting for a winner and cheering for the losers. Chopped is a game of passion, expertise and skill — and in the end, only one chef will survive the Chopping Block. Who will make the cut? The answer is on Chopped!
Ghost Adventures
Are you ready for the lockdown?
Ghost Adventures crew -- Zak Bagans, Aaron Goodwin, Billy Tolley, and Jay Wasley -- is back to investigate the scariest, most notorious, haunted places in the world.
The trio will interview eyewitnesses and historians at each location, arming themselves with the stories of the ghosts they will later provoke and confront during their dusk-to-dawn lockdowns. (Note: They don't always come out unscathed!) Then they'll review and analyze their findings with some the most respected experts and specialists in the paranormal field.
Naked and Afraid: Uncensored
Each week on Naked and Afraid: Uncensored, a new pair of total strangers are faced with the ultimate survival challenge: survive for 21 days together with no clothes or supplies in some of the most dangerous environments in the world. In addition to the landscape itself working against the duo, the local wildlife stalks looks to prey on them as well. Of course, the biggest complication for any of the couples might end up being their own clashing egos. This "uncensored" variation includes never-before-seen footage.