Spanning over two and a half decades on BBC's astronomy program, The Sky at Night, I've witnessed some of the most significant achievements in space exploration and science
Over the past 25 years, astronomy has witnessed significant advancements and discoveries across multiple domains, from black holes to exoplanets, cosmic explosions, and space missions.
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a key player in these advancements, recently identified the oldest known black hole, CAPERS-LRD-z9, dating back over 13.3 billion years. This black hole, with a mass about 38 million times that of the Sun, offers clues about early galaxy evolution[1].
Another significant breakthrough has been the explosion in exoplanet discoveries. Nearly 6,000 confirmed exoplanets have been catalogued using varied techniques, with astrometry, once unproductive, now becoming more effective in recent years[4].
Advances in space exploration and technology have also been noteworthy. Projects like Breakthrough Starshot, aiming to send spacecraft to the nearest star system Alpha Centauri, and ideas about using asteroids as protective bases for human missions to Mars, are pushing the boundaries of what is possible[2].
The development of new observational tools and facilities has also played a crucial role. The construction of underwater neutrino telescopes (KM3NeT) in the Mediterranean will allow detection of high-energy neutrinos, opening new windows into cosmic phenomena[5].
Expanding exploration of the solar system has also been a focus. Recent missions have collected samples from the Moon’s far side and sent probes to moons like Europa, marking major steps in understanding our local cosmic neighborhood[5].
The starkest change in astronomy in 25 years has been in what amateur astronomers can achieve from their back gardens. With advances in technology, astrophotographers can now do astounding things with relatively modest equipment, whether looking at the deep sky or nearby planets[6].
The show The Sky at Night, which has travelled the world but mostly in the UK, has been a constant companion throughout this transformative period. The speaker, who first appeared on the show 25 years ago, has witnessed and contributed to many of these advancements. From discussing viewers' questions like 'Why are there seasons?' and 'What, precisely, is dark energy?' to learning from our neighbouring planets, the show has been an engaging and educational platform[7].
From the vast studio at BBC Television Centre in west London, to Patrick's home at Farthings, The Sky at Night has been a beacon of astronomical knowledge and discovery[3]. As it continues to explore the mysteries of the universe, it remains a testament to the enduring fascination of astronomy and the human spirit's unquenchable thirst for knowledge.
References: 1. http://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04745-1 2. https://breakthroughinitiatives.org/projects/starshot 3. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007k3z6 4. https://arxiv.org/abs/2002.08106 5. https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-s-james-webb-space-telescope-to-revolutionize-our-understanding-of-the-universe 6. https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/features/astrophotography/what-can-i-photograph-with-my-modest-equipment/ 7. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007k3z6
- These significant advancements and discoveries in astronomy over the past 25 years have extended beyond black holes, to include the identification of the oldest known black hole, CAPERS-LRD-z9, by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
- The explosion in exoplanet discoveries is another notable achievement, with nearly 6,000 confirmed exoplanets catalogued using various techniques, including astrometry, which has become more productive in recent years.
- Advances in space exploration and technology have also been noteworthy, with projects like Breakthrough Starshot aiming to send spacecraft to the Alpha Centauri star system, and ideas about using asteroids as protective bases for human missions to Mars.
- The development of new observational tools and facilities, such as underwater neutrino telescopes (KM3NeT) in the Mediterranean, has opened new windows into cosmic phenomena.
- Expanding exploration of the solar system has been a focus, with recent missions collecting samples from the Moon’s far side and sending probes to moons like Europa, marking major steps in understanding our local cosmic neighborhood.
- The advancements in technology have also enabled amateur astronomers to do astounding things from their back gardens, whether looking at the deep sky or nearby planets, a stark change from 25 years ago.
