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Rare Earth

Episode 5 of 5

Geography series with Dr Iain Stewart. Life on Earth prospers because it enjoys the right amount of heat from the sun, and the atmosphere prevents meteorite bombardment.

Geography series with Dr Iain Stewart. Our planet is unique within the solar system. Four-and-a-half billion years ago it had a twin named Theia which was absorbed into the Earth, increasing its gravity and allowing it to form an atmosphere. Iain travels to Meteor Crater in Arizona to explore the atmosphere's role in protecting us from bombardment by meteorites. Life on earth only prospers because it is provided with right amount of heat from the sun.

59 minutes

Last on

Thu 2 Dec 202101:00
BBC Four

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Credit

PresenterIain Stewart

Broadcasts

  • Tue 18 Dec 200721:00
    BBC Two except East & Yorkshire
  • Thu 20 Dec 200702:35
    BBC One
  • Sun 30 Dec 200717:05
    BBC Two except East & Yorkshire
  • Sun 17 Feb 200822:00
    BBC Four
  • Sun 31 Aug 200819:00
    BBC Two except East, Scotland & Yorkshire
  • Sun 28 Dec 200812:00
    BBC HD
  • Mon 21 Sep 200920:00
    BBC HD
  • Fri 26 Mar 202114:00
    BBC Two except East, Scotland, Wales (Analogue) & Yorkshire
  • Wed 1 Dec 202120:00
    BBC Four
  • Thu 2 Dec 202101:00
    BBC Four