Earth Investigated

EARTH INVESTIGATED
Saturday 2 June at 12:00 PM CAT
National Geographic Channel

DESCRIPTION

Did you know that you are four times more likely to die from an asteroid impact in your lifetime than to be struck by lightning? This is one of the startling facts to emerge from our new 13-part series which tackles some of the questions that have puzzled scientists for years.

This is one of the startling facts to emerge from our new 13-part series which tackles some of the questions that have puzzled scientists for years.

With contributions from some of the world's foremost scientists, the series examines the newest developments and theories and uses moving human-interest stories, personal experiences and the latest computer-generated graphics to bring a range of subjects vividly to life.

In Surviving Armageddon, we track down the scientists who are trying to find ways of preventing a large asteroid from destroying our planet. 'Fifty million tonnes of rock coming at 60,000mph,' says geologist, Ray Anderson. '[That's] ten times all of the nuclear weapons on Earth at the height of the Cold War going off in one spot.'

Are we the only intelligent species alive in the universe? For years scientists believed that the amazing chain of events that led to intelligent life on Earth was truly a one off. We just got lucky. But today, scientists are convinced that we are not alone. Alien Contact examines the latest evidence in the search for E.T.

Stonehenge is England's most mysterious ancient monument, standing on a site older than the Pyramids of Egypt. But who built it and how? We know that some of the rocks were brought to Stonehenge from more than 200 miles away, across England's biggest tidal estuary. We demonstrate how late Stone Age-early Bronze Age Britons could have transported the stones over such a long distance, and raised them into place using primitive technology, some 4500 years ago. Then, using a three-dimensional computer model, facial anthropologists examine human skeletons which have been found near Stonehenge. watch as they recreate the face of a man who may have worked on the construction of this enigmatic ancient structure.

EPISODE GUIDE

Earth Investigated: Ancient Sea Monsters

In 2008, palaeontologists unearthed a 35-foot ichthyosaur with diamond-shaped teeth. Now they investigate its place in evolutionary history.

Earth Investigated: Alien Fireballs

Scientists from the University of Western Ontario investigate a mysterious flaming fireball in the night sky. What secrets could it contain?

Next Showing:

Saturday 2 June at 11:00 AM CAT - National Geographic Channel

Earth Investigated: Ben Franklin's Pirate Fleet

In 1778, Benjamin Franklin hired privateers to capture British sailors and exchange them for Americans held by the British in poor conditions.
Earth Investigated: Star Clock

It appears the world's first PC was invented in Biblical times. Experts examine how such advanced technology could have existed 2,000 years ago.
Earth Investigated: Make Me Superhuman

Once the stuff of science fiction, exoskeletons are today bestowing humans with true superpowers. Take a look a these fascinating machines.
Earth Investigated: City Under The Sea

Could mankind soon be living beneath the ocean? Experts analyse the key issues behind creating a viable undersea community.

Earth Investigated: Man-Made Disasters

A look at the companies and structural engineers finding ways to generate energy and build big while avoiding the sometimes lethal consequences.

Next Showing:

Saturday 2 June at 12:00 PM CAT - National Geographic Channel

Earth Investigated: Fireball Of Christ

A team of geologists explore a crater and reveal how it links to the legend of the Roman Emperor Constantine's conversion to Christianity.

Earth Investigated: Parallel Universes

Strange hidden worlds where an alternative reality exists may sound like a myth, but many leading scientists believe they are real.

Next Showing:

Monday 18 June at 09:00 AM CAT - National Geographic Channel

Earth Investigated: Space Tourism

Have a look at what space travel might be like through the eyes of visionaries, and learn about some of the most audacious projects ever.
Earth Investigated: Expedition Whisky

Ernest Shackleton is well known for his icy expeditions but now archaeologists have unearthed his most unusual legacy – a secret stash of whisky!
Earth Investigated: Finding the Next Earth

Join the world's leading astronomers on their race to find another planet like ours – a new Earth capable of sustaining life.