The Sky at Night 1957
What is The Sky at Night?
The Sky at Night is a documentary television programme on astronomy produced by the BBC. The show has been broadcast monthly and explores the fascinating world of space and astronomy, providing the latest thinking on what's out there in space and what can be seen in the night sky.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1957
- Status
- Returning Series
- Episodes
- 847
- Runtime
- 30 minutes
- First aired
- Apr 24, 1957
- Last aired
- Nov 10, 2025
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- GB
- Networks
- BBC Four
- Genres
- Documentary, News
- Updated
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 847 episodes and an average 30-minute runtime.
Trailer
Overview
The Sky at Night is a documentary television programme on astronomy produced by the BBC. The show has been broadcast monthly and explores the fascinating world of space and astronomy, providing the latest thinking on what's out there in space and what can be seen in the night sky. The programme was first broadcast in 1957 and has had a long-running presence on television. Sir Patrick Moore was the permanent presenter of the show from its first broadcast until 2013. The programme was conceived by BBC producer Paul Johnstone and amateur astronomer Patrick Moore, with the working title Star Map. The Sky at Night has been a source of information on astronomy and space, with a focus on educating viewers about celestial objects. The show has a dedicated cast and crew, including actors, directors, producers, and more, who work together to bring the programme to life.
Should you watch it?
“Explore the wonders of the universe through monthly updates on space discovery and stargazing guidance.”
- expert insights on astronomy
- accessible space exploration updates
- niche subject matter
Watch it if you have an interest in learning about current developments in space science and astronomy.
The program maintains an educational and professional tone suitable for general audiences.
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Cast
Episode guide
Season 1 · 9 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide →- E1 Arend-Roland Comet Apr 24, 1957
- E2 Episode 2 May 22, 1957
- E3 Episode 3 Jun 20, 1957
- E4 Episode 4 Jul 25, 1957
- E5 Telescopes Aug 19, 1957
- E6 New Comet Sep 19, 1957
- E7 The Sun Oct 19, 1957
- E8 Britain's First Planetarium Nov 16, 1957
- E9 Episode 9 Dec 14, 1957
Season 2 · 12 episodes
- E1 The Winter Sky Jan 8, 1958
- E2 Radio Astronomy Feb 5, 1958
- E3 The Plough Mar 5, 1958
- E4 Penumbral Eclipse Apr 2, 1958
- E5 The Moon Apr 30, 1958
- E6 Jupiter May 28, 1958
- E7 Dwarf and Giant Stars Jun 20, 1958
- E8 Moon Missions Jul 23, 1958
- E9 Telescopes Aug 20, 1958
- E10 The Universe Sep 17, 1958
- E11 Mars Nov 17, 1958
- E12 The Craters on the Moon Dec 15, 1958
Season 3 · 13 episodes
- E1 Life and Death of the Sun Jan 12, 1959
- E2 Life and Death of the Sun Feb 9, 1959
- E3 Mercury and the Moon Mar 9, 1959
- E4 Twin Stars Apr 6, 1959
- E5 The Shape of our Galaxy May 4, 1959
- E6 Minor Planets Jun 10, 1959
- E7 Life on Venus Jul 8, 1959
- E8 Lights in the Sky Aug 5, 1959
- E9 The Ringed Planet Aug 31, 1959
- E10 Topical Events Sep 28, 1959
- E11 The Front and the Back of the Moon Oct 26, 1959
- E12 Pairs of Suns Nov 16, 1959
- E13 The Star in the East Dec 14, 1959
Season 4 · 13 episodes
- E1 The Great Spiral Jan 20, 1960
- E2 Uranus Feb 17, 1960
- E3 Why Stars Twinkle Mar 16, 1960
- E4 Visitor from Space Apr 11, 1960
- E5 Star Clouds of Sagittarius Jun 8, 1960
- E6 Other Moons Jun 11, 1960
- E7 Celestial Fireworks Aug 8, 1960
- E8 Measuring the Universe Aug 30, 1960
- E9 Moonscape Sep 27, 1960
- E10 Make-up of the Stars Oct 10, 1960
- E11 Astronomy in Russia Nov 7, 1960
- E12 Tektites Dec 5, 1960
- E14 Episode 14
Season 5 · 11 episodes
- E1 Storms in the Sun Jan 30, 1961
- E2 Life on Mars Mar 20, 1961
- E3 Life on the Moon? Apr 24, 1961
- E4 Venus May 15, 1961
- E5 Radio Astronomy and the Amateur Jun 5, 1961
- E6 Cosmic Debris Jul 10, 1961
- E7 Saturn Live? Aug 21, 1961
- E8 Astronomy in Space Sep 18, 1961
- E9 Has the Earth Three Moons? Oct 30, 1961
- E10 How Many Stars in the Pleiades? Nov 22, 1961
- E11 A Telescope for Christmas Dec 20, 1961
Frequently asked questions
What is the show about?
The program covers the latest thinking on space and provides guidance on what to observe in the night sky.
How often are new episodes released?
The series follows a monthly release schedule.
Is the content suitable for beginners?
The show explores the world of astronomy in a way that provides insights into space for its audience.
Does the show cover specific space events?
It features the latest thinking on what is currently happening in space.
What is the primary focus of the series?
The focus is on the fascinating world of space, astronomy, and night sky observation.