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1
00:00:59,281 --> 00:01:00,641
It's still there, look.
2
00:01:01,481 --> 00:01:02,761
Yes, I see it.
3
00:01:03,481 --> 00:01:05,441
- It looks brighter.
- It is.
4
00:01:05,641 --> 00:01:07,201
Robert, what do you make of it?
5
00:01:07,641 --> 00:01:08,841
I don't know.
6
00:01:10,481 --> 00:01:12,161
- It's not a nova.
- Have you checked?
7
00:01:12,241 --> 00:01:13,961
Yes, I've been through the charts.
8
00:01:14,161 --> 00:01:16,521
- There shouldn't be anything there.
- A comet?
9
00:01:16,801 --> 00:01:18,001
Could be.
10
00:01:18,561 --> 00:01:20,561
The proper motion's too high, though.
11
00:01:20,881 --> 00:01:23,201
The definition's sharper
than any comet I've ever seen.
12
00:01:23,281 --> 00:01:24,281
Me too.
13
00:01:25,321 --> 00:01:27,201
- When did you first see it?
- Three weeks ago.
14
00:01:27,281 --> 00:01:29,121
Came up on the last batch of plates.
15
00:01:29,201 --> 00:01:30,641
Well, let's have a look at it again.
16
00:01:30,681 --> 00:01:32,681
- Could be we're both mistaken.
- Could be.
17
00:01:32,921 --> 00:01:34,121
Here we are.
18
00:01:34,561 --> 00:01:36,521
This is our greatest treasure.
19
00:01:36,641 --> 00:01:38,361
Oh, can I stop you for a minute?
20
00:01:38,441 --> 00:01:39,921
This is Peter...
21
00:01:40,081 --> 00:01:42,281
Oh, I say, I'm terribly sorry,
I've forgotten your name.
22
00:01:42,321 --> 00:01:43,481
- Barry.
- Barry.
23
00:01:43,561 --> 00:01:45,961
Yes, of course. How stupid of me.
24
00:01:46,521 --> 00:01:47,801
Peter Barry.
25
00:01:47,881 --> 00:01:49,281
- June Challis.
- How do you do?
26
00:01:49,361 --> 00:01:50,697
- And Robert Duncan.
- How do you do?
27
00:01:50,721 --> 00:01:52,961
- How do you do?
- Peter's with UK Television.
28
00:01:53,041 --> 00:01:54,961
He's working on a series about, erm...
29
00:01:55,361 --> 00:01:57,761
- What was it now?
- New developments in metallurgy.
30
00:01:57,841 --> 00:01:59,601
Oh, yes. Bit out of my line, I'm afraid.
31
00:01:59,681 --> 00:02:01,281
New developments in metallurgy?
32
00:02:01,361 --> 00:02:03,441
- Oh, dear.
- Yes, I know what you mean.
33
00:02:04,081 --> 00:02:06,961
We run a weekly programme
called The Latest in Science.
34
00:02:07,321 --> 00:02:08,241
Oh!
35
00:02:08,321 --> 00:02:10,321
This should be good
for three or four programmes.
36
00:02:10,401 --> 00:02:12,441
I hope you won't think me dense, but, er
37
00:02:12,601 --> 00:02:14,401
what are you doing in an observatory?
38
00:02:14,481 --> 00:02:16,161
Well, all's grist to our mill.
39
00:02:16,241 --> 00:02:18,481
And Dr Ramsay here
has very kindly offered to assist us
40
00:02:18,561 --> 00:02:21,121
with a programme on astronomy.
A series of programmes.
41
00:02:21,361 --> 00:02:22,761
I missed him by inches in London
42
00:02:22,841 --> 00:02:24,777
so I thought I'd try and run him
to earth here in Scotland.
43
00:02:24,801 --> 00:02:25,841
And he caught me.
44
00:02:25,921 --> 00:02:27,817
Actually, it's these two
you should be talking to.
45
00:02:27,841 --> 00:02:28,841
I'm only a visitor here.
46
00:02:28,921 --> 00:02:31,081
Dr Grundy's in charge,
but he's in Canada.
47
00:02:31,441 --> 00:02:32,921
How many programmes are you doing?
48
00:02:33,001 --> 00:02:34,601
On astronomy? Six, I think.
49
00:02:34,721 --> 00:02:36,681
- Six?
- Yes, I know it's not enough.
50
00:02:37,961 --> 00:02:39,281
What are you calling them?
51
00:02:39,361 --> 00:02:40,361
Hm?
52
00:02:40,441 --> 00:02:43,561
Oh, I don't know.
The Floor of Heaven, perhaps.
53
00:02:47,801 --> 00:02:49,921
- What are you thinking about?
- What?
54
00:02:50,441 --> 00:02:51,601
Oh, I was.
55
00:02:52,081 --> 00:02:54,761
I was just wondering if there's anyone
56
00:02:55,281 --> 00:02:56,561
anything up there.
57
00:02:57,641 --> 00:03:00,401
Sending us radio signals,
perhaps, century after century.
58
00:03:00,561 --> 00:03:02,441
I wondered if anyone
might be receiving them.
59
00:03:02,961 --> 00:03:06,321
It would take a long time.
The nearest star is four light-years away.
60
00:03:06,601 --> 00:03:09,081
Yes, but we've been sending signals
into space, haven't we?
61
00:03:09,161 --> 00:03:12,081
You never know, someone or something
might pick them up.
62
00:03:12,201 --> 00:03:13,561
Intelligence out there?
63
00:03:14,281 --> 00:03:15,281
Maybe.
64
00:03:15,481 --> 00:03:18,281
If so, let's hope they have the
intelligence to leave us alone.
65
00:03:20,281 --> 00:03:21,201
What on earth is that?
