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Science In Action: Waves from the Big Bang

The sun sets behind BICEP2 (in the foreground) and the South Pole Telescope (in the background)

20/03/2014

Waves from the Big Bang

BBC World Service - Science In Action, Waves from the Big Bang

New evidence to support the Big Bang theory for the origin of the Universe

New evidence to support the Big Bang theory for the origin of the Universe; Water and energy in Assam, India; Protecting Oman's rich ecosystems

Researchers believe they have found a signal left in the sky from a super-rapid expansion of space that occurred fractions of a second after the beginning of the universe.  It takes the form of a distinctive twist in the oldest light detectable with telescopes.  Scientists working on the BICEP2 project have used a South Pole-based telescope to make careful observations of a small patch of sky thought to be one of the best regions to look for this type of Big Bang evidence from Earth.  BBC Science correspondent Jonathan Amos guides us through this 'spectacular' discovery.
 
Water and Energy in Assam, India
This Saturday, 22 March 2014, is World Water Day.  Set by the UN, this day is when the organisation will release the latest World Water Development report.  And, this year is a first – the UN have moved from releasing triennial reports on the state of water around the globe, to themed annual reports.  The theme this year is water and energy – resources that are equally vital for people’s lives.  Our reporter Navin Singh Khadka has been in Dibrugarh, a town on the Brahmaputra River in Assam, India, hearing the latest about hydro-electric dams, fluctuating water levels, and proposals to ameliorate water stress.
 
Protecting Oman's Rich Ecosystems
Located on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula, many people associate the Sultanate of Oman with a monotonous, lifeless desert.  However, Oman bears a remarkable diversity of ecosystems being home to a number of rare species.  Since the 1970s Omani society and industry have undergone rapid development that has challenged the environment.  In March, researchers met at London's Royal Geographical Society to discuss how conservation efforts can meet these challenges. Science in Action's Lennart Pyritz went there and talked to scientists about their action plans.


(Photo caption: the sun sets behind BICEP2 (in the foreground) and the South Pole Telescope (in the background) ©Steffen Richter, Harvard University)


Presenter: Jon Stewart
Producer:  Jennifer Whyntie

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