Star Diary
Episodes
ASTHROS: the stratospheric balloon observatory
25 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
NASA’s Jose Siles discusses ASTHROS, a new mission that will see a 2.5m telescope attached to a helium balloon and sent into the stratosphere, in or...
Galaxies
19 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What are the different types of galaxies, and how have astronomers studied them over the years? Also this episode, we speak to Andrew Griffith MP, co-...
Interview: Life on Venus?
18 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Could life exist elsewhere in the Solar System? Astronomers have announced the presence of phosphine in the clouds of Venus, which could be evidence o...
Interview: Libby Jackson on the history of human spaceflight
03 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We talk to Libby Jackson – one of the UK's leading experts in human spaceflight and author of Space Explorers: 25 stories of space exploration and a...
The life and death of stars
13 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We reveal how stars are born, evolve and die, and discover that a star's mass determines its ultimate fate. Plus, we speak to astronomer Emily Cannon ...
Trident: a new mission to explore Neptune's moon Triton
10 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Neptune's icy moon Triton may host an ocean of liquid water beneath its icy surface. We spoke to planetary scientist Louise Prockter to find out about...
The End of Everything: interview with US cosmologist Katie Mack
25 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered how the Universe will end? We spoke to Dr Katie Mack to find out what it means to contemplate the final days of the cosmos. Hos...
The edge of the Solar System
16 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
How far away is the edge of the Solar System? What even is 'the edge'? How do we know it's there? In this month's episode we take a look at the outer ...
Cluster Special: marking 20 years of the European solar mission
14 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
16th July 2020 marks 20 years since the launch of the European Space Agency's Cluster mission. For two decades, Cluster has been examining how the sol...
Deflecting asteroids with DART and Hera
19 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Ahead of Asteroid Day on 30 June, we take a look at NASA's DART and ESA's Hera mission. Starting in 2022, these two missions will work together to tes...
CHEOPS: Interview with exoplanet scientist Kate Isaak
10 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The European Space Agency's CHEOPS mission is currently studying planets orbiting distant stars, known as exoplanets. We spoke to CHEOPS Project Scien...
Venus special: farewell to the evening star
21 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We bid Venus farewell as the planet begins to disappear from our evening sky, and take a look at the planetary geometry that has made it such a glorio...
WFIRST: a new era for exoplanet hunting
16 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We speak to Dr Savannah Jacklin about the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope, a new mission to discover planets orbiting distant stars using a techn...
Hubble at 30: how the space telescope changed astronomy forever
23 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Over the past three decades, the Hubble Space Telescope has revolutionised our view of the cosmos. It has given us unprecedented views of galaxies, ne...
Apollo 13 special: interview with Mission Control's Jerry Woodfill
09 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Thousands of people helped bring the three Apollo 13 astronauts home. Jerry Woodfill was working at Mission Control when the spacecraft's oxygen tank ...
Apollo 13 special: how astronauts and Mission Control averted disaster
25 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
"Houston, we've had a problem". This issue we mark the 50th anniversary of Apollo 13, revealing what went wrong and how Mission Control reacted on the...
Day Eight – Back Garden Astronomy Week: The Moon
09 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In the final episode of our special series of daily podcasts for Back Garden Astronomy Week we take a look at some of the culture and stories that hav...
Day Seven – Back Garden Astronomy Week: The Moon
08 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The Moon can look vastly different throughout the month, and so we take a look at the different ways colour and shadow can affect your lunar observing...
Day Six – Back Garden Astronomy Week: The Moon
07 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Craters are one of the Moon’s most striking features, so we tell you how to make the most of observing them. PLUS, we look at how astronomers use cr...
Day Five – Back Garden Astronomy Week: The Moon
06 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
There are lots of things to see in the night sky, but how does our biggest, brightest companion effect the view? For more info, visit www.skyatnightm...
Day Four – Back Garden Astronomy Week: The Moon
05 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Even a modest set of binoculars can really enhance your view of the lunar surface, and so we take a look at how to use them to get the most out of a c...
Day Three – Back Garden Astronomy Week: The Moon
04 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In today’s episode we use astronomical sketching as a way to help learn our way around the face of the Moon. PLUS we look at one of the most elusive...