66
00:03:21,281 --> 00:03:23,041
Oh, that's what we call a blink comparator.
67
00:03:23,121 --> 00:03:24,001
A what?
68
00:03:24,121 --> 00:03:25,681
A blink microscope.
69
00:03:26,081 --> 00:03:28,081
You take two pictures
of the same star region
70
00:03:28,161 --> 00:03:29,401
taken at different times
71
00:03:29,481 --> 00:03:31,281
and you superimpose them like this.
72
00:03:31,401 --> 00:03:32,521
I'm sorry, I don't get it.
73
00:03:33,241 --> 00:03:35,881
Well, normally stars remain
unchanged in their positions.
74
00:03:35,961 --> 00:03:38,081
That's why they're called fixed stars.
75
00:03:38,161 --> 00:03:41,001
But if anything new appears,
like a new star, for instance
76
00:03:41,081 --> 00:03:43,281
it'll appear on one plate
and not the other.
77
00:03:43,921 --> 00:03:45,721
By flicking the plates on and off
78
00:03:45,801 --> 00:03:48,121
you can see the stars blinking on and off.
79
00:03:48,241 --> 00:03:51,761
You can observe the effect very easily,
even in a region crowded with stars.
80
00:03:51,921 --> 00:03:52,921
Oh, I see.
81
00:03:52,961 --> 00:03:54,001
Look at this.
82
00:03:57,041 --> 00:03:58,201
Oh, I see!
83
00:03:58,281 --> 00:04:00,481
Just off-centre there. It's blinking at me.
84
00:04:00,561 --> 00:04:01,721
Exactly.
85
00:04:01,881 --> 00:04:04,761
Those two plates were taken
at an interval of three weeks.
86
00:04:04,841 --> 00:04:07,681
And since the first plate was taken,
a new object's appeared.
87
00:04:07,761 --> 00:04:09,641
Ah. And what is it?
88
00:04:09,801 --> 00:04:13,121
It's a nova, a huge explosion in space.
89
00:04:13,601 --> 00:04:16,361
A nova? Well, the only nova
I'm familiar with is a bossa nova.
90
00:04:16,441 --> 00:04:17,521
What?
91
00:04:17,601 --> 00:04:19,161
- Never mind.
- Oh, I see.
92
00:04:19,241 --> 00:04:20,521
Well, look, let me explain.
93
00:04:20,601 --> 00:04:23,641
Every now and again, a star so faint
that one can't normally see it
94
00:04:23,721 --> 00:04:26,641
explodes like a... like a hydrogen bomb.
95
00:04:26,721 --> 00:04:29,761
It's still just a point of light,
however, because of the distance.
96
00:04:29,841 --> 00:04:30,921
Let's see, now.
97
00:04:31,761 --> 00:04:33,521
This star cluster, for instance
98
00:04:33,601 --> 00:04:35,961
that's about, what,
eighteen hundred light-years away?
99
00:04:36,041 --> 00:04:37,201
It's quite an explosion.
100
00:04:37,281 --> 00:04:39,161
Yes, it all happened
a long time ago, of course.
101
00:04:39,201 --> 00:04:41,321
This bang took place
about the time of Nero.
102
00:04:41,401 --> 00:04:43,641
We're just getting the news
of it now, as it were.
103
00:04:43,761 --> 00:04:46,297
Well, that's good stuff. We must try
and get that into the programme.
104
00:04:46,321 --> 00:04:47,641
Well, I must be off.
105
00:04:47,721 --> 00:04:49,657
Well, Dr Ramsay,
I'm very grateful for all your help.
106
00:04:49,681 --> 00:04:52,097
Perhaps you'll call in and see us
the moment you arrive in London.
107
00:04:52,121 --> 00:04:53,561
UK Television will find me.
108
00:04:53,641 --> 00:04:54,961
Certainly, Mr Murray.
109
00:04:55,041 --> 00:04:56,041
Barry. -Oh!
110
00:04:56,121 --> 00:04:57,801
I'm terribly sorry. Do forgive me.
111
00:04:57,881 --> 00:04:58,881
- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.
112
00:04:58,961 --> 00:05:00,201
- Goodbye.
- Bye.
113
00:05:02,961 --> 00:05:04,641
- It isn't a nova.
- What?
114
00:05:04,721 --> 00:05:06,721
- It isn't a nova, sir.
- What do you mean?
115
00:05:06,841 --> 00:05:07,841
Look at that.
116
00:05:08,361 --> 00:05:09,921
September 10th, nothing.
117
00:05:12,961 --> 00:05:13,801
Yes.
118
00:05:13,881 --> 00:05:15,561
September 15th
119
00:05:16,201 --> 00:05:17,361
it's there.
120
00:05:18,921 --> 00:05:19,921
Yes.
121
00:05:20,841 --> 00:05:22,601
September 25th...
122
00:05:23,561 --> 00:05:24,721
Now, look at that.
123
00:05:24,881 --> 00:05:26,481
Good heavens!
124
00:05:26,601 --> 00:05:28,081
Look at the proper motion!
125
00:05:28,441 --> 00:05:30,001
June, get a message off to Harvard.
126
00:05:30,081 --> 00:05:34,721
When first observed, a position,
proper motion and magnitude.
127
00:05:35,361 --> 00:05:36,961
We must try and, er
128
00:05:37,521 --> 00:05:38,841
trace the speed.
129
00:05:39,361 --> 00:05:41,401
Come on.
I want to have a good look at this.
130
00:05:57,721 --> 00:05:58,721
Diana?
131
00:06:00,721 --> 00:06:02,601
Get me another coffee, will you?
132
00:06:05,441 --> 00:06:06,521
- Here it is.
- Thank you.
133
00:06:06,601 --> 00:06:08,801
Er, not over my scripts, love.
