Out in deepest space lurks a force of almost unimaginable power. Explosions of extraordinary violence, are blasting through the Universe every day. If one ever struck our Solar System it would destroy our Sun and all the planets. For years no one could work out what was causing these awesome explosions. Now scientists think they have identified the culprit. Its the most extreme object ever found in the Universe; they have christened it a hypernova.

Clouds of alien life forms are sweeping through outer space and infecting planets with life – it may not be as far-fetched as it sounds. The idea that life on Earth came from another planet has been around as a modern scientific theory since the 1960s when it was proposed by Fred Hoyle and Chandra Wickramasinghe. At the time they were ridiculed for their idea – known as panspermia. But now, with growing evidence, its back in vogue and even being studied by NASA.

Broadcast date: August 2010
Astronomers based in the UK have discovered the brightest and most massive star to date. But how did it get so big? Sir Patrick Moore and Chris Lintott are joined by one of the team who discovered the star, Dr Richard Parker.

Dramatised documentary, based on the experiences of the soldiers who invaded France in the D Day Normandy Landings on 6 June 1944 which were instrumental in ending World War II.

Dramatised documentary, based on the experiences of the soldiers who invaded France in the D-Day Normandy Landings on 6 June 1944 which were instrumental in ending World War II.

In 1542, the Spanish Conquistador, Francisco de Orellana ventured along the Rio Negro, one of the Amazon Basins great rivers. Hunting a hidden city of gold, his expedition found a network of farms, villages and even huge walled cities. At least that is what he told an eager audience on his return to Spain. The prospect of gold drew others to explore the region, but none could find the people of whom the first Conquistadors had spoken. The missionaries who followed a century later reported finding just isolated tribes of hunter-gatherers. Orellanas story seemed to be no more than a fanciful myth

In a major re-calibration of 20th-century British paintings, art historian James Fox argues that British painting from 1910 to 1975 was an extraordinary flowering of genius. He predicts that art historians of the future will rank the period alongside the Golden Ages of Renaissance Italy and Impressionist France. Drawing upon the work of Paul Nash, Graham Sutherland, Francis Bacon, Stanley Spencer and David Hockney, among others, Fox explores why, during the 20th century, British painters were often dismissed for being old-fashioned. He reveals how these artists carefully reconciled tradition and modernity, providing a unique creative tension that now makes the period seem so exciting.

Professor Brian Cox takes a look through nearly 50 years of BBC archive at the story of mans relationship with the Moon. From the BBCs space fanatic James Burke testing out the latest NASA equipment to 1960s interviews about the bacon-flavoured crystals that astronauts can survive on in space, to the iconic images of mans first steps on the Moon and the dramatic story of Apollo 13, Horizon and the BBC have covered it all.

In this second episode of The Life of Muhammad, presenter Rageh Omaar continues to chart the story of The Prophet Muhammad. Drawing on the expertise and comment from some of the worlds leading academics and commentators on Islam, Omaar assesses and shines a light on key events in Muhammads life including the Night Journey to Jerusalem, his life threatening departure from Mecca, through to the establishment of the Constitution of Medina and the eight year war with the Meccan tribes.

In this second episode of The Life of Muhammad, presenter Rageh Omaar continues to chart the story of The Prophet Muhammad. Drawing on the expertise and comment from some of the worlds leading academics and commentators on Islam, Omaar assesses and shines a light on key events in Muhammads life including the Night Journey to Jerusalem, his life threatening departure from Mecca, through to the establishment of the Constitution of Medina and the eight year war with the Meccan tribes.

How does the Earth work? Richard Hammond goes to go to the centre of the planet to find out. Using a giant 3D virtual Earth, Richard peels back the layers and shows where volcanoes come from, why earthquakes happen and even where to find diamonds. Using stunning CGI, the latest satellite imagery and beautiful locations around the world, the story of how the Earth works has never been seen like this before. And in Richard Hammonds hands it is a story that has never told like this either!

Crumbling, ancient houses are brought back to life by passionate owners as they restore and convert them into striking 21st century homes, unravelling the properties extraordinary past lives through their architectural and social history. St Thomas a Becket church in Somerset is on the heritage critical list and badly in need of rescue. A flood in 1968 led to the churchs eventual deconsecration and it is just one of many churches in Britain that has been declared redundant. Decline in church-going and amalgamation of parishes have put a huge swathe of our architectural heritage in peril.

How does the Earth work? Richard Hammond goes to go to the centre of the planet to find out. Using a giant 3D virtual Earth, Richard peels back the layers and shows where volcanoes come from, why earthquakes happen and even where to find diamonds. Using stunning CGI, the latest satellite imagery and beautiful locations around the world, the story of how the Earth works has never been seen like this before. And in Richard Hammonds hands it is a story that has never told like this either!

A small group of British men have some unfinished family business in Antarctica. One hundred years ago, their ancestors, under the leadership of the renowned explorer Ernest Shackleton, tried and failed to become the first men to reach the South Pole. Following in their footsteps, the team set off on a 900-mile trek across frozen wastelands. Timewatch follows their remarkable journey.

Professor Brian Cox takes a look through nearly 50 years of BBC archive at the story of mans relationship with the Moon. From the BBCs space fanatic James Burke testing out the latest NASA equipment to 1960s interviews about the bacon-flavoured crystals that astronauts can survive on in space, to the iconic images of mans first steps on the Moon and the dramatic story of Apollo 13, Horizon and the BBC have covered it all.

Wounded in the Afghan war Dr. John Watson returns to contemporary London and answers an advert for a flatmate, which brings him to Mrs. Hudsons house at 221b, Baker Street, sharing with brilliant if eccentric private eye Sherlock Holmes. There have been three identical suicides and Inspector Lestrade asks for Sherlocks intervention over the fourth, the suspicious death of Jennifer Wilson. As she lay dying she wrote Rachel in the dust and Sherlock deduces that this was not only the name of her stillborn daughter of many years earlier but the password to her mobile phone. Jennifer sent a text to her killer to give a clue as to their identity. This leads Sherlock to a meeting in a deserted college with a terminally ill serial killer, slaying people for kicks, to show superiority over the rest of society and determined to make Sherlock the next victim.

Storyline: England, at the start of World War Two. Mysterious wireless broadcasts, apparently from Nazi Germany are heard over the BBC. The warn of acts of terror in England, just before they take place. Baffled, the Defence Committee call in Holmes ...

Storyline: England, at the start of World War Two. Mysterious wireless broadcasts, apparently from Nazi Germany are heard over the BBC. The warn of acts of terror in England, just before they take place. Baffled, the Defence Committee call in Holmes ...