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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.

30 minutes

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:01

    Jean Sibelius

    Pelleas and Melisande: At The Castle Gate

    Performer: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Thomas Beecham.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Maggie Aderin-Pocock
Presenter Chris Lintott
Presenter Pete Lawrence
Executive Producer Jonathan Renouf
Series Producer Tim Usborne

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