BBC Four presents a special episode of The Sky at Night, airing on Monday night. This annual Question Time Special is a unique opportunity for viewers to have their most pressing questions about the universe answered by a panel of experts.
Host Dallas Campbell guides regular presenters Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Chris Lintott, and George Dransfield, alongside Prof Raman Prinja from University College London and Dr Heloise Stevance from Oxford University, through a range of captivating topics. The panel explores the mysteries of the oldest galaxies, the search for habitable Earth-like planets, and the fate of our planetary neighbours when the sun eventually meets its end.
Resident astronomer Pete Lawrence adds to the discussion with his guide to the stars for the coming months and poses a thought-provoking question of his own. The nature of the oldest galaxies is examined, considering what we observe and how we know they are ancient.
The discussion looks into the search for habitable planets similar to Earth and contemplates the effects of the stars these planets orbit. The panel also contemplates the distant future, speculating about the potential consequences for Earth and its neighbouring planets when our sun eventually dies out.
The special episode also addresses hard-hitting questions that spark fascinating debates on contemporary issues. These include the role of commercial companies in space exploration and the potential for international collaboration in space to set a positive example for politics on Earth.
Filmed during the British Science Festival at the University of East London, this episode not only provides insightful answers to audience questions but also takes viewers on a journey through the local astronomical history of the festival’s host location.
The Sky at Night: Question Time Special airs on Monday, 7 October 2024, at 10:00 pm on BBC Four.
