It Came From Outer Space
As shooting stars vaporise in the atmosphere, a small part of some of them falls to earth as dust. Chris Lintott and Maggie Aderin-Pocock investigate.
In August, the most spectacular meteor shower of 2017 coincides with transmission: The Perseids! If it's clear, it'll be a great chance to see scores of bright shooting stars streaking across the night sky. As those shooting stars vaporise in the atmosphere, a small part of some of them will fall to earth as dust.
This dust will contribute to a total of about 40,000 tonnes of space dust and debris that falls onto our planet every year. In this episode, Chris Lintott and Maggie Aderin-Pocock investigate this mysterious cosmic debris that comes from outer space.
Last on
More episodes
Previous
Clips
![]()
Modelling Meteorite Impacts
Duration: 04:22
![]()
Using Radio Waves to Spot Meteors from Indoors
Duration: 02:33
![]()
Impact Craters on the Hubble Space Telescope
Duration: 02:01
![]()
Starguide: August 2017
Duration: 03:58
Music Played
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
![]()
00:01Jean Sibelius
Pelleas and Melisande: At The Castle Gate
Performer: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Thomas Beecham.
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Maggie Aderin |
| Presenter | Chris Lintott |
| Presenter | Pete Lawrence |
| Executive Producer | Jonathan Renouf |
| Series Producer | Tim Usborne |
Join our photo group
Share images, inspiration and tips with fellow photographers
