The Sky at Night: 1969
Season 13 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of The Sky at Night Season 12.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 13 Progress Shield
The Moon - A New Era
Jan 27, 1969
Man has just taken his first close look at the moon, and in a few months American spacecraft are expected to bring back samples of the moon's crust for analysis. At this turning p
How Much Can You See?
Feb 24, 1969
Without a telescope can you see the phases of Venus? The little star Alcor? The Great Nebula in Andromeda? Patrick Moore discusses what can or cannot be seen without telescopes an
Jupiter, the Giant Planet
Mar 24, 1969
Jupiter is specially brilliant this month, but it is so remote that many of its mysteries are still unsolved. Patrick Moore discusses them with Terence Moseley Two bright planets
The Moon and the Earth
Apr 21, 1969
Is it unlucky to see the new moon through glass? The moon has always been thought to have a powerful influence on the earth, causing not only tides but also good luck, bad luck, an
Mars Target Two
May 19, 1969
Two American spacecraft will fly past the planet Mars this summer and send back information which may help to answer the long-debated question, 'Is there life on Mars?' Patrick Mo
When Venus Crosses the Sun
Jun 16, 1969
Unique scientific observations are made on the rare occasions when Venus 'transits' - or crosses - the sun. Tonight's programme marks the bicentenary of Captain Cook's voyage to th
The Needles of Space
Jul 14, 1969
Meteors and meteorites travel around space in their millions. A few reach the earth but most are burnt up in our atmosphere. Astronauts in space suits, moon bases and manned satell
The Weather of Mars
Aug 11, 1969
Does it ever rain on Mars? Are there clouds, winds, and storms? The Mariner probes have sent back new, fascinating information about the Red Planet, but even now there are many pro
Relativity
Sep 9, 1969
It is now over fifty years since Einstein astounded the worlds scientists with his revolutionary theories of Relativity. Patrick Moore discusses with Professor Samuel Tolansky the
Stars that Come and Go
Oct 7, 1969
Most stars remain unchanging over huge periods of time; but some continually vary in brightness. Only long observation can reveal their secrets, and much of this patient work is do
The Moons of Saturn
Nov 4, 1969
Patrick Moore describes The Moons of Saturn. Why are Saturn's 10 satellites so different from each other? Why does one of them orbit in the opposite direction from the others, and
The Grand Tour
Dec 2, 1969
In the late 1970s a spacecraft may be sent on a 'tour' of four of the outer planets - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune - using the gravity and orbital speed of each to boost it
A 'Sky at Night' Special 1969 - Year of Space
Dec 24, 1969
'I believe 1969 may turn out the most famous year in all history.' So says Patrick Moore who, this afternoon, surveys the space highlights and astronomical achievements of 1969. H