Sky @ Night to be axed??

[JB80]

There have been some strong rumours lately that the BBC are going to can the Sky at Night tv show later in the year and even a facebook group and an online petition have been set up in response.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1398459717050634/permalink/1398877363675536/
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/the-bbc-please-do-not-axe-the-sky-at-night

It now would appear that these rumours are true following confirmation on twitter from Nick Howes who says he has been given permission to disclose it.
https://twitter.com/NickAstronomer

If the BBC do axe the show in December then what a lovely way to memoralize one of Sir Patrick Moores greatest achievements on the first anniversary of his passing.

I realise that the S@N screens mainly on UK television but it is also screened all across the world and many of us have enjoyed watching the show across it's 55 year history and I think it's important that everyone who has ever watched the show should have a voice in this too.

Please share and sign the links above if you can.
:)

[jjjnettie]

I read that just before. If it is axed, I hope they will replace the program with something similar.
Just look at how popular the Star Gazing Live is. It would be great if they could expand that format.

[JB80]

It will be an absolute shame if they do, it has been confirmed now that the December episode is to be the last one.
I agree that they could easily replace it with something similar, frankly they should given some of the specialist content they give air time to.

I think Stargazing Live is a great example of how popular the genre is and while that's a good show it's only a one off. I don't think a few one off specials would count as a good replacement.

[BPO]

Dancing with the Stars, maybe?

[brian nordstrom]

:thumbsup: Just signed , I hope its all 'Pie in the SKY' .
Brian.

[Wavytone]

To be quite frank the show has become a bit pointless in the UK - after spending 10 weeks there I can confirm most people can't see anything in the night sky.

6 nights out of 7 its overcast or raining and the rare night that is fairly clear of clouds showed that the smog and light pollution are so bad that even in a "dark" country location (the Peak district) the limiting mag for stars is about 3, and the Andromeda galaxy cannot be seen naked eye.

It isn't until you go north into the Cairngorms and further north in the highlands that the sky improves, but the weather deteriorates. Scotland is not a place for stargazing.

Among other things the trip reinforced my view that down-under we are very, very, lucky indeed in terms of lifestyle and the opportunities for outdoor recreation including stargazing.

[brian nordstrom]

:shrug: Yes , that's true but that has nothing to do with the BBC's thinking about axing the show ( think its that bugger $$$$'s as usual ) , this is the longest running TV show in the history of TV .
It allows those poor sods up there to at least get a bit of an idea about whats up there , they travel all over the world for segments as well .
Brian.

[astroron]

Wavy,if what you say is true:question: then the program wasted it's time for the last 52 years,also the other program as well.
That there are quite a few astronomy clubs in the UK,some that have been going for over a century.
The Webb Society regulely put out observations by amateurs, And huge amount of Supernova discoveries have been done by amateur astronomers in the UK.
That there are also a couple of astronomy magazines published in the UK as well.
So it is not at all as bleak as a spoilt astronomer;) from downunder makes out.
That they don't have the pristine sky as we do in Australia, but even here a lot of you have to get away from the big cities to do your observing, so it's not all roses here either.
Cheers:thumbsup:

[blink138]

sounds just like perth actually!
pat

[JB80]

Thanks for showing an interest and signing all. :)

I think wavy has a point in a way, I'm always staggered by the level on interest for astronomy in the UK considering the weather makes it extremely tough.
I have no doubt that a lot of this is because of having access to a monthly dedicated astro show over the years.

Here is a statement that Nick Howes released following the kerfuffle that blew up yesterday. All maybe not lost but this is the prime time to influence any producers mind before it becomes signed into action.

I have been told officially by a BBC insider that the Sky at Night will be airing for the final time this December. After a 56 year run, the show will be ending then, with no plan to re-commission it after that date. I have also been given permission by the said BBC person to mention this on a public forum, after speaking to them twice in the last week to discuss and confirm the information is accurate.

My personal take on this, is that as with many great institutions, and programmes on TV, the personality behind them, in this case, Sir Patrick, was and will always be the driving force/association. As with shows like Springwatch, which went from an obscure slot on BBC to a prime-time slot with a revamp/rehash and refresh of presenters, I do firmly believe that there is mileage in a public facing astronomy show, one only has to look at the phenomenal success of Stargazing Live or Brian Cox's Wonder's series to recognise that fact.

