Stargazing Live BBC2 NOW

[MAN or ASTROMAN]

Didn't bother watching it last night,and judging by the responses here,I don't even think that I'll bother with it on I-Player.

As I feared "Three days of ISS",just as I predicted.

What a waste of what COULD be a worthwhile T.V. project.

ANNOYED!!!

[Owmuchonomy]

To be honest, I don't think we're really the target audience. One of the key aims of this type of programme seems to be to inspire the audeince to want to find out more. We're already hooked!

If getting a comedian or other celeb in to help attract the target audience works with their target audience, who am I to argue.

Spot on Michael. JB completely justified his presence when he described why he got into amateur astronomy.

[Astroboffin]

I found the after show better than the main show, and to be honest I have done every year, so for me as I said earlier in this thread, the fact that the after show was only on last night and there are no more this week, it has ruined it, so no questions to send in and be answered which they have done every year, so The title is "Stargazing live" there is no stargazing and with all the VT's they show, then less than 15 mins of the 1 hour is actually live......go figure

Even the bits with Major Tim on the ISS were recorded before the show went on air, because they will not let him stay up after 8pm because of his upcoming space walk, (they go by GMT on the ISS), and this is true as Prof Brian Cox said so on the main show......unbelievable

AB

[Laurie61]

I recorded the show and watched it later, mostly fast forward through the ISS content. The Pluto info was OK, there was better material about the ISS on the after show including the recoilless hammer, clever.

Maybe this program should make use of the Red button with the other feeds showing live video from several scopes, from the astro group outside, when the weather permits ?  

[101nut]

Year after year I hear the same criticism - "... but it's Stargazing LIVE". I totally agree and still have no idea why it hasn't been renamed - "Stargazing 2016" followed by "Stargazing Live" (the extra bit) would be more appropriate. 

However, I can see that the programme is aimed at about 60% of the country. That audience isn't us! It's people who leave the tv on for some eye candy, people who think they may be a bit interested in spacey stuff, and those who like looking at the presenters. Most of us here are part of the 'knowledgable' 20% that either know enough to want more 'formal content' or are too knowlegable to bother watching at all.

As long as it's hitting its target audience that's fine for the BBC. Whether, as a science 'education' programme, it's challenging enough to the audience is probably a valid question. It's on too late for kids yet a lot of it is perfect school material ... odd.

AndyG

[LukeSkywatcher]

The only part of the annual show i really like and enjoy is the "after show"......back down to Earth. 

[Ian123]

I caught up with the "Down to Earth" on iPlayer this morning and thought it better than the main prog. They're both on an hour too late IMHO, I'd rather they were on at 8 o/c like spring / Autumn Watch.

I find the whole obsession with Tim and the ISS a bit sad really, that we should have to make such a fuss about something that should be no more out of the ordinary than a 6 month tour in Antarctica.

au contraire my dear fellow, we should be making a huge fuss about a fellow Brit on ISS, and to compare a six month space mission to an expedition in the Antarctic, well, i don't know what to say to that.

Regardless of whatever content we should agree on, i am just pleased that a terrestrial broadcaster is putting out programmes of this nature and i think we all agree there should be a lot more of this ilk on our screens to encourage the youngsters into the science field.

[popeye85]

to be honest I was disapointed by it aswell (mainly due to to much iss) but instead of moning about I am celebrating the fact that this great hobby has not only got its own show but a show that is getting broadcast live-if the BBC and Brian Cox can continue the work that Sir Patrick started then what on earth is there to complain about!!!

[DaveS]

au contraire my dear fellow, we should be making a huge fuss about a fellow Brit on ISS, and to compare a six month space mission to an expedition in the Antarctic, well, i don't know what to say to that.

Regardless of whatever content we should agree on, i am just pleased that a terrestrial broadcaster is putting out programmes of this nature and i think we all agree there should be a lot more of this ilk on our screens to encourage the youngsters into the science field.

Possibly you misunderstood what I was getting at, or more likely, I didn't phrase it as well as I intended. What I meant was, that by now (2016) a 6 month stint on a space station should be so routine (Like a stint in the Antarctic) as to not raise an eyebrow. I'm full of admiration for Tim for getting up there, but again, the fact that we *are* making a fuss is a sad indictment of the state of space exploration in general, and our role in it in particular.

End of rant, back OT/

[ChrisLX200]

Why are members of Liverpool AS stood outside with scopes when there's not a chance in hell of a clear sky, in fact rain/sleet/snow forecast for the entire night?