134
00:06:09,481 --> 00:06:11,761
- What's Merchant talking about?
- Er...
135
00:06:11,841 --> 00:06:13,297
Thermodynamics.
136
00:06:13,321 --> 00:06:14,441
- Oh.
- 'Ello, 'ello.
137
00:06:14,521 --> 00:06:16,417
- Nobody doing anything as usual?
- Hello, Peter. How are you?
138
00:06:16,441 --> 00:06:18,417
- Hello, my lovely. Here.
- You clod!
139
00:06:18,441 --> 00:06:19,921
Did you, er, get hold of Ramsay?
140
00:06:20,001 --> 00:06:22,441
Yes. I roughed out a programme.
141
00:06:22,801 --> 00:06:25,081
He's gonna do six programmes for us
starting on the 14th.
142
00:06:25,161 --> 00:06:26,561
Good man. What about money?
143
00:06:26,641 --> 00:06:28,161
Oh, well, that's up to you.
144
00:06:28,241 --> 00:06:30,761
I told him to contact you
the moment he arrived.
145
00:06:30,841 --> 00:06:31,841
Right.
146
00:06:32,281 --> 00:06:33,401
- Peter.
- Uh-huh?
147
00:06:33,481 --> 00:06:34,761
When did you see him?
148
00:06:36,001 --> 00:06:37,681
A few days ago. Why?
149
00:06:37,761 --> 00:06:39,281
Did he say anything about a comet?
150
00:06:41,361 --> 00:06:42,641
A comet? No. Why?
151
00:06:42,721 --> 00:06:45,641
Oh, he did mention a star
that they'd seen on the great telescope.
152
00:06:45,721 --> 00:06:48,161
Er, what was it he said it was called?
A nova.
153
00:06:48,481 --> 00:06:51,081
- That's a star exploding in space.
- Well, it isn't.
154
00:06:51,401 --> 00:06:54,121
We've had a whole lot of reports
these last few days about a comet.
155
00:06:54,201 --> 00:06:56,961
Look. Russia, South Africa,
Japan, the United States.
156
00:06:57,041 --> 00:06:59,521
Half the world's observatories
have reported it.
157
00:07:00,041 --> 00:07:02,081
And they all say
the first report came from Ramsay.
158
00:07:04,201 --> 00:07:07,241
- Then why would he say it was a nova?
- Exactly.
159
00:07:07,401 --> 00:07:09,241
- Hello?
- He's England's top astronomer.
160
00:07:09,321 --> 00:07:12,641
- An expert on spectroscopy.
- Oh, yes, OK. Wait a minute.
161
00:07:12,801 --> 00:07:16,361
Fellow of the Royal Society. Do you think
he'd make a simple mistake like that?
162
00:07:16,441 --> 00:07:17,321
No, I don't.
163
00:07:17,401 --> 00:07:18,721
- Excuse me. He's here.
- Who?
164
00:07:18,801 --> 00:07:19,801
Dr Ramsay.
165
00:07:20,001 --> 00:07:22,121
- He's in reception.
- Ask him to come up.
166
00:07:22,241 --> 00:07:25,361
Peter, this is your chance.
He's a bolshie old bird, hates authority.
167
00:07:25,441 --> 00:07:27,281
Loves to throw a spanner into the works.
168
00:07:27,361 --> 00:07:29,921
Remember the row we had with
the Atomic Energy people last year?
169
00:07:30,001 --> 00:07:31,081
Yes, I covered it.
170
00:07:31,161 --> 00:07:32,497
See if you can get a story. Trip him up.
171
00:07:32,521 --> 00:07:35,681
Ask him why he said it was a nova
when he knew damn well it wasn't.
172
00:07:35,761 --> 00:07:37,761
- Ask him if he's under security wraps.
- Brian?
173
00:07:37,961 --> 00:07:40,121
Dr Ramsay, so nice to meet you.
174
00:07:40,201 --> 00:07:42,201
- How do you do?
- Er, you know Peter, of course.
175
00:07:42,281 --> 00:07:44,057
- Yes, hello.
- Hello, Doctor. Nice to see you again.
176
00:07:44,081 --> 00:07:46,297
- Did you have a good trip?
- Yes, thank you. It was very nice.
177
00:07:46,321 --> 00:07:47,881
Diana will get us some coffee.
178
00:07:47,961 --> 00:07:50,481
- I hope you don't mind paper cups.
- Not at all.
179
00:07:50,561 --> 00:07:53,481
Will you sit down? I'll just get
these scripts out of your way.
180
00:07:53,561 --> 00:07:54,481
Thank you.
181
00:07:54,561 --> 00:07:55,881
Over to you, Peter.
182
00:07:55,961 --> 00:07:57,001
Right, thank you.
183
00:07:57,641 --> 00:07:59,721
Er, well, Doctor, I've
184
00:08:00,041 --> 00:08:01,657
roughed out a script
for the first programme.
185
00:08:01,681 --> 00:08:03,961
- Perhaps you'd like to have a look at it.
- Thank you.
186
00:08:07,321 --> 00:08:10,321
Doctor, you remember that object
you showed me at the observatory?
187
00:08:10,401 --> 00:08:12,841
Yes, we've all been doing
quite a lot of work on it.
188
00:08:12,921 --> 00:08:16,321
There's Rickover at Palomar,
Jung in South Africa and Baranov in Russia.
189
00:08:16,761 --> 00:08:17,921
How far away is it?
190
00:08:18,001 --> 00:08:21,121
Well, it's difficult to establish the
distance, but it's several million miles.
191
00:08:21,161 --> 00:08:22,161
Several million?
192
00:08:22,241 --> 00:08:24,441
- It must be enormous.
- Yes, it is.