Day Two – Back Garden Astronomy Week: The Moon
03 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Learn all about the lunar phases in the second instalment of our special series. PLUS, a simple experiment to help you explain how the phases change f...
Day One – Back Garden Astronomy Week: The Moon
02 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
To celebrate Back Garden Astronomy Week, Radio Astronomy is running a special series of daily podcasts to help you start observing the Moon. With tips...
Trailer: Back Garden Astronomy Week special series
28 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Back Garden Astronomy Week is back between 2-9 March 2020! We're running a special series of daily podcasts throughout the week telling you everything...
Europe in space: the next decade
20 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We look at the European Space Agency missions coming up over the next decade, including a crewed lunar orbiter, a spacecraft that will explore the icy...
The story of the BBC’s Horizon programme
14 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This bonus episode of Radio Astronomy is a Horizon special, as we speak to former producer Alec Nisbett to find out how the long-running BBC science p...
Pluto at 90: how Clyde Tombaugh discovered a new world
25 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode we mark the 90th anniversary of Pluto's discovery by exploring the life of US astronomer Clyde Tombaugh, and take a look at the Pluto's r...
The biggest stories of 2019 and top tips for stargazing beginners
19 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode the team look back on 2019 and discuss the big space stories that made headlines over the past 12 months, from New Horizons' Kuiper Belt ...
The biggest space missions launching in 2020
21 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode we look at the big space missions launching in 2020 that will visit the Sun and Mars. Plus, the latest from Hayabusa2 and OSIRIS-REx, and...
A look at UCL Observatory's new 80cm Perren telescope
11 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
BBC Sky at Night Magazine's staff writer Iain Todd visits University College London Observatory ahead of the unveiling of their new 80cm Perren Telesc...
Planetarium special
01 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
BBC Sky at Night Magazine’s editor Chris Bramley joins Anna Henley and Paul Cornish from the planetarium team at Bristol's We The Curious science ce...
Apollo 12, volcanic moons and cannibal galaxies
16 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This month we discuss Apollo 12 on its 50th anniversary, reveal news of an impending volcanic eruption on Jupiter's moon Io, and speak to astrophysici...
Jim Al-Khalili, OSIRIS REx, IIAPY 2019, tardigrades on the Moon
13 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode we speak to Professor Jim Al-Khalili about humanity's return to the Moon and the challenges facing our planet. Plus, the team discuss the...
Chasing comets, Indian lunar ambitions, Juno at Jupiter
19 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This month the team discuss the UK-led ESA mission to fly by a comet as it enters the Solar System, India’s new lunar spacecraft and the latest from...
Bluedot Festival 2019 special
22 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The team return to Jodrell Bank in Cheshire for a weekend of science and music at Bluedot 2019. We speak to Prof Tim O’Brien about the important ast...
Apollo 11: 50th anniversary special
15 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
50 years ago, humans set foot on the surface of the Moon for the first time. This episode the BBC Sky at Night Magazine team discuss the legacy of Apo...
Talking moonwalkers with Andrew Smith
20 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In a special episode of Radio Astronomy, we talk to Andrew Smith author of Moon Dust. In the early 2000s, Smith hunted down and talked with all nine l...
Touring the Solar System
23 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The team from BBC Sky at Night Magazine take a look at marsquakes, asteroid impacts and the secrets of the Solar System in this month’s episode. Fea...
Black holes, asteroid bombs and the solar cycle
18 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode the BBC Sky at Night Magazine team discuss the recent image of a supermassive black hole at the heart of a galaxy, and the Japanese Hayab...
Kielder Observatory Special
15 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The BBC Sky at Night Magazine team visit Kielder Observatory in Northumberland to experience truly dark skies and find out how observatory staff are s...
Light pollution, Mars rovers and Jupiter's storms
21 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In the April edition of Radio Astronomy, the crew from BBC Sky at Night Magazine look at the effects light pollution, talk about the trials and tribul...
Planet 9 in doubt, a beautiful Beehive and an aurora adventure
25 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
BBC Sky at Night Magazine’s creators discuss the latest theories about Planet 9 with physicist Antranik Sefilian, plus there’s chat about aurora h...
