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Do We Really Need the Moon?

Space scientist and lunar fanatic Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock explores people's intimate relationship with the Moon, a familiar presence in the sky that most take for granted.

The moon is such a familiar presence in the sky that most of us take it for granted. But what if it wasn't where it is now? How would that affect life on Earth?

Space scientist and lunar fanatic Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock explores our intimate relationship with the moon. Besides orchestrating the tides, the moon dictates the length of a day, the rhythm of the seasons and the very stability of our planet.

Yet the moon is always on the move. In the past, it was closer to the Earth and in the future it will be farther away. That it is now perfectly placed to sustain life is pure luck, a cosmic coincidence. Using computer graphics to summon up great tides and set the Earth spinning on its side, Aderin-Pocock implores us to look at the Moon afresh: to see it not as an inert rock, but as a key player in the story of our planet, past, present and future.

59 minutes

Last on

Thu 18 Jul 2019 00:35
BBC Four

Clips

See all clips from Do We Really Need the Moon? (5)

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:04

    Barry Gray

    Fireball XL5

  • 00:39

    Tinie Tempah

    Pass Out (Album Version)

Credits

Presenter Maggie Aderin-Pocock
Executive Producer Helen Thomas
Director Tim Lambert

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