193
00:08:25,361 --> 00:08:28,281
Well, let's say, for example,
that it's three million miles away.
194
00:08:28,441 --> 00:08:30,841
It would have to be at least
six miles across to be visible
195
00:08:30,921 --> 00:08:32,761
even to our most powerful instruments.
196
00:08:32,881 --> 00:08:34,081
Six miles?
197
00:08:34,161 --> 00:08:37,521
On the other hand,
it might be 10 or 20 times further away
198
00:08:37,601 --> 00:08:39,561
in which case
it would have to be much larger.
199
00:08:40,041 --> 00:08:41,841
And what's happening about it now?
200
00:08:41,921 --> 00:08:44,361
Well, Challis and Duncan are
working on it at the observatory.
201
00:08:44,401 --> 00:08:46,801
They're going to let me have
the results as soon as possible.
202
00:08:46,841 --> 00:08:49,401
- When will that be?
- In about a week, I should think.
203
00:08:51,921 --> 00:08:53,361
One thing's quite clear, though.
204
00:08:54,441 --> 00:08:56,481
It's not of terrestrial origin.
205
00:08:56,881 --> 00:08:58,161
And it's not a comet.
206
00:08:58,241 --> 00:08:59,881
No, we're quite certain of that.
207
00:09:01,121 --> 00:09:02,161
Then what is it?
208
00:09:03,881 --> 00:09:07,441
That's what the observatories of
the world are trying so hard to find out.
209
00:09:11,321 --> 00:09:14,601
Proper motion,
14 seconds of arc in 24 hours.
210
00:09:14,681 --> 00:09:17,321
Ascension, 24:16:4.
211
00:09:17,401 --> 00:09:20,081
Declination, 39:14:12.
212
00:09:20,241 --> 00:09:24,081
Further observations
will be made at 12:00hrs GMT.
213
00:09:40,921 --> 00:09:43,761
Proper motion,
14 seconds of arc in 24 hours.
214
00:09:43,881 --> 00:09:46,761
Ascension, 24:16.
215
00:09:50,121 --> 00:09:51,721
I just heard from Jodrell Bank.
216
00:09:51,921 --> 00:09:54,937
- They've established the distance.
- I'm more interested in finding its course.
217
00:09:54,961 --> 00:09:56,921
Looks to me as if it's gonna
come pretty close.
218
00:09:57,001 --> 00:09:58,521
I've got the graphs.
219
00:09:58,641 --> 00:10:01,297
At this rate, it should approach
within a few hundred thousand miles.
220
00:10:01,321 --> 00:10:04,001
- Quite a spectacle.
- Yes, and it's growing brighter.
221
00:10:04,521 --> 00:10:06,617
Should be visible without
instruments in a couple of days.
222
00:10:06,641 --> 00:10:09,321
- How's Mike getting on?
- Oh, stuff's pouring in all the time.
223
00:10:09,401 --> 00:10:11,841
He's feeding the computer
as fast as he can
224
00:10:11,961 --> 00:10:13,881
but the results won't be
through for a while.
225
00:10:17,201 --> 00:10:20,121
Shouldn't you have some rest?
You've been at it since 6 o'clock.
226
00:10:20,201 --> 00:10:21,641
Oh, I'm almost through.
227
00:10:22,041 --> 00:10:24,201
Robert, what do you make of it?
228
00:10:24,281 --> 00:10:25,321
The object?
229
00:10:25,921 --> 00:10:27,201
I wish I knew.
230
00:10:27,281 --> 00:10:29,297
I've never seen anything like it before.
231
00:10:29,321 --> 00:10:30,761
Nor has anyone else, it seems.
232
00:10:30,841 --> 00:10:33,281
It's the brightness I find most strange.
233
00:10:33,361 --> 00:10:36,361
It's not what you'd expect
from a cold body of that size.
234
00:10:36,441 --> 00:10:38,681
Perhaps it's composed
of snow or frozen hydrogen.
235
00:10:38,761 --> 00:10:41,041
- That would have a high reflecting power.
- Yes.
236
00:10:41,121 --> 00:10:44,481
Its mass must be enormous,
even if it is snow.
237
00:10:44,561 --> 00:10:45,961
And if it's rock...
238
00:10:46,041 --> 00:10:47,601
Have they worked it out yet?
239
00:10:47,721 --> 00:10:49,201
Its mass? No.
240
00:10:49,481 --> 00:10:50,961
Ah.
241
00:10:51,561 --> 00:10:54,161
I've been comparing its course
with the Earth's orbit.
242
00:10:55,441 --> 00:10:56,561
Duncan here.
243
00:10:56,961 --> 00:10:57,961
Yes?
244
00:11:02,121 --> 00:11:03,321
I see.
245
00:11:05,481 --> 00:11:06,481
Thank you.
246
00:11:06,561 --> 00:11:09,161
Well, how close is it going to come?
247
00:11:09,241 --> 00:11:10,921
Are we going to be able to see it?
248
00:11:14,241 --> 00:11:16,081
It's heading straight for us.
249
00:12:07,281 --> 00:12:08,121
Thank you.
250
00:12:08,201 --> 00:12:10,081
Ah, Prime Minister, here's the report.
251
00:12:10,201 --> 00:12:12,521
Thank you.
What time does Ramsay arrive?
252
00:12:12,681 --> 00:12:14,921
He was due in at London Airport
an hour ago.
253
00:12:15,001 --> 00:12:16,001
I sent a car, of course
254
00:12:16,081 --> 00:12:18,561
- so he should be here at any moment now.
- Good.
255
00:12:20,801 --> 00:12:22,801
Well, according to this, there's no change.
256
00:12:23,361 --> 00:12:25,601
"Object Z", as they're calling it now
257
00:12:26,121 --> 00:12:27,881
is approaching the Earth at high speed.
