BBC Radio 4 Extra

Cosmic Quest

Cosmic Quest: Episode 29: Worlds Beyond

Factual: History

Factual: Science & Nature

Episode 29

Episode 29: Worlds Beyond

Worlds Beyond

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Cosmic Quest, Worlds Beyond

The work by contemporary astronomers to find other planets like Earth in the universe.

Astronomer Heather Couper looks at the work done by her contemporaries to find other planets like Earth. From July 2008.

Heather Couper presents a narrative history of astronomy.

In the 16th century, Giordano Bruno speculated that there must be other planets similar to our own in the universe. He was burned at the stake for this and other heresies.

Even today, with the best telescopes in the world, it remains impossible to see planets around distant stars. But in the last decade, astronomers have gathered indirect evidence for many other planetary systems. The easiest to detect and hence the first to be found were the most amazing - planets bigger than Jupiter orbiting so close to their star that they are almost touching. But evidence is now emerging that solar systems more like our own exist, some with multiple planets and some with planets that may be like Earth.

Readers are Timothy West, Robin Sebastian, Julian Rhind-Tutt and John Palmer.

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Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Heather Couper presents a narrative history of astronomy

Astronomer Heather Couper charts the history of our growing understanding of the universe and progress of astronomy.

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