Naked Science Season 6 Episode 14 Earth's Evil Twin
- July 2, 2009
Earth's Evil Twin is an episode of the popular science documentary series called Naked Science. In this episode, the show explores the concept of planets that are similar to Earth, but vastly different at the same time. The episode is a journey through the mysteries of space and the possibilities of life on other planets.
The show begins by discussing the history of the search for other Earth-like planets, starting with the discovery of exoplanets in the 1990s. Scientists have since discovered thousands of planets outside our solar system, some of which are rocky planets like Earth. However, the show points out that even though some planets are similar to Earth, they can be radically different in other ways.
The focus of the episode is a planet called Venus, which is often called Earth's evil twin due to its striking similarities to our planet. Venus is almost the same size as Earth and is composed of rock and metal. However, the planet's conditions are incredibly different from those on Earth. The show delves into the science behind why this is the case.
One major difference between Earth and Venus is their atmospheres. While Earth's atmosphere contains mostly nitrogen and oxygen, Venus's atmosphere is composed mainly of carbon dioxide. Moreover, the planet's surface temperature is extremely high, averaging around 800 degrees Fahrenheit due to its thick atmosphere that traps heat. The show explains how these conditions on Venus make it almost impossible for life to exist on the planet.
The episode further explores the planet's unique characteristics by examining its geology. Venus has volcanoes and mountain ranges similar to those on Earth, but its volcanic activity is far more intense. The show explains how the planet's extreme conditions contribute to this difference. The episode includes footage from NASA's successful Magellan spacecraft, which mapped Venus's surface in the 1990s, providing a wealth of data and insights into the planet's geology.
The show also discusses the possibility of terraforming other planets, including Venus, to make them habitable for humans. The idea of terraforming involves altering the planet's environment to make it more hospitable to life. Despite the challenges involved, scientists have proposed various methods for terraforming Venus. The episode explores these methods and their feasibility, and discusses the ethical considerations involved in attempting to alter other planets.
One of the strengths of the show is in how it communicates scientific concepts in an accessible way for the general audience. The episode uses beautiful visuals, including animations and CGI, to explain complex concepts and theories. The show's host, whose voiceover narration provides the backbone of the episode, is engaging and enthusiastic, drawing viewers in and explaining scientific concepts with clarity.
Overall, Earth's Evil Twin is an excellent episode of Naked Science, providing a fascinating exploration of the geology and astronomy of other planets in our solar system. The show's engaging presentation style coupled with the wealth of information that it provides, makes this episode both informative and entertaining. Viewers interested in the possibilities of life beyond our planet will find this episode of Naked Science to be enlightening.