Whilst viewing figures for the Sky at Night have held since the sad death of Sir Patrick, maybe it is a good time to reflect and see what positive can come from this. Having been on the show several times, and interviewed by Chris/Patrick etc, and known Patrick for many years, it's sad.. but not unexpected. So, let's see what positives can come , moving forward.

Maybe a revamp, maybe a totally new show, but astronomy in the UK is thriving, and the BBC I hope will recognise this and continue in a strong and positive manner to engage the public in the wonder that is our Universe.

Nick has taken a lot of flack for this on social media.

Also as a side note, when we were in the highlands of Scotland it was not only the best skies I had see in Europe but the weather was much better than my time spent in Belgium.

[AstralTraveller]

I visited the Great Birr Telescope in Ireland about 10 years ago and commented to the person running the place about the problems with cloud and how it's amazing they did anything. The person running place said that lots of the persistent high-level haze is actually amalgamated con-trails from all the trans-Atlantic jets and so things were better in the 19th C. I don't know if that is true or whether it applies to England but I could see how it might be true. Even then, I read somewhere that they got the most clear skies in winter, when frost was falling. Great.

Yes, I don't believe there is anywhere else where you can get the combination of great outdoors, an (often ;)) suitable climate, ease of access but still relatively few people and relative safety (our search and rescue is as good as anywhere and no one shoots at you).

[AstralTraveller]

This seems plausible and I hope it happens. If S@N has to go I think there should be a replacement. How did S@N rate in the UK?

[JB80]

I hope so too, I think if there is a big enough backlash they might rethink their plans.
To be honest I don't know apart from it has always rated steady, even after SPMs passing the ratings didn't drop. I don't think it was all that bad considering it's late time slot.
I'll see if I can chase up the figures.

Also maybe Suzy could link the petition and FB page through the FB feed. That would be great if possible. :)

It's up to 1500 signatures in just under 24 hours.

[Camelopardalis]

Very sad indeed, if that's how it works out. Can't say that it would be a commercial hit for them but they do stick it on about midnight. You would think that since everyone is legally obliged to pay for the BBC (if you own a TV) that they would have to pamper to special interest groups, such as us, especially a it's educational. Apparently not :mad2:

Btw, the night sky up there isn't as bad as Wavy makes out...it's just that Aussies are spoilt :D sure the weather is a challenge, but that only makes British astronomers more determined. Star parties have to weigh heavily on the party :D As for light pollution, it can be pretty bad with 60+ million people in an area about half the size of Victoria, with 85% of folk living in cities. Mag 3 in the Peaks? Just a bad night. I used to be able to catch Mag 4 starlight from under the Heathrow flight path...

[atkinsonr]

If it wasn't for S@N, I don't think I'd have discovered Astronomy.

[atkinsonr]

Absolutely. I grew up in Cornwall (South West England) and the transatlantic air traffic was thick.

It would turn an otherwise bluebird day into a light blue haze. You rarely get the deep blue skies we get here - except for when the jetstreams were blowing really hard.

[Chris85]

Would the magazine stop as well, or is that a separate entity?

[JB80]

The magazine or quite a few bbc mags were bought out a little while ago.
I doubt that would stop as it's a solid reader base.

[jjjnettie]

I was fortunate enough to have been invited to join the online "campaign room".
Things are really starting to hot up now.

BBC Somerset have asked to talk to a representative of our group and Change.org are fully behind us and are doing a press release for the cause. :)
We need approx 1200 more signatures.

[jjjnettie]

Jarrod, I reposted the petition. Hoping to jag a few more signatures with a double posting. :)

[PeterM]

And now this, it would seem poor old Sir Patrick wont get his wish.
I remain a loyal Sir Patrick fan. He and his Sky at Night did much for amateur and professional astronomy, sadly missed.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2424797/RICHARD-KAY-Sir-Patrick-Moore-shrine-ditched-Queen-guitarist-Brian-May.html

[jjjnettie]

500 new signatures in the last 40 minutes!!!! Amazing!!

[JB80]

I had trouble trying to find the numbers so I'm going to go with what one of the hosts just tweeted.

Total viewing figures for a typical Sky at Night, across BBC1, BBC2 and BBC4 : roughly a million. Just saying.

https://twitter.com/chrislintott/status/382867167307251713