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Science In Action: Nearest Star has Earth-Sized Planet

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Nearest Star has Earth-Sized Planet

25/08/2016 GMT

BBC World Service - Science In Action, Nearest Star has Earth-Sized Planet

An Earth-sized exoplanet has been discovered to be orbiting our nearest star, Proxima

Earth-sized planet orbiting nearest star; Seismic wave reveals more about Earth’s interior; The effect of 'Trump’s Wall' on wildlife; Natural world knowledge dies with languages

Life on other planets is often considered to be the stuff of science fiction. But we are one step closer in the hunt for extra-terrestrial life as an Earth-sized planet has been found to be orbiting our nearest star, Proxima Centauri.

Weather Bombs Help Us Look at Earth’s Interior
Large storms called weather bombs send pressure waves through the Earth’s core. A new part of this wave has been detected, enabling us to find out more about the mysterious structure of the Earth’s interior. 

Trump’s Wall and Wildlife
US presidential candidate, Donald Trump’s plan to build a wall across the entire US-Mexican border would mean bad news for the fragile ecosystem of this important wildlife area. The border area is home to a diverse population of mammals, birds and plants—including a number of iconic and rare species. Freedom of movement across the border is crucial for habitat connectivity and genetic diversity. A number of species, including Desert bighorn sheep, black bears and the iconic roadrunner, would be at risk from the proposed construction.

Hidden in a Name
The names we give things in the natural world often contain clues about what they look like, how they behave or where they come from. But with thousands of human languages approaching extinction, important plant knowledge may die with them.

(Photo: © ESO/M. Kornmesser,  A view of the surface of the planet Proxima b orbiting the red dwarf star Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our Solar System, is seen in an undated artist's impression) 

Presenter: Marnie Chesterton
Producer:  Fiona Roberts

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