Ep 2. Mystery in the Outback

In season 3 episode 2 of What on Earth?, titled Mystery in the Outback, the team explore an unusual circular feature found in the Australian desert. The feature, which has been dubbed "The Eye," appears to be man-made, but its purpose and origin are unknown.

The episode kicks off with stunning aerial footage of the Australian outback, setting the scene for the mystery that the team is about to investigate. The geospatial analysts on the show explain that they came across The Eye while scouring satellite images for interesting features. The Eye is a circular depression in the middle of the desert, with a distinctive raised rim around the edge.

No one knows who built The Eye or why it was built. Some theories suggest that it might be an ancient site used for astronomical observations or ceremonies. Others have speculated that it might be a natural formation that has been modified by humans. To get to the bottom of the mystery, the team has to rely on a range of techniques to study the site in detail.

The first step is to get a more detailed look at The Eye using drones. A team of expert drone pilots is brought in to fly over the site and capture high-resolution footage. This allows the team to look for any signs of human activity, such as rock formations that have been moved or carvings on the ground. They also use special software to create a 3D model of the site, which provides additional insights into its shape and structure.

The team then turns to ground-based studies. They visit the site in person, hiking out into the desert to get a closer look. Once there, they take samples of the rocks around The Eye and test them for any signs of human modification. They also use ground-penetrating radar to look for any hidden structures or artifacts beneath the surface.

All of these techniques yield some interesting findings, but none of them definitively answer the question of what The Eye is or how it was made. The team considers a range of different possibilities, from ancient Aboriginal sites to modern science experiments, but none of these explanations quite fit.

In the end, the show leaves the mystery of The Eye unsolved. The team concludes that it will likely take more research and investigation to uncover its true origins. Nonetheless, the episode provides a fascinating glimpse into the work of geospatial analysts and the methods they use to try to unravel some of the world's most intriguing mysteries.

Overall, Mystery in the Outback is a gripping episode of What on Earth? that showcases some of the best investigative techniques in the field of geospatial analysis. The mystery of The Eye is sure to captivate viewers, leaving them with more questions than answers.