Star Diary

By BBC Sky at Night MagazineScience Astronomy

Star Diary episodes

May 16, 2020 WFIRST: a new era for exoplanet hunting
We speak to Dr Savannah Jacklin about the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope, a new mission to discover planets orbiting distant stars using a technique predicted by Einstein over 100 years ago.
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23 min
April 23, 2020 Hubble at 30: how the space telescope changed astronomy forever
Over the past three decades, the Hubble Space Telescope has revolutionised our view of the cosmos. It has given us unprecedented views of galaxies, nebulae, new-born stars and planets, revealing clues about the nature of dark energy, supermassive black holes and the expansion of the Universe. This episode we look at how the mission was conceived, how astronauts repaired its faulty mirror, and some of the highlights from 30 years of incredible science.

But we also look to the future. NASA scientist Eric Smith tells us about Hubble's successor, the James Webb Space Telescope, and how it is set to carry the observing baton.

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56 min
April 09, 2020 Apollo 13 special: interview with Mission Control's Jerry Woodfill
Thousands of people helped bring the three Apollo 13 astronauts home. Jerry Woodfill was working at Mission Control when the spacecraft's oxygen tank exploded, and was responsible for the onboard alarm system that led to the crew uttering the immortal words “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” This episode, Jerry talks to us about what it was like working at NASA during the rescue and throughout the Apollo Program.

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52 min
March 25, 2020 Apollo 13 special: how astronauts and Mission Control averted disaster
"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 ground. We also take a look at what science goals Apollo 13 might have achieved, had everything gone to plan. Plus, Professor Jason Wright discusses NEID, a new instrument that can measure the masses of exoplanets.
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51 min
March 09, 2020 Day Eight – Back Garden Astronomy Week: The Moon
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 have grown up around the Moon. If the series has inspired you to get involved with lunar observing or astronomy in general, you can still get your free guide fromwww.skyatnightmagazine.com/backgarden.
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9 min
March 08, 2020 Day Seven – Back Garden Astronomy Week: The Moon
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 experience. For more info, visit www.skyatnightmagazine.com/backgarden.
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8 min
March 07, 2020 Day Six – Back Garden Astronomy Week: The Moon
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 craters to date the age of the lunar surface. For more info, visit www.skyatnightmagazine.com/backgarden.
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9 min
March 06, 2020 Day Five – Back Garden Astronomy Week: The Moon
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.skyatnightmagazine.com/backgarden.
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8 min
March 05, 2020 Day Four – Back Garden Astronomy Week: The Moon
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 clear night’s view of the Moon. For more info, visit www.skyatnightmagazine.com/backgarden.
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8 min
March 04, 2020 Day Three – Back Garden Astronomy Week: The Moon
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 lunar sights to catch – clair obscure. For more info, visit www.skyatnightmagazine.com/backgarden.
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8 min