PBS Space Time

New Evidence: Earth Had Rings (and Might Regain Them)

There’s an extremely good chance that Earth once did have a ring system. At least, that’s the proposal by a recent study that has evidence that a mysterious burst in meteor activity nearly half a billion years ago was actually caused by that ancient ring system collapsing onto the Earth. And, you know, if we had a ring once maybe we can have one again.

New Evidence: Earth Had Rings (and Might Regain Them)

16m 30s

  • Why Life on Mars Will Doom Humanity: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Why Life on Mars Will Doom Humanity

    S11 E13 - 19m 14s

    Recent findings have brought us closer than we’ve ever been to confirming life beyond the Earth. As we wait for confirmation or otherwise, let’s think about what this will tell us about life everywhere, and also about our own imminent destruction.

  • At What Point Does Spacetime Become Quantum?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    At What Point Does Spacetime Become Quantum?

    S11 E12 - 19m 1s

    To observe the quantum nature of gravity and of spacetime itself, we need a particle collider the size of the solar system. Or we could just physics smarter and build one on a lab bench. Here’s how.

  • The Most Important Satellite You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Most Important Satellite You’ve (Probably) Never Heard Of

    S11 E11 - 12m 39s

    One of the most important reasons we go to space is to know our own planet better. Today I'm going to tell you about an orbiting facility that literally watches Earth's biosphere breath and grow and die with incredible resolution. I'll talk about its profound existential and economic importance, and about why it's in danger of being lost.

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