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Gaia: A Galactic Revolution

How ESA's Gaia Space telescope has been mapping the heavens, from the discovery of wandering black holes to a new age map of the Milky Way.

For past three and a half years, ESA's Gaia Space telescope has been mapping the heavens in unprecedented detail. At the end of April 2018 it released precise data on over 1.3 billion stars in the Milky Way showing how they move over time and their distance from Earth. Maggie and Chris reveal some of the most surprising initial findings, from the discovery of wandering black holes, hyper velocity stars and 'transient phenomena' to a brand new age map of the Milky Way and concrete evidence of how our galaxy formed.

29 minutes

Music Played

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

  • 00:01

    Jean Sibelius

    Pelleas and Melisande: At The Castle Gate

    Performer: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Conductor: Thomas Beecham.
  • 00:28

    Def Leppard

    Hell Raiser

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Chris Lintott
Presenter Maggie Aderin-Pocock
Presenter Pete Lawrence
Executive Producer Jonathan Renouf
Series Producer Simon Winchcombe

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