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Science In Action: California Forest Fires

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14/12/2017 GMT

California Forest Fires

BBC World Service - Science In Action, California Forest Fires

What are the conditions causing the catastrophic wildfires in Southern California?

California forest fires. Also 100th anniversary of Arthur C. Clarke, giant penguins and searching for asteroid – ‘Oumuamua’s’ alien technology and electric eel inspired power

Southern California is suffering intense forest fires right now, and October brought some of the largest forest fires since records began. What are the conditions that led to these disastrous events? And why are the fires so much further down the Sierra Nevada slopes and so much closer to human habitation?

100 years of Arthur C. Clarke
Prolific science fiction writer, Arthur C. Clarke was born 100 years ago, on the 16th December 1917. Some think he was a man way ahead of his time as many of his predictions about future science and technology have come true. He is most famous for being co-writer of the book and screenplay for the 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, widely considered to be one of the most influential movies of all time.

Is ‘Oumuamua’ an Alien Spacecraft?
Oumuamua is the name given to the first discovered interstellar asteroid to have entered our Solar System. It has been speculated by some that the strange cigar-shaped object is the perfect shape for an alien spacecraft. It may seem unlikely, but this hasn’t stopped a group of scientists linked to SETI (Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence), called Breakthrough Listen surveying the asteroid on four different radio transmission bands to listen for any signal that could show this space object contains alien technology. Don’t hold your breath! 

Electric Eel Inspired Power Source
The electric eel is perhaps an obvious creature to turn to for inspiration for a power source. Researchers have examined the complex transfer of charged chemicals across the cell membranes in these eels to help them make an artificial electric organ.

Picture: Night long exposure photograph of the Santa Clarita wildfire, Credit: FrozenShutter

Presenter:	Roland Pease
Producer: 	Fiona Roberts

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