ChrisH

[Stavros]

I must admit I really like the show, I find it engaging.

Who can complain about an Astronomy showing at prime time from a major broadcaster. It'll capture the imaginations of new comer's and those with a passing interest, that can't be a bad thing. Lets not forget its not in the show's interests to talk above the audience... It needs to talk to all levels, new and experienced.  

[andrew63]

I've enjoyed the show - excellent with Lucy broadcasting live images of Orion to passer-bys.

andrew

[Steve Ward]

Why are members of Liverpool AS stood outside with scopes when there's not a chance in hell of a clear sky, in fact rain/sleet/snow forecast for the entire night?

ChrisH

Cos if they left them unattended for thirty seconds they'd all disappear into some scally's Transit ... 

[Cuffbertt]

I think I'm the kind of person that the show is aimed at, as I know nothing about astronomy but I've always been curious about it. I found last nights show to be really interesting and it definitely made me want to look into it all more. I've been reading about the different types of telescopes today and think I'll likely end up getting one in the coming weeks.

I looked into getting a telescope a few years ago (hence why I've been a member on here for a while), but life got in the way and it got put on hold! Thankfully this show has made me want to revisit the idea

I don't think today's episode was quite as good as yesterdays mind, but it was still interesting!

[Peter Drew]

I would think that the Liverpool Society members stood out in the rain for the same reasons as those from Macclesfield did. They had hoped to inject some Stargazing live into the programme and highlight the activities of their Society.

[Gina]

I thought tonight's episode was better than last night's.

[ChrisLX200]

I would think that the Liverpool Society members stood out in the rain for the same reasons as those from Macclesfield did. They had hoped to inject some Stargazing live into the programme and highlight the activities of their Society.

A rather forlorn hope given the forecast and there seemed to be no Plan B for bad weather on the night. Given the opportunity I'm certain either society could have put on an impressive static display indoors, but the BBC wanted to run it all 'their way' instead of handing over a little control to the real stargazers for 10 minutes.

ChrisH

[Uranium235]

Should be better Thur and Fri as there will actually be some stars to look at - which is the irony really.... because I will be outside, rather than looking at the gogglebox - I'll catch up on i-player probably. Odd that there is only going to be one aftershow, with nothing planned for tonight, tomorrow, or Fri. It beats the usual dross of cooking shows anyway!

Still, im not complaining as anything that gets astronomy on (fairly) mainstream TV is a good thing.

[Paul M]

I missed all of Tuesday's show and only caught a few bits of Wednesdays show due to being at work. I made a brew settled down for a break and the phone rang to spoil my shift so never really settled to the bit I did see.

Beyond watching it pass overhead I've got virtually zero interest in iss as a spectator sport. Actually, it's something of a pet hate of mine.

I first encountered John Bishop at Manchester's comedy store where he was very, very funny but he's just a celebrity now...another pet hate of mine, celebrity!

Poor old Stargazing live hasn't got much going for it this time round.

Time for a name change so I don't mistake it for something I might like next time...

[jason.p]

I thought tonight's episode was better than last night's.

Yes, I thought so too esp the section on Orion. It was good to see the public brought in and made aware of the amazing things to be seen just by looking up, even in a light polluted city! A bit more of this and much less of minor celebs undergoing so called "space training" would be a huge improvement.

I suppose it has to aim at a broad audience, but if it's called "Stargazing Live" that's really what it should be.

Accepting all this, given a choice of this or Eastenders......well, no contest!!

[andrew63]

The weather seems set fair for tonights programme, so hopefully they will get some nice live views of the sky.

andrew

[beamer3.6m]

I love this thread every year. Classic comments.

I was quite disappointed with springwatch this year. There were no springs being watched! I had hoped for a rear coil spring from a mark 3 escort. Won't be watching again. They MUST change the title of this show to animal watch.

[DaveS]

Some good stargazing now, their skies have cleared.

[theclearskiesofthemoon]

I love this thread every year. Classic comments.

I was quite disappointed with springwatch this year. There were no springs being watched! I had hoped for a rear coil spring from a mark 3 escort. Won't be watching again. They MUST change the title of this show to animal watch.

I remember watchting that show and being disappointed too. I was really looking forward to the best new watch for the spring season. And they got me again last autumn.

[happy-kat]

Found tonight's show good.