258
00:12:28,521 --> 00:12:29,721
When will it strike?
259
00:12:30,681 --> 00:12:32,441
If this report is correct
260
00:12:33,521 --> 00:12:35,121
in about six weeks.
261
00:12:35,241 --> 00:12:36,681
Six weeks?
262
00:12:39,321 --> 00:12:41,001
If my memory is correct
263
00:12:41,201 --> 00:12:44,961
the Earth moves round the sun
at a speed of 16 miles per second.
264
00:12:45,761 --> 00:12:47,961
This thing's moving at about 15, isn't it?
265
00:12:48,041 --> 00:12:49,041
That's right.
266
00:12:49,161 --> 00:12:51,721
I'm thinking of relative speeds, John.
267
00:12:51,801 --> 00:12:54,681
If the Earth and this thing
are moving in the same direction
268
00:12:55,121 --> 00:12:56,961
the speed of impact might be quite low.
269
00:12:57,041 --> 00:12:58,361
There might be merely a graze.
270
00:12:58,441 --> 00:13:01,081
Unfortunately, this object
is approaching the Earth
271
00:13:01,161 --> 00:13:02,721
directly into our orbit.
272
00:13:02,801 --> 00:13:06,641
So we combine the speeds,
30 miles a second.
273
00:13:06,761 --> 00:13:07,841
That's right.
274
00:13:11,001 --> 00:13:13,881
- Good evening, Prime Minister.
- Good evening, Ramsay. Do sit down.
275
00:13:15,841 --> 00:13:17,601
- You have your report for me?
- Yes.
276
00:13:21,081 --> 00:13:22,841
There's no change, I'm afraid.
277
00:13:23,481 --> 00:13:26,641
Can you say whether
it will collide directly with the Earth
278
00:13:26,721 --> 00:13:29,121
or strike a glancing blow?
279
00:13:29,241 --> 00:13:32,481
Its course at present is almost
in the plane of the Earth's orbit.
280
00:13:32,641 --> 00:13:35,361
It's likely, for reasons which
I won't bother you with at the moment
281
00:13:35,441 --> 00:13:37,161
to strike a glancing blow.
282
00:13:37,281 --> 00:13:40,121
But even a glancing blow
with an object six miles across
283
00:13:40,201 --> 00:13:42,721
travelling at a combined speed
of 30 miles a second
284
00:13:43,161 --> 00:13:44,881
is likely to be a serious matter.
285
00:13:45,201 --> 00:13:46,321
How serious?
286
00:13:46,401 --> 00:13:48,161
Well, that depends on its composition.
287
00:13:48,281 --> 00:13:50,081
There are two kinds of meteors.
288
00:13:50,161 --> 00:13:51,841
The stony and the metallic.
289
00:13:52,281 --> 00:13:56,081
If this object is stony, then there's
a chance that we might survive the impact.
290
00:13:56,401 --> 00:13:57,761
Some of us, at any rate.
291
00:13:58,441 --> 00:13:59,681
If it's metallic...
292
00:13:59,761 --> 00:14:00,801
Yes?
293
00:14:02,161 --> 00:14:04,321
Then I'm afraid the impact
would be quite sufficient
294
00:14:04,401 --> 00:14:06,041
to destroy all life on Earth.
295
00:14:20,241 --> 00:14:23,081
I'm sorry to have to tell you
this grim news.
296
00:14:23,681 --> 00:14:27,481
You have no way of telling
whether it's stony or metallic?
297
00:14:27,641 --> 00:14:28,961
I'm afraid not.
298
00:14:29,201 --> 00:14:32,081
These shelters we're going to build
299
00:14:32,241 --> 00:14:33,281
will they help?
300
00:14:33,361 --> 00:14:35,537
As you know, every country
on Earth is planning shelters.
301
00:14:35,561 --> 00:14:36,721
Will they be of any use?
302
00:14:36,801 --> 00:14:38,241
Not if this thing is metallic.
303
00:14:40,001 --> 00:14:41,321
There is one hope, though.
304
00:14:41,441 --> 00:14:43,841
- Only a slight hope, I admit, but...
- Well, go on.
305
00:14:43,921 --> 00:14:47,761
We've managed to chart the course of this
object with some considerable accuracy.
306
00:14:48,081 --> 00:14:50,361
I believe that we might
be able to destroy it
307
00:14:51,001 --> 00:14:53,401
or at least deflect it
from its course in space.
308
00:14:53,481 --> 00:14:54,961
How do you mean? With a bomb?
309
00:14:55,321 --> 00:14:57,561
You mean hit it with a
missile of some sort?
310
00:14:57,641 --> 00:14:59,321
- Could that be done?
- It's impossible.
311
00:14:59,601 --> 00:15:01,921
The problem of hitting it with
a bomb of sufficient power
312
00:15:02,001 --> 00:15:04,881
to destroy it is very difficult.
313
00:15:05,481 --> 00:15:08,001
We would need a vehicle
at least three times as powerful
314
00:15:08,081 --> 00:15:09,961
as anything that we have at the moment.
315
00:15:10,241 --> 00:15:13,561
And we would need the equivalent
of a 400-megaton bomb.
316
00:15:14,081 --> 00:15:15,921
400 megaton?
317
00:15:16,121 --> 00:15:18,641
That's twice as large
as anything in existence.
318
00:15:18,721 --> 00:15:19,721
Yes, it is.
319
00:15:19,921 --> 00:15:21,561
Could we build such a machine in time?
320
00:15:21,641 --> 00:15:24,521
Well, I'm not an engineer, sir,
but I believe that it could be done.
321
00:15:24,641 --> 00:15:27,681
If we pool our resources
with the Americans and the Russians
322
00:15:27,761 --> 00:15:29,041
then the project is feasible.
