Museum of Life is on BBC2 Now!

From www.ironammonite.com

Since my time researching at the Natural History Museum in London I have had a passion for this unique and esteemed institution that resides in one of our greatest and well known buildings (Nov 2009). I was especially excited to hear that the BBC were producing a series looking behind the scenes and I sit here anxiously awaiting its broadcast. 'Museum of Life' starts tonight at 8pm on BBC2. Peculiarly it's presented by Jimmy Doherty but I'm not going to let that put me off!

I really hope that it does the museum justice.

Visit the official BBC website. 

 
Noah's Ark in Kensington

While I'm pushing this promising new series I want to also tell you about a discovery that I made in the BBC archives. In 1970 the BBC produced an episode of Horizon called 'Noah's Ark in Kensington' - you could say that it's a version of tonight's programme from an age gone by. A charming film with a faded sepia look that gives it an air of being produced in World War II. The people who feature in it are lovable parodies of the eccentric British upper-class scientist.

Here's a few screenshots I need to dash as 'Museum of Life' is just starting....

The 1970s Natural History Museum security lining up for inspection by the 'Major' in the morning. http://twitpic.com/18zh3e

Where's the Diplodocus? According to Richard Fortey it was moved from the reptile gallery, now the Dinosaur Hall, to be the centrepiece of the main hall in 1979. http://twitpic.com/18ziov

Museum of Life

'Museum of Life' starts 18th March 8pm on BBC2.
Jimmy Doherty goes behind the scenes at the Natural History Museum to join the people who are uncovering secrets, solving mysteries and making discoveries among the historic collections
Visit the official BBC website. 

Noah's Ark in Kensington

(Reposted from Paul Williams http://www.ironammonite.com/)

While I'm pushing this promising new series I want to also tell you about a discovery that I made in the BBC archives. In 1970 the BBC produced an episode of Horizon called 'Noah's Ark in Kensington' - you could say that it's a version of tonight's programme from an age gone by. A charming film with a faded sepia look that gives it an air of being produced in World War II. The people who feature in it are lovable parodies of the eccentric British upper-class scientist. Here's a few screenshots...

The 1970s Natural History Museum security lining up for inspection by the 'Major' in the morning. http://twitpic.com/18zh3e

Where's the Diplodocus? According to Richard Fortey it was moved from the reptile gallery, now the Dinosaur Hall, to be the centrepiece of the main hall in 1979. http://twitpic.com/18ziov

Wonders of the Solar System: Order out of Chaos

What they've been saying about last week's episode:
"utterly compelling...spectacularly good - Auntie at her best" Daily Mail

"literally the best hour of TV I have ever seen" Chris Evans, R2 Breakfast Show

"The sort of television that captivates hungry young minds, the sort that’s recalled as inspirational for years to come." Daily Telegraph

In the second episode of his stunning exploration of the Solar System, Professor Brian Cox reveals how all the beauty and order we see in our cosmic backyard was carved out of nothing more than a chaotic cloud of gas.

Chasing tornados in Oklahoma, Brian explains how the same physics that creates these spinning storms shaped the young Solar System. And out of this celestial maelstrom emerged the jewel in the crown, Brian’s second Wonder - the magnificent rings of Saturn. Brian travels to an ice-choked lagoon in Iceland to see the nearest thing to Saturn’s rings we have here on Earth. Using the latest scientific imagery and breath-taking graphics, he explains how the intricate patterns are shaped by the cluster of more than 60 moons surrounding Saturn. One of those moons makes a spectacular contribution to Saturn’s rings, and is his third Wonder of the Solar System. Brian describes the astonishing discovery of giant fountains of ice erupting from the surface of Enceladus, which soar thousands of kilometres into space.

Series Producer: Danielle Peck
Written & Directed by Michael Lachmann
Assistant Producer: Diana Ellis-Hill
Exec Producer: Andrew Cohen
for further details about this series, the BBC's new Solar System website and CBBC's spin-off series, Space Hoppers go to
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/

Natural World: Forest Elephants - Rumbles in the Jungle

BBC 2 - 8PM TONIGHT

The woman who 'speaks elephant'. Deep in the rainforest of Central Africa lies an elephant oasis - a remarkable place that holds the key to the future for Forest Elephants. Over the last 20 years, Andrea Turkalo has been studying these enigmatic giants, getting to know over 4,000 intimately. She has begun to unravel the secrets of their complex social lives and the meanings of their unique vocalisations. Today, new acoustic research is shedding light on the many mysteries that still surround forest elephant society. Will these endangered elephants finally speak out and tell Andrea what it is they need to survive?

Producer LUCY MEADOWS
Series Editor TIM MARTIN

Lambing Live with Kate Humble

Starts March 7th, 8pm, BBC2

Springtime in Britain brings lambing season. It’s the biggest event in the farming calendar and, this year, BBC TWO will be there for every long night in the lambing shed. From young ewes lambing for the first time, to orphans who’ve lost, or been rejected, by their mothers. From the farmer’s hard graft and determination, to the glimmer of hope as a hypothermic lamb is nursed back to health – this is Lambing Live.

Over five nights in March, Kate Humble will be following this life and death drama as it unfolds on a 900 ewe sheep farm in South Wales. She’ll be joined by Countryfile presenter and farmer, Adam Henson, and the family who’ve been running this farm for generations, the Beavans. But this story doesn’t start in Spring. Since September, Kate’s been apprenticed to the Beavan family, grappling with the fundamentals of being a shepherdess. She’s been learning how to pick the best ram, how to raddle, how to trim feet and tails – next up will be her very first lambing in February.

