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Battle to save television astronomy programme

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Battle to save BBC TV's The Sky At Night

8:00am Saturday 28th September 2013 in News By Haydn Lewis, haydn.lewis@thepress.co.uk

STARGAZERS in York have joined a national campaign to stop the BBC cancelling an iconic television show.

Astronomy documentary The Sky At Night had the same permanent presenter, Patrick Moore, from its first airing in 1957 until 7 January 2013 after Moores death in December last year, making it the longest-running programme with the same presenter in television history.

But news that the popular monthly programme could be axed has caused dismay among fans and has led to an online petition.

Annette Newby, the secretary, of the York Astronomical Society, which has about 100 members, said: The Sky at Night is a British institution and it is watched by astronomers everywhere.

There is very little science on the BBC and even less astronomy.

This programme is the mainstay of information and education on astronomy and without it the BBC will fail their remit of being a Public Service Broadcaster.

Our society chairman, Martin Dawson, has known Patrick Moore for many years and has visited his house on many an occasion.

A BBC spokesman said: The Sky at Night is on-air until the end of the year. Plans for subsequent series are being discussed.

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Battle to save television astronomy programme

Eclipses 1949 International Tele-Film Productions – Almanac Films; Astronomy – Video

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Eclipses 1949 International Tele-Film Productions - Almanac Films; Astronomy
more at http://scitech.quickfound.net/astro/astronomy_news_and_links.html Solar eclipse and lunar eclipse footage is shown and described on "John Kieran #39;s Ka...

By: Jeff Quitney

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Eclipses 1949 International Tele-Film Productions - Almanac Films; Astronomy - Video

Astronomy Photographer of the Year, Royal Observatory – exhibition review

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Click here to view the gallery of photos from the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2013 exhibition

The seven finalists in the competition are thrillingly projected in the Planetarium and hung on a wall and all 24 short-listed winners, from more than 1,000 contestants, are presented in light-boxes incongruously small for such epic subjects.

The overall winner, Australias Mark Gee, presents Guiding Lights to the Stars as a cinematic panorama of a New Zealand seashore lit by the night sky. Digitally stitched together in panels, the contents include a tiny moon, smudgy Magellanic clouds hovering over the Milky Way and a glowing lighthouse, coalesced in the broad story. Ben Canaless similarly epic construction, Hi. Hello, is in contrast, an empty snowscape where a monk stares at the skys chimney of smoke holding millions of stars.

Many images have a painting feel: Frank Bromss Green Energy is a swirling dayglo vortex of an Aurora Borealis; Lszl Francsicss The Trapezium Cluster and surrounding Nebulae, involves dust clouds reflecting the colours of exploding gases and resembling Turners skies in their rich blue and fuschia tones. The exhibition's invitation to "Become an Astro Photographer" and use a robotic telescope to photograph a chosen image, includes receiving it by email; irresistible.

Until February 23, 2014 (rmg.co.uk, 020 8858 422)

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Astronomy Photographer of the Year, Royal Observatory - exhibition review

RVCC Planetarium to celebrate Astronomy Day with activities for entire family

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The Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) Planetarium will offer a day of programs for the entire family in celebration of Astronomy Day, Saturday, Oct. 12, from 3-9 p.m.

Visitors will be introduced to the Planetariums newly opened 3M Observatory for solar observing during the day, or will get a chance to take peeks of the Moon and other celestial objects in the evening sky.

Some of the activities will include viewing a scale model of the solar system or using ones body to tell time on a sundial. A light pollution demonstration also is planned. The event is appropriate for families with children ages six and older.

During the event, participants may want to view any of the four Planetarium shows scheduled: Fall Skies, 3 p.m.

Explore the night sky under the Planetarium dome with an expert guide. Learn what stars, planets and constellations are visible in tonights sky, including Venus. The constellations Andromeda, Pegasus and Cassiopeia are easy to find as well. Find out the status of the Sun-grazer Comet, ISON.

Laser Light Waves, 4 p.m. Enjoy a laser light show featuring such songs as Yellow Submarine by the Beatles, Tonight Tonight by Hot Chelle Rae, and Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf.

Fall Skies, 7 p.m. Explore the night sky under the Planetarium dome with an expert guide. Learn what stars, planets and constellations are visible in tonights sky, including Venus. The constellations Andromeda, Pegasus and Cassiopeia are easy to find as well. Find out the status of the Sun-grazer Comet, ISON.

Laser Classic Rock, 8 p.m. Enjoy a laser light show featuring such songs as You Aint Seen Nothing Yet by Bachman Turner Overdrive, Rebel Rebel by David Bowie, and Another One Bites the Dust by Queen.

All of the Astronomy Day activities are free of charge, but there is a cost for the star shows and laser concerts. Tickets cost $7 for one show or $12 for two shows. Reservations for the shows are strongly suggested.

For additional information about Astronomy Day or to make reservations, call 908-231-8805 or visit raritanval.edu/planetarium.

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RVCC Planetarium to celebrate Astronomy Day with activities for entire family

Best Astronomy Photos of the Year Named

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Photograph courtesy Mark Gee, Royal Observatory Greenwich APOY

A lighthouse beacon stands guard beneath the star-studded Milky Way arching over New Zealand's Cape Palliser coastline, as seen in this overall winning photograph from the Royal Observatory's 2013 Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition.

Australian Marc Geewho also grabbed top prize for the Earth and Space categoryimpressed the judges by capturing a tremendous depth and clarity in this stunning snapshot.

"I love the tranquil combination of sea and sky in this beautiful image, along with the comforting human element of the cliff-top lighthouse," said Marek Kukula, competition judge and Royal Observatory Public Astronomer.

"This view from the shores of New Zealand makes me think of the long voyages the Maori's ancestors made into uncharted oceans, guided by the stars."

Now in its fifth year, the Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition selected winners in seven categories from more than 1,200 entries from 48 countries.

Andrew Fazekas

Published September 22, 2013

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Best Astronomy Photos of the Year Named

Sir Patrick Moore astronomy centre plans scrapped, says Brian May

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Sir Patrick, who died last December aged 89, said he hoped that his West Sussex home would one day be converted into an astronomy centre in his name.

The thatched cottage, known as Farthings, was the filming location for The Sky At Night during the last ten years of the astronomer's life, due to his ill health.

May, who has a PhD in astro physics, told The Telegraph last year that the Royal Astronomical Society had rejected the treasures left behind by Sir Patrick.

At the time he said: Youd think the Royal Astronomical Society would be interested, but theyre, like, 'Oh, weve got an awful lot of stuff already'

"Patrick leaves behind him a wonderful library and all these amazing things from astronomers he met. You think it might be easy to give it to a museum, but theyll stick it in a cupboard somewhere and no one will see it.

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Sir Patrick Moore astronomy centre plans scrapped, says Brian May


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