323
00:15:32,401 --> 00:15:34,641
I'm attending
the World Conference next week.
324
00:15:35,321 --> 00:15:36,561
I'll bring the matter up.
325
00:15:57,561 --> 00:15:58,681
Well, that's that.
326
00:16:11,001 --> 00:16:12,401
- Tired?
- A bit.
327
00:16:13,121 --> 00:16:14,961
I find it so strange to think that
328
00:16:15,041 --> 00:16:17,641
we're two of the 20 or 30 people
in the whole world
329
00:16:17,721 --> 00:16:19,081
who are in on the secret.
330
00:16:19,641 --> 00:16:21,121
What do you think they'll do?
331
00:16:21,761 --> 00:16:24,081
When they find out, you mean?
Oh, I don't know.
332
00:16:24,761 --> 00:16:26,761
Depends on your temperament, I suppose.
333
00:16:27,601 --> 00:16:29,001
Some people will pray.
334
00:16:29,201 --> 00:16:30,761
Some people will take to drink.
335
00:16:31,321 --> 00:16:32,321
Thanks.
336
00:16:33,041 --> 00:16:35,481
Some people will do themselves in
rather than face it.
337
00:16:36,441 --> 00:16:38,257
Most people will carry on as usual,
I should think.
338
00:16:38,281 --> 00:16:39,577
There's nothing much else they can do.
339
00:16:39,601 --> 00:16:41,417
Of course, they may be able
to keep it from everyone until...
340
00:16:41,441 --> 00:16:42,601
Until the big bang.
341
00:16:43,121 --> 00:16:44,641
Well, I suppose that would be best.
342
00:16:45,281 --> 00:16:46,721
Everybody looking at it.
343
00:16:47,601 --> 00:16:49,281
Brighter than the full moon.
344
00:16:49,561 --> 00:16:51,881
The most striking thing
the world has ever seen.
345
00:16:53,881 --> 00:16:55,281
And then the impact.
346
00:16:55,841 --> 00:16:57,201
All over in a moment.
347
00:16:57,721 --> 00:16:58,841
No fuss or pain.
348
00:16:58,921 --> 00:17:00,121
What will you do?
349
00:17:02,681 --> 00:17:04,241
What, with my last few days?
350
00:17:08,041 --> 00:17:09,081
Well.
351
00:17:11,321 --> 00:17:13,161
I'd like to begin by marrying you.
352
00:17:14,001 --> 00:17:15,241
I mean it, June.
353
00:17:16,441 --> 00:17:18,081
I can't offer you much future.
354
00:17:18,641 --> 00:17:20,441
Six weeks, to be exact.
355
00:17:21,401 --> 00:17:23,081
But I'd like to spend them with you.
356
00:17:24,961 --> 00:17:26,041
What do you say?
357
00:17:30,281 --> 00:17:31,777
But I don't want to have to cut there.
358
00:17:31,801 --> 00:17:34,001
We'll see how the time goes.
This is the point.
359
00:17:34,081 --> 00:17:36,097
If we can get through to there
in the time, we'll keep it...
360
00:17:36,121 --> 00:17:37,281
One minute, studio!
361
00:17:41,881 --> 00:17:44,601
Dr Ramsay, I must get up to the box.
362
00:17:44,681 --> 00:17:46,057
Good luck. It's all going to be splendid.
363
00:17:46,081 --> 00:17:47,257
- Thank you.
- Good luck. Hurry, Brian.
364
00:17:47,281 --> 00:17:48,497
Now, there's no need to be nervous.
365
00:17:48,521 --> 00:17:50,937
We've had a good run through
and most of it's on film, as you know.
366
00:17:50,961 --> 00:17:52,881
When you're on film,
you can use your script
367
00:17:52,961 --> 00:17:55,297
and the floor manager will tell you
when we're coming back to you.
368
00:17:55,321 --> 00:17:57,057
- Right.
- Now, I'm sorry we had to cut it down
369
00:17:57,081 --> 00:17:58,977
but the Prime Minister's on at nine,
as you know.
370
00:17:59,001 --> 00:17:59,881
Yes, I know.
371
00:17:59,961 --> 00:18:02,521
I wonder what it's about.
A crisis, I suppose.
372
00:18:02,601 --> 00:18:03,521
Yes, I suppose so.
373
00:18:03,601 --> 00:18:04,881
- 30 seconds.
- I must go.
374
00:18:04,961 --> 00:18:06,041
- Good luck.
- Thank you.
375
00:18:06,121 --> 00:18:07,617
What are you doing here?
We start in a moment.
376
00:18:07,641 --> 00:18:09,297
Well, we're from the
observatory in Scotland.
377
00:18:09,321 --> 00:18:11,641
We came straight here to wish him luck.
378
00:18:11,761 --> 00:18:13,201
Get rid of them, for heaven's sake.
379
00:18:13,281 --> 00:18:14,841
- Come on, this way.
- Good luck!
380
00:18:14,921 --> 00:18:16,721
- Good luck!
- Oh, thank you!
381
00:18:16,801 --> 00:18:17,881
15 seconds.
382
00:18:17,961 --> 00:18:19,857
Good luck, Doctor.
Don't worry about a thing. You'll be fine.
383
00:18:19,881 --> 00:18:21,441
Doctor, can you sit here, please?
384
00:18:24,121 --> 00:18:25,241
10 seconds.
385
00:18:25,841 --> 00:18:26,921
Nine.
386
00:18:27,081 --> 00:18:28,081
Eight.
387
00:18:28,241 --> 00:18:29,241
Seven.
388
00:18:29,401 --> 00:18:30,401
Six.
389
00:18:30,561 --> 00:18:31,401
Five.
390
00:18:31,481 --> 00:18:34,201
Music on. Captions, stand by.
