BBC Radio 4 Extra

Cosmic Quest

Cosmic Quest: Episode 26: A Star Is Born

Factual: History

Factual: Science & Nature

Episode 26

Episode 26: A Star Is Born

A Star Is Born

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Cosmic Quest, A Star Is Born

Heather Couper looks at William Herschel's discovery of infrared radiation in 1800.

Heather Couper looks at William Herschel's discovery of infrared radiation in 1800 and its impact on astronomy today. From June 2008.

Heather Couper presents a narrative history of astronomy.

Infrared radiation was discovered by William Herschel two centuries ago, but only recently has infrared astronomy come of age. Infrared is able to peer inside dark clouds that mask regions of the galaxy such as the Orion Nebula from optical telescopes. Within these clouds we can now see the processes through which the gas clouds contract, heat up and ignite to give birth to a new generation of stars.

Readers are Timothy West, Robin Sebastian, Julian Rhind-Tutt and John Palmer.

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Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Heather Couper presents a narrative history of astronomy

Astronomer Heather Couper charts the history of our growing understanding of the universe and progress of astronomy.

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