The Sky at Night — 2003

Jan 2003

Patrick Moore heats up when he discusses our nearest star, the Sun, with guest Iain Nicolson. There is also a report from Australia about the recent eclipse.

Feb 2003

Artists for the past 100 years have visualised and drawn how they imagine our Solar System and Universe look. NASA scientists used lunar art work before going to the moon. Now we are able to confirm many of these astronomical artistic interpretations. Patrick Moore talks to leading astro-artist David A Hardy about the importance of space art and its modern development.

Mar 2003

We don't know what it is, we can't see it and yet staggeringly it makes up 90% of our Universe. For astrophysicists, dark matter has proved to be an elusive and mysterious substance. In this episode, Patrick Moore talks to Professor Carlos Frenk about the Universe's darkest secret.

Apr 2003

Patrick Moore talks to Professor Colin Pillinger about the British lander craft Beagle 2, which will be sent to Mars in May to search for signs of life.

May 2003

With three astronomical events that can all be witnessed from Britain, Patrick Moore previews the transit of Mercury, lunar eclipse and annular eclipse that can be seen from the North of Scotland at the end of May.

Jun 2003

Patrick Moore reports from North Scotland on the last month's annular eclipse, lunar eclipse and transit of Mercury. Also, the Universe's largest explosions, gamma ray bursts.

Jul 2003

Patrick Moore looks at how probes and satellites that are sent into space might find answers to questions about the Universe. He interviews Dr Helen Walker. David Hardy looks at the ten finalists in the Martian base competition.

Aug 2003

This is the year of the Red Planet, when Mars will be at its closest to Earth. Withthree probes on their way to Mars, due to land Christmas Day onwards, the hope is we will find out if there is, or has been, life on Mars. In this special programme, Patrick Moore talks to Sir Arthur C Clarke about terraforming and manned exploration, and to Beagle 2's creator, Professor Colin Pillinger.

Sept 2003

Professor Carlos Frenk talks to Patrick Moore about the evolution of galaxies from the cosmic dark ages to the current day. Also featuring the latest Mars pictures and monthly guide to the night sky.

Oct 2003

In a new era of space discovery, Europe sends its first rocket to the Moon. With a revolutionary ion engine and pioneering instruments, scientists hope SMART-1 will answer new questions on the Moon.

Nov 2003

A month after the spacecraft Galileo plunged into Jupiter's atmosphere, ending one of the most successful missions of all time, Patrick Moore discussess the Galileo mission, the mysterious gas giant Jupiter and four of its fascinating moons.

Dec 2003

Long-running astronomy programme. Patrick Moore discusses the unpredictability of comets with astronomer Dr Mark Kidger.