It’s hard to believe that a quarter-century has passed since my debut on The Sky at Night, where I was just a nervous student in my first suit, answering questions like, "Why do we have seasons?" and "What is dark energy?" Today, while some queries remain unchanged, the landscape of space science has transformed dramatically.

The format of our show has evolved as well. It began in the bustling confines of BBC Television Centre in London, with producers guiding us through and camera operators deftly maneuvering around. Nowadays, we've transitioned to filming in the cozy environment of Patrick's home and have even ventured around the globe—mostly within the UK.

Revolutionary Changes in Astronomy

In the past 25 years, professional astronomy has embraced a multi-messenger approach, integrating data from gravitational wave observatories and particle studies with traditional methods. Yet, the most remarkable transformation is what amateur astronomers can accomplish from their backyards, producing breathtaking astrophotography with surprisingly modest gear.

Exoplanets: The New Frontier

The universe has revealed an astonishing array of thousands of exoplanets since I first joined the show. The most significant breakthrough? Understanding that these distant worlds are not rare but rather commonplace within our galaxy. We often explore the pursuit of Earth-like planets and delve into the fascinating diversity of the systems we've discovered, each offering clues about the formation and evolution of our own Solar System.

The Red Planet and Beyond

Mars, our neighboring planet, has become a focal point of exploration thanks to remarkable rovers like Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity, and Perseverance. These missions, alongside high-tech orbiters, have unearthed a complex and intriguing Martian history. Meanwhile, Cassini's spectacular journey through Saturn’s system, including the Huygens probe landing on Titan and discovering Enceladus’s geysers, has expanded our knowledge of gas giants immensely.

Unlocking the Mysteries of the Solar System

From the icy landscapes of Pluto revealed by New Horizons to the dynamic surfaces of asteroids like Bennu and Ryugu, every exploration yields new enigmas that challenge our understanding. As we navigate funding challenges, this era may well be remembered as a golden age of planetary discovery.

The Game-Changer: JWST

With the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) now in orbit, we've witnessed a revolution in our ability to view the cosmos. Its discoveries have surpassed our expectations, from observing primitive galaxies to capturing detailed exoplanetary spectra.

The Quest for Understanding the Universe

However, cosmology remains a particularly stubborn field, with the fundamental mysteries of dark matter and dark energy still elusive. Despite the efforts of the Planck mission to map the cosmic microwave background, progress has felt stagnant, leaving many questions where they started.

Yet, hope lingers as a new generation of experiments is on the horizon. If fortune favors us, the next 25 years could herald a deeper comprehension of the universe's grand scale, and I remain eager to continue this cosmic journey with The Sky at Night, sharing these discoveries.