In March Kate will have to put her newfound skills into practice but, until then, there’s still a lot to learn……

How many lambs will be born? How many will survive? Watch and find out from Sunday 7th March on BBC TWO. And check the webpage for regular updates on the Lambing Live sheep as well as Kate’s trials as a shepherdess.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00pxqv3

How Earth Made Us: Human Planet

Tonight BBC 2, 20:00pm

In this final part of the series, Professor Iain Stewart looks at a new force that is shaping the planet - us. It's easy to think of the human impact on the planet as a negative one, but as Iain discovers, this isn't always the case. It is clear that humans have unprecedented control over many of the planet's geological cycles; the question is, how will the human race use this power?

For further details, please visit the programme link below:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00r390p

Iain Stewart visits a city devoured by mud



Iain Stewart visits the international seed vault in Svalbard

The Natural World: A Killer Whale called Luna

24th Feb, BBC 2 - 8PM
This is the emotional story of one young killer whale's quest for companionship after he was separated from his family. Luna was just two years old when, alone and confused he found himself on the rugged, wild coast of Vancouver Island. Following his tumultuous life, the film records the human friendships he developed and the trouble this led him into. From death threats, to numerous capture attempts by the government, the filmmakers watched as people tried to determine his fate. Luna shows us how quickly our lives can once again cross with the natural world.

Producer SUZANNE CHISHOLM
Series Editor TIM MARTIN
Narrator MICHAEL PARFIT

Banded Brothers - The Mongoose Mob

BBC2 Sunday 21st Feb 7pm

Wildlife series following the lives of the meerkat's bigger, more streetwise cousin, the banded mongoose.

The 'banded brothers' family of mongooses own the best territory in Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park, but other mongoose mobs want a piece of the action. To keep hold of their patch, the bandeds need to be a big, strong group, and a regular supply of new recruits is maintained by the breeding females. A new litter from three of the older females has been born and they make their first foray above ground, but not all is right in the banded mongoose's world.

The oldest female, Diva, is still pregnant. It's an unusual situation, and when Diva's pups are born they will face an uphill struggle to survive. To add to the problems, the new pups need babysitting at the den. Other mongoose mobs such as the banded mongoose's arch enemies the striped mongoose are taking advantage and muscling in on the banded's prize territory.

Watch clips here (UK only): http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00r39pc

CBBC: Natural Born Hunters

CBBC Monday 15th February, 8am
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qzkx3

A fresh look at some of the most supreme predators in the animal kingdom, looking at how some of the most lethal creatures in the wild survive a typical day - relying on their instincts, speed, and tactics is often not enough, and luck can mean the difference between life and death.


A cheetah, a dragonfly and a peregrine falcon go head-to-head in race to eat. The first to get his or her daily intake of food is the winner. The three contenders have one thing in common - when it comes to hunting they all use speed to help catch their prey. The cheetah is the fastest land mammal reaching speeds of 71mph, the dragonfly is the fastest insect with a top speed of 35mph and the peregrine falcon can fly at over 200mph making it the fastest animal on earth ever.

It's action all the way, with a few surprises thrown in for good measure, in a typical hunting day in the lives of these natural born hunters. Steve Backshall and Barney Harwood commentate on the action as it happens.

'How Earth Made Us' Cool Visual Trick: 'SUPER Aerial Pull out'

Reposted from www.IronAmmonite.com

My episode 'Wind' is broadcast tonight. To celebrate I thought I'd share a visual trick that we're all very proud of...

Super Aerial Pull-Out: From presenter to entire continent

7 steps to creating a COOL Visual Trick - as seen in tonights 'How Earth Made Us: WIND'

Step 1. WATCH: How Earth Made Us 'Wind' - BBC 2, 21:00
With spectacular images, surprising stories and a compelling narrative, Professor Iain Stewart tells the epic story of how the planet has shaped human history. In this episode Iain sets sail on one of the fastest racing boats ever built to explore the story of our turbulent relationship with the wind. Travelling to iconic locations including the Sahara desert, the coast of West Africa and the South Pacific, Iain discovers how people have exploited the power of the wind for thousands of years. The wind is a force which at first sight appears chaotic. But the patterns that lie within the atmosphere have shaped the destiny of continents, and lie at the heart of some of the greatest turning points in human history.

Alternatively you can watch this clip from about one minute in...



Once you've recovered from the exhiliration continue with step 2...

2. Fly somewhere really awesome with a Cineflex - a gyro-stabalised camera-mount.

3. Fly upwards as smoothly as possible above your presenter

4. Find a series of free-to-use high resolution sattelite images from Nasa which focus on your location.
You can try The Modis Rapid Response Gallery or Blue Marble you can also try the Earth Science Data Interface

5. Hire a talented graphics company such as Prime Focus to seamlessly mix the Cineflex aerials with the Sattelite images.

6. Add a drum beat to help get the heart pumping and the adrenalin rushing.

7. Take to a party and impress your friends ;-)

I think it really places our presenter in a unique geographical context.

'How Earth Made Us' Most Viewed Science Prog for 4 Years

The first two episodes have been the most watched Science programmes for over four years. An audience of over 3.5 million and AIs of 88.

Watch again on iPlayer

"Stewart has found a way to take the gritty business of rocks, strata and tectonic plates and smelt it into big, enthralling ideas" (Radio Times)

"an all-action narrative" (Sunday Times)

It's enough to make you quake. (Times)

This new addition to the genre may be the best yet (WESTERN MAIL)

The most informative series he has ever made....Travelling to many of the geological wonders of the world. (Times Scotland)

A stunning new series about our planet (Evening herald)

Watch preview Clips on YouTube

For further details, please visit the official BBC programme page