Thu, Sep 18, 2008
Earth's magnetosphere, which shields us from deadly solar radiation is decaying rapidly. When it collapses, as Mars's did billions of years ago, Earth will be stripped of its atmosphere, water and life. This episode explores new evidence that the Earth's magnetic poles are on the verge of reversing. As it does, Earth's magnetosphere will weaken greatly for thousands of years, allowing solar radiation to penetrate to the Earth's surface. This will threaten many species, including man, with extinction. In 2010 three satellites will be launched to detect minute variations in field strength and identify any new areas of pole reversal. For mankind to survive, we must develop technological methods of protecting ourselves before this happens.
Sun, Oct 5, 2008
Hubble Space Telescope is awaiting one final shuttle servicing mission, but why is a telescope worth the risk? Hubble has made numerous discoveries, such as the birth of stars, the death of stars, the existence of black holes, the violence of a comet crash, charting Dark Matter clouds, and discovering 2/3rds of the Universe itself, in the form of mysterious Dark Energy. One day, the Hubble mission will end, and Hubble will burn up in the atmosphere. But a new telescope, the James Webb, will take its place among the stars.
Sun, Nov 2, 2008
This program describes the travels, adventures, challenges and discoveries of Spirit and Opportunity as they explore the surface of Mars. Along the way they climb hills, crawl into craters, get stuck in the sand, break down, make some some amazing discoveries and give their caretakers back home some exciting days and sleepless nights. And their story continues.