Patrick Moore in the 1950s; Moore argued against Lord Dowding and other UFO proponents. He was invited to present a live astronomy programme and said the greatest difficulty was finding an appropriate theme tune; the opening of Jean Sibelius's "Pelléas et Mélisande" was chosen and used throughout the programme's existence. The programme was originally named "Star Map" before "The Sky at Night" was chosen in the "Radio Times". On 24 April 1957, at 10:30 pm, Moore presented the first episode about the Comet Arend–Roland. The programme was pitched to casual viewers up to professional astronomers, in a format which remained consistent from
BBC Sky at Night BBC Sky at Night BBC Sky at Night magazine is a British monthly magazine about astronomy aimed at amateur astronomers and published by Immediate Media Company. Its title is taken from the television program produced by the BBC, "The Sky at Night". The magazine, in comparison with the TV series, includes more technical and scientific information. It also includes a bonus CD-ROM with software programs, latest astronomical photographs, written materials and in some issues, a 'classic' episode of "The Sky at Night" from the BBC archives. "BBC Sky at Night" was launched in 2005. The first issue, which featured Patrick