1963 · 12 episodes
January 23, 1963
1963 promises to be an exciting year for astronomy and space exploration. Patrick Moore forecasts some of the possible highlights.
February 20, 1963
A Russian astronomer has suggested that the two moons of Mars might be artificial space stations. Patrick Moore discusses the peculiarities of the Red Planet's satellites and considers whether they might be used as staging points for future manned exploration of Mars.
March 20, 1963
Patrick Moore and Howard Miles Director of the Artificial Satellite Section of the British Astronomical Association discuss the American space probe Mariner II and its remarkable new findings about the planet Venus.
April 14, 1963
Patrick Moore talks about the exploding star or nova in the constellation of Hercules which was recently discovered by an amateur astronomer in Sweden, and discusses the sequence of events which leads to these tremendous celestial catastrophes.
May 17, 1963
Patrick Moore discusses with Anthony Michaelis how over the years many writers' fantasies, like Bishop Godwin's voyage to the Moon of A.D. 1657, are now becoming reality, and whether other favourite theories of science fiction - anti-gravity, for instance - may in turn become fact.
June 12, 1963
American astronomers have just reported the discovery of a planet moving round a near star. It is now believed that similar planet families must be common in space. Patrick Moore discusses the latest theories about how planets come into being.
July 16, 1963
It used to be thought that the moon had been a dead world for millions of years. Now Russian observers have reported traces of volcanic activity in two craters. Patrick Moore discusses the evidence with Dr. T. M. Sugden, F.R.S. and considers how it affects theories of the moon's present state.
August 13, 1963
Patrick Moore and Professor C. W. Allen of London University show and discuss a remarkable film of the sun.
September 10, 1963
Patrick Moore discusses with Arthur C. Clarke, one of the pioneer thinkers of space exploration, how his ideas have developed as he has seen the reality happen, and in particular what will be the problems of organising a manned base on the moon.
October 11, 1963
Following the re-measurement of the distance to the nearest star system-the Andromeda Galaxy-as 2.2 million light years, Patrick Moore discusses with Henry Brinton how these enormous distances are calculated.
November 8, 1963
Patrick Moore discusses the recent unusual happenings observed in the surface markings of the giant planet Jupiter.
December 13, 1963
The stars have always compelled men's attention. Patrick Moore and Colin Ronan discuss some of the extraordinary legends attached to them in the past.