391
00:18:37,041 --> 00:18:39,321
Few of us could have looked
at the night sky
392
00:18:39,401 --> 00:18:42,681
without beginning to ask
some profound questions.
393
00:18:43,321 --> 00:18:44,801
Is space infinite?
394
00:18:45,321 --> 00:18:47,401
How did those millions of stars
395
00:18:47,481 --> 00:18:50,281
those galaxies,
thousands of light-years across
396
00:18:50,361 --> 00:18:53,401
and millions of light-years away,
come into existence?
397
00:18:53,761 --> 00:18:55,521
Did the universe have a beginning
398
00:18:55,841 --> 00:18:57,361
and will it have an end?
399
00:18:59,001 --> 00:19:01,081
In the next six weeks...
400
00:19:04,081 --> 00:19:06,441
In... in the next six weeks.
401
00:19:07,081 --> 00:19:08,121
I will try
402
00:19:08,761 --> 00:19:11,121
to give the answers
to some of these questions.
403
00:19:12,241 --> 00:19:13,441
Six weeks
404
00:19:14,041 --> 00:19:15,441
is a short time.
405
00:19:16,561 --> 00:19:18,041
What's the matter with him?
406
00:19:18,241 --> 00:19:19,681
Come on, man. Come on.
407
00:19:19,761 --> 00:19:21,497
I thought for a moment
he was going to break down.
408
00:19:21,521 --> 00:19:22,361
So did I.
409
00:19:22,441 --> 00:19:24,681
- He should never have gone through with it.
- Excuse me.
410
00:19:25,081 --> 00:19:27,681
The name's Wade.
Captain Wade. Security.
411
00:19:28,361 --> 00:19:30,281
- You're June Challis, aren't you?
- Yes.
412
00:19:30,481 --> 00:19:31,481
And you're Duncan?
413
00:19:31,601 --> 00:19:32,601
Yes.
414
00:19:32,721 --> 00:19:35,201
- Security?
- Yes. Special Branch.
415
00:19:35,841 --> 00:19:37,761
- Won't you stay?
- If I may.
416
00:19:37,841 --> 00:19:40,721
I mean, the whole process
probably took millions of years.
417
00:19:41,201 --> 00:19:44,241
At this very moment, there are
thousands of gaseous clouds in space...
418
00:19:48,361 --> 00:19:49,521
Well, thank you, Doctor.
419
00:19:49,681 --> 00:19:52,577
Now, before we close the programme,
I'd like to ask your opinion on something
420
00:19:52,601 --> 00:19:54,641
which I'm sure is
in the mind of all our viewers.
421
00:19:54,721 --> 00:19:56,761
This new object
that's been seen in the sky
422
00:19:56,841 --> 00:19:59,161
and is causing such a sensation
throughout the world.
423
00:19:59,641 --> 00:20:01,401
Has anything like it
ever been seen before?
424
00:20:01,481 --> 00:20:03,297
- Well, how do you mean?
- Well, is it a comet?
425
00:20:03,321 --> 00:20:05,641
Oh, I see. No, it's not a comet.
426
00:20:05,721 --> 00:20:08,481
A comet, as I've said before,
is not a solid object.
427
00:20:08,561 --> 00:20:11,841
It usually, though not always,
exhibits a tail.
428
00:20:12,121 --> 00:20:14,361
The object that we're seeing has no tail.
429
00:20:14,441 --> 00:20:16,121
It appears to be solid, like a meteor.
430
00:20:16,201 --> 00:20:18,121
A meteor. How far away is it?
431
00:20:18,201 --> 00:20:19,801
Oh, several million miles.
432
00:20:19,881 --> 00:20:22,097
Of course, in astronomical terms,
that's really very close.
433
00:20:22,121 --> 00:20:24,001
But it is several million miles away.
434
00:20:24,081 --> 00:20:25,641
Is it likely to get any nearer?
435
00:20:26,001 --> 00:20:29,641
Yes. In the next few weeks, it's likely
to become a very brilliant object.
436
00:20:30,041 --> 00:20:31,761
How close will it come to the Earth?
437
00:20:33,281 --> 00:20:35,441
- Quite close.
- Yes, but how close, Doctor?
438
00:20:35,641 --> 00:20:37,377
Is there any danger
of it striking the Earth?
439
00:20:37,401 --> 00:20:38,801
Oh, it's most unlikely.
440
00:20:38,881 --> 00:20:40,001
But it could happen?
441
00:20:40,081 --> 00:20:42,177
Yes, it could happen.
The Earth is constantly being bombarded...
442
00:20:42,201 --> 00:20:45,097
Thank you, Dr Ramsay. That was the first
of a series of talks on astronomy
443
00:20:45,121 --> 00:20:47,641
by Dr Ramsay,
entitled The Great Machine.
444
00:20:47,921 --> 00:20:50,561
That's all for this week.
Until next week, goodnight.
445
00:20:50,921 --> 00:20:51,921
Just a moment.
446
00:21:01,081 --> 00:21:03,321
That was fine, fine.
You're clear now. Thank you.
447
00:21:03,401 --> 00:21:05,177
Excuse me, sir.
Can I speak to you for a moment?
448
00:21:05,201 --> 00:21:06,897
- Yes.
- What do you mean by barging in like this?
449
00:21:06,921 --> 00:21:08,297
- Don't you know that...
- I'm from Security.
450
00:21:08,321 --> 00:21:10,257
I don't care if you're Elvis Presley.
I won't have anyone...
451
00:21:10,281 --> 00:21:11,721
Brian, the Prime Minister's on now.
452
00:21:11,801 --> 00:21:15,241
- I think he will explain, if you will watch.
- Can we have sound on the floor, please?
