Available online
Description
In a previous radio programme ("Journey into the Centre of the Earth") what we know at present about the structure and composition of the Earth have been explained. Professor Jack Jacobs ...uses this knowledge to explore current ideas on the origin of the Earth and its core and to indicate new directions for research. One of the ideas concerns the nature of the core-mantle boundary and Dr. Raymond Hide, who has been working on this topic, goes on to speculate that "bumps" on the core (i.e. small scale vertical distortions that would make the core-mantle boundary irregular in shape) can explain and predict many geophysical observations. These are ideas that relate directly to the origin of the Earth, its structure and composition, but there is the wider question of the origin of the whole solar system. Professor Fred Hoyle, who appeared in the first programme of the series, ends this programme and the series by explaining how this might have formed and shows how the Earth fits into this broader picture.
In a previous radio programme ("Journey into the Centre of the Earth") what we know at present about the structure and composition of the Earth have been explained. Professor Jack Jacobs ...uses this knowledge to explore current ideas on the origin of the Earth and its core and to indicate new directions for research. One of the ideas concerns the nature of the core-mantle boundary and Dr. Raymond Hide, who has been working on this topic, goes on to speculate that "bumps" on the core (i.e. small scale vertical distortions that would make the core-mantle boundary irregular in shape) can explain and predict many geophysical observations. These are ideas that relate directly to the origin of the Earth, its structure and composition, but there is the wider question of the origin of the whole solar system. Professor Fred Hoyle, who appeared in the first programme of the series, ends this programme and the series by explaining how this might have formed and shows how the Earth fits into this broader picture.
| Item code: | S2-4; 06 |
|---|---|
| First transmission date: | 30-09-1973 |
| Published: | 1973 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:22:38 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producers: | Andrew Crilly; David Jackson; Barrie Whatley |
| Contributors: | Raymond Hide; Jack Jacobs; Fred Hoyle; Paul Vaughan |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Core 'bumps'; Core-mantle boundary; Earth's origins; Origins of the solar system |
| Footage description: | Paul Vaughan introduces the programme and first speaker. Jack Jacobs discusses two current theories on the origins of the earth and variations on these theories. He begins by examining the homogeneous theory. Paul Vaughan puts questions to him. Jacobs next explains why other, non-homogeneous theories have to be taken into account. Paul Vaughan introduces a discussion on the earth's structure. He has with him a cut-away model of the earth showing the major layers. What are the geophysical effects of irregularities at the boundaries between the layers? Vaughan explains using animated pictures of the earth and moon. He then introduces Raymond Hide. Raymond Hide explains how layer boundary irregularities can cause the observed acceleration in the earth's rotation. He uses several models as aids. Paul Vaughan explains how a correlation between the earth's gravitational and magnetic fields was used to discover the locations of boundary irregularities, ("bumps"). Raymond Hide continues the discussion. Shots of a map of the earth with the gravitational and magnetic contour lines overlaid. Paul Vaughan amidst a model of the Solar System. He discusses the composition of the planets and introduces Sir Fred Hoyle who will discuss theories of the origin of the planets. Fred Hoyle discusses several theories which have been put forward for explaining the formation of the earth and other planets. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/71092 |
| Production number: | 00525_1018 |
| Videofinder number: | 673 |
| Available to public: | no |