New Horizons and event horizons
23 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode we look at the Chinese lunar mission Chang’e 4, discuss the New Horizons flyby of Ultima Thule and wonder why a black hole isn’t as s...
Lunar eclipses, 2019’s space missions and green stars
20 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The team of BBC Sky at Night Magazine discuss lunar eclipses look at the new raft of space missions coming in 2019, including an interview with Kerri ...
2018 in review and scientific observations of Mars
21 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss the biggest space stories of 2018 including Kepler, UK rocket launches and the blood moon. Plus we hear from the British Astronomical Assoc...
Ice on the Moon, Apollo 7 and advice for new astronomers
24 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The team discuss the discovery of water on the Moon and take a look back at the Apollo 7 mission. Vatican observatory director Guy Consolmagno gives h...
NASA's Dawn mission, Holst’s Planets and water on Mars
27 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We look back on 100 years of Holst’s musical work The Planets and discuss the success of NASA’s Dawn mission at Ceres and Vesta. Plus, we speak to...
Bluedot Festival 2018 special
27 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this special edition of Radio Astronomy, we’re live at the world famous Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire for the Bluedot science and music fe...
Meteor showers and space rocks that fall to Earth
23 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Meteorite hunter Peter Jenniskens talks to us about his recent find of a meteorite in the Botswanan bush, and we reveal our stargazing tips for the Pe...
The Sun, a danger to life on Earth?
22 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Scott, Professor of Space and Atmospheric Physics at the University of Reading, speaks to us about just how dangerous solar activity is to life ...
The mission to map the Milky Way
21 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We speak to Prof Gerry Gilmore, principal investigator for the UK participation in the Gaia mission to map 1.7 billion stars in our Galaxy. The team a...
Sifting through Mars's sediment with a planetary geologist
20 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
We speak to sedimentary geologist and Curiosity mission co-investigator Prof Sanjeev Gupta of Imperial College London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/...
Bowie, Extraterrestrial Intelligence and Multi-Messenger Astrophysics
29 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this first episode of an all-new, sparkly format for Radio Astronomy we look at our favourite bits of BBC Sky at Night Magazine’s April 18 issue ...
Christmas Special: Tales from 2017
20 Dec 2017
Contributed by Lukas
What does David Bowie’s Space Oddity have to do with SpaceX, should we go back to the Moon or straight to Mars, and what is multi-messenger astrophy...
International Astronomy Show 2017 Special
19 Oct 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We report from the International Astronomy Show 2017 in Warwickshire, UK, and get the chance to talk to some of the speakers at the event, including T...
Radio Astronomy Shorts - Episode 1: Dava Sobel
21 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Iain Todd speaks to US science author Dava Sobel, host of Stargazing, a new astronomy show on the BBC World Service. She discusses the story behind th...
Radio Astronomy: Bluedot Festival 2017 Special
21 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Recorded live at Jodrell Bank Observatory, we bring you interviews with six of the speakers at 2017’s Bluedot Festival. In this episode: Antarctic m...
Episode 6: The 2016 retrospective
23 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This month: Fresh insights from the Beagle 2 Mars lander, a special end-of-year News Bingo, and how you can get to know the constellation of Orion a b...
Episode 5: So long, Schiaparelli
08 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This month: Rosetta’s mission end and newly-discovered exoplanet Proxima Centauri b. The Sky at Night’s Pete Lawrence looks at lunar occultations ...
Episode 4: Farewell Rosetta
26 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This month: Rosetta’s mission end and newly-discovered exoplanet Proxima Centauri b. The Sky at Night’s Pete Lawrence looks at lunar occultations ...
Radio Astronomy, Episode 3: Juno at Jupiter
09 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This month: The latest on the new mission to Jupiter, tips for observing the famous Perseid meteor shower, and how research in Antarctica could take u...
Episode 2: Einstein’s Vindication
08 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This month: The magic of the Moon illusion, how astronomy has changed the world we live in, and the second detection of gravitational waves Hosted on ...
Episode 1: Astronaut Driving lessons
10 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This month: Tim Peake tries his hand at driving a rover from the ISS, comedian Ben Miller on aliens and an unfortunate weasel at CERN Hosted on Acast....