453
00:21:17,121 --> 00:21:18,881
I come before you tonight
454
00:21:19,201 --> 00:21:22,201
with news of the gravest
importance to this country
455
00:21:22,321 --> 00:21:23,441
and to the world.
456
00:21:24,441 --> 00:21:26,281
For those of you who are at work
457
00:21:26,641 --> 00:21:28,961
I ask you to lay that work aside
for the moment
458
00:21:29,241 --> 00:21:31,441
and listen to what I have to say.
459
00:21:32,561 --> 00:21:33,841
A few hours ago.
460
00:21:34,481 --> 00:21:36,281
I was present at a conference
461
00:21:36,881 --> 00:21:39,961
at which every nation of the world
was represented
462
00:21:40,401 --> 00:21:42,241
because the whole world
463
00:21:42,321 --> 00:21:45,041
is threatened by a danger
464
00:21:45,401 --> 00:21:50,561
which transcends political
and national considerations of any kind.
465
00:21:52,081 --> 00:21:53,841
The message I bring is this.
466
00:21:54,681 --> 00:21:56,641
An object from outer space
467
00:21:57,081 --> 00:21:59,321
may well pass close to the Earth
468
00:21:59,801 --> 00:22:02,121
before going on
into the vastness of space.
469
00:22:02,681 --> 00:22:03,801
It is possible
470
00:22:03,881 --> 00:22:07,281
and I tell you this in the light of
the best scientific advice available
471
00:22:07,361 --> 00:22:09,841
that it may strike the Earth
a glancing blow.
472
00:22:10,641 --> 00:22:12,041
It is even possible
473
00:22:12,161 --> 00:22:14,961
that it may score
what I can only describe
474
00:22:15,081 --> 00:22:16,361
as a direct hit.
475
00:22:17,281 --> 00:22:19,481
It is for this reason that work has begun
476
00:22:19,841 --> 00:22:22,201
on the building of shelters
against the impact.
477
00:22:22,841 --> 00:22:24,001
As I told you
478
00:22:24,401 --> 00:22:26,641
this thing may well pass us by.
479
00:22:27,481 --> 00:22:29,921
Should this object collide with the Earth
480
00:22:30,401 --> 00:22:32,641
the shock will be very great
481
00:22:33,041 --> 00:22:35,121
and the provision of adequate shelters
482
00:22:35,881 --> 00:22:38,281
is the best chance we have
483
00:22:38,481 --> 00:22:40,601
of preventing severe loss of life.
484
00:22:41,561 --> 00:22:42,841
It is for this reason
485
00:22:43,481 --> 00:22:45,721
that I have asked
members of the opposition
486
00:22:46,201 --> 00:22:49,761
to join me at this moment
in forming a national government
487
00:22:50,121 --> 00:22:52,601
so that this country may be truly united
488
00:22:52,681 --> 00:22:54,681
in the face of the grave danger.
489
00:22:56,081 --> 00:22:57,241
In the meantime.
490
00:22:57,641 --> 00:22:59,001
I ask for calm.
491
00:22:59,801 --> 00:23:02,281
I ask all those of you
who are listening to me
492
00:23:02,601 --> 00:23:05,721
to set an example of
courage and discipline
493
00:23:06,361 --> 00:23:09,401
in face of the grave danger
which threatens us all.
494
00:23:10,361 --> 00:23:11,401
Goodnight.
495
00:23:13,001 --> 00:23:13,881
So that's it.
496
00:23:13,961 --> 00:23:16,361
- I suppose you knew all about it.
- Yes, I did.
497
00:23:16,441 --> 00:23:18,377
Well, Doctor, how long have we got,
about six weeks?
498
00:23:18,401 --> 00:23:20,257
For security reasons,
I'd rather you didn't answer that.
499
00:23:20,281 --> 00:23:21,537
Now, just a minute.
Who the hell do you think...
500
00:23:21,561 --> 00:23:22,897
- Now, look here!
- Will you come with me, sir?
501
00:23:22,921 --> 00:23:24,921
You too, Ms Challis.
Mr Duncan, if you don't mind.
502
00:23:26,441 --> 00:23:28,377
I'm sorry to have
to hustle you off like this, sir
503
00:23:28,401 --> 00:23:30,457
but there's a plane waiting,
and there's a car outside.
504
00:23:30,481 --> 00:23:32,841
- Where are we going?
- Woomera, sir. In Australia.
505
00:23:32,921 --> 00:23:34,121
- Woomera?
- Yes, sir.
506
00:23:34,201 --> 00:23:35,601
That's why I must ask you to hurry.
507
00:23:35,681 --> 00:23:37,057
The plane leaves in a couple of hours.
508
00:23:37,081 --> 00:23:39,201
- What I do about clothes and things?
- I don't know.
509
00:23:39,281 --> 00:23:40,601
Well, well...
510
00:23:40,841 --> 00:23:43,361
So that's it. Poor devil,
no wonder he was so rattled.
511
00:23:43,441 --> 00:23:46,281
He knew all the time, but he was
under pressure from security.
512
00:23:46,681 --> 00:23:49,001
What a day. Let's get out of here.
513
00:23:49,681 --> 00:23:50,777
- Goodnight, Brian.
- Goodnight.
514
00:23:50,801 --> 00:23:52,017
- See you tomorrow.
- See you tomorrow.
515
00:23:52,041 --> 00:23:54,001
- Let's go and have a coffee, shall we?
- Great...
516
00:23:56,001 --> 00:23:58,321
- It's good to get a bit of fresh air.
- Yeah.
517
00:24:00,281 --> 00:24:02,481
Is it my imagination
or is it getting brighter?
518
00:24:02,921 --> 00:24:04,601
It's your imagination.
519
00:24:05,841 --> 00:24:07,921
Just six weeks to live.
40119
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