Seven Hundred

The other Space-related programme of note last week was, of course, the 700th edition of The Sky at Night.

The Seven Hundredth.

The series began on 26th April 1957. That was several months before Sputnik I was launched into space (that occurred on October 4th of the same year). In Patrick Moore’s words “Almost overnight Astronomy became headline news…”

And Patrick Moore (or rather Sir Patrick) has presented all 700 of the shows, over a period of 53 years. A completely unparalleled record.

So, and justifiably, the tone of the 700th show was wholly self-congratulatory, regarding both the Sky at Night and its presenter.

The notion was that there would be clips and amusing videos, held together by a group session answering viewers’ questions. PM sat in state and was surrounded by acolytes and guests, answering the queries read out by John Culshaw – who occasionally slipped into his fine PM impersonation. He also proved to be reasonably knowledgeable himself, when he added in the occasional supplementary question.

Visitors included Brians May & Cox, various other ‘friends of the programme,’ and the Astronomer Royal. Martin Rees indeed only appeared for just a few questions on cosmology, and there was a sense – an overtone - that he’d been summoned up by the great Sir Patrick.  He didn't quite seem to fit in - he isn't a great populariser or explainer (well, not by comparison).

The overall flavour was too smug, perhaps, but to be fair it is an awesome achievement. And every so often the brusque, waspish elements of Moore’s personality came to the fore, affording some relief as well as serving as a reminder of his usual focused attention and rigour – even at the age of 88.

When the team were asked: “Why does the Moon rotate at the same speed as the Earth?” he was first out of the blocks with a curt “It doesn’t!” before relenting and explaining what the questioner had intended, and then answering the question. And there was some enjoyable play made with his trademark “We Just Don’t Know.“

His speedy diction is somewhat hampered now, as he slurs his speech, and he seems to be chair-bound. But every so often, usually when showing a new image of somewhere up there, the programme still captures and shares the romance of space. And it is still true that it is one of the few sciences where amateurs